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Re: Brake warning block and switch[200/85] posted by Haroon on
Tuesday, 27 February 2001, at 10:29 p.m.
Can synthetic brake fluid cause the leak? I used Valvoline synthetic brake fluid, it had dot 3 and dot 4 rating on it, bought it at walmart.
I was begining to have master cylinder problems and so I bleed the system with that Valvoline syn brand.
I bled it the first time, all circuits. The pedel much seemed stiffer. Then proceded to bleed a second time. My mom was my helper, and after I got done the second time. The master cylinder was gone. No resistance on pumping. A week later the warning valve began to leak, that's when I noticed it.
After that I bought a new master cylinder and used the Preston dot 4 brand. I must have gone 8 bottles of that just bleeding it. Crossed my fingers, luckily no leaks from the calipers.
Re: Brake warning block and switch[200/85] posted by L K Tucker on
Wednesday, 28 February 2001, at 6:09 a.m.
/// I spent 50 hours researching this on the web. That never came up. The designation DOT 3/4 is a marketing ploy. Castrol began using it first; I think. The manufacturers do not want to make two products. DOT 4 is 100% compatible with all applications for DOT 3 (except Aston Martin). DOT 3 is miscible in DOT 4. Web pages in non english speaking countries specify miscible rather than the word "compatible." If your brake fluid says DOT 4 it would normally be compatable with Girling. That is not a guarantee. Web sites for Land Rover, MG, and other english cars make a point that DOT rating is not proof that the fluid will agree with your english brakes.
The loop hole that allows the "Girling problem" is in the SAE Standard for Brake Caliper Seals. This standard allows seal material to be tested, not exclusively with the SAE test fluid, but 'any mutually agreed upon commercial fluid, or the test fluid.' SAE test fluid is an equal part mix of six commercial brake fluids (appendix to Standard j1703). The standard for brake fluid (j1703,4,5) tests only SBR and one other rubber compound. (1999 SAE Manual Vol 2 Chapter 25 Brakes)
From Standard 116 Code of Federal Regulations, the requirement is to follow the auto manufacturer's instructions. Look at the largest type face on the rear of your can of brake fluid.
The only way to be sure is to email Prestone and ask if their synthetic brake fluid is safe to use with Nitrile seals. That is what a former Girling employee I located told me Girling used. There are three ready made Nitrile blends and Girling could have their own blend.
--Larry KC4IAI in Buhl gateway to the University of Alabama