Overfilled brake/clutch fluid reservoir

[Passatman10]

Due to the opaque nature of my aging 2001 Passat 1.9 TDI pd Estate I have inadvertently overfilled the brake fluid header tank. I have syphoned out as much as I can but this only gets the level down to the mesh filter in the filling aperture, well above the MAX level. The mesh filter does not seem to want to come out so that I could lower the level further, and short of bleeding some out via a nipple which I want to avoid, I am at a loss how to get the stuff out. There is a yellow plug in the top of the resevoir with a recessed slot for a screwdriver but without knowing what would result if I removed it I am reluctant to touch that. Any advice appreciated. Am 66 and perhaps shouldn't be doing this anymore but with garage costs as they are am forced to. Thanks

[PeteK]

I can't see this causing any issues - I recently had the brake fluid changed by my local VW specialist and was a little disappointed to get the car back to find the fluid right up to the top of the reservoir with signs of it having spilled down onto the brake servo. Like yourself I just syphoned out what I could and left it level with the mesh filter (I couldn't get this to come out either!). As the brake pads wear down the fluid level will start to drop anyway.