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brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Fred Farqwart on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 5:31 p.m.
I have a '66 1800, and am in the process of replacing all of the seals. my question is whether or not these stock seals will work with DOT 5 brake fluid. I'd rather use since its not hydrophylic, but I'm wary of the seals. Anyone have any definate infor for me on this one? Thanks...
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Glenn Goodspeed on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 9:40 p.m.
Silicone (DOT 5) brake fluid may not be hygroscopic, but you still have to change it periodically to keep the brake lines clean and free of condensed moisture. It will work fine with stock seals. It is best to replace all seals in the calipers, wheel cylinders, and master cylinder, and flush the system with alcohol before filling with silicone fluid. Kits are available at local auto supply stores for this job. -Glenn.
Goodspeed's Volvo 1800 Newsletter
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Topi on
Monday, 24 November 1997, at 11:33 p.m.
Let me know if you have any brakes left with silicone fluid! 142 and 240 calibers CAN NOT be bled with silicone brake fluid, but I don't know about single system 122/P1800 calibers. I use silicone fluid for clutches only. Silicone fluid must be changed MORE often than the regular one. Silicone fluid doesn't absorbe water. Everything will be corroded faster if not. So why to use it.....
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Glenn Goodspeed on
Tuesday, 25 November 1997, at 8:03 p.m.
Why use silicone fluid, indeed! I'll admit I have never tried it, for the reason you pointed out. You have to change fluid periodically anyway, so it doesn't matter whether it's hygroscopic or not.
But I'm mystified as to why 142 and 240 calipers can't be bled with silicone fluid. Seems like anything you pour in the master cylinder will come out the bleed plug when you pump the pedal. -Glenn.
Goodspeed's Volvo 1800 Newsletter
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by orson on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 8:02 a.m.
It is a common misconception that just because DOT5 does not absorb moisture, your brake system will be free of moisture. Water will still accumulate in your brake lines. Moisture seeps through hoses and joints no matter what your brake fluid is. The only difference is that with DOT3 and DOT4 fluids, water is absorbed whereas with DOT5 fluid, water tends to accumulate in pockets. Having the fluid absorb the fluid is considered preferable since absorption distributes the water throughout the brake system instead of concentrating it in one spot where it can cause spot-corrosion.
This is one reason that DOT5 is not recommended for cars with ABS -- the ABS hydraulic unit has many nooks and crannies that can hold pockets of water.
No OEM manufacturer that I'm aware of uses DOT5, including cost-is-no-object cars like Lamborghini and Lotus. Take this as a cue and stick with DOT3/DOT4.
Let me also add that I am aware of at least one master cylinder (in a non-Volvo car) that is compatible with DOT3 fluid but is NOT compatible with DOT4 fluid. I would stick with the original fluid recommendation.
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Topi on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 10:13 a.m.
Yes Glenn...I have no idea why you can't bleed 142/240 calibers with silicon fluid! Believe me, I tried and tried but the pedal never got hard. After one stage (this was on a rally car) the pedal went half way down and needed to be bled again. My guess is there're pockets inside and air won't get out completetly. The bleeding screws are not at the highest point or at the highest pressure point so air will stay there.Or maybe silicon fluid's elastic? After changing to the cheapest normal fluid I got brakes back - and will NEVER try silicon again! I got two cases of this DOT5 crap as a sponsorship, and ended to give it away with instructions: " Use for clutch system only!" I also know a Motul dealer who races and he doesn't use his own product! He doesn't like the "mussy" feel. (Motul is the most expensive silicon fluid). Castrol will work even on a race car, why use anything else? And it's cheap!
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Wednesday, 26 November 1997, at 10:20 a.m.
Funny, all by wealthy Corvette resto' buddies use ONLY silicon fluid after their expensive brake resleave/rebuild exercises......
Me, I use the cheap stuff myself. Maybe now I can do so and not feel guilty!
Re: brake fluid....[ALL/1998] posted by Mark Klein on
Thursday, 27 November 1997, at 8:29 p.m.
The best fluid I have used is the Motul 300C DOT4. I use this in my dirt bike (which is extremely hard on fluid- needs to be flushed on a regular basis)and it performs far better than conventional fluids. I could not tell any benefit, performance-wise, from the Castrol LMA fluid.