Brake fluid

[GOgle]

I dont want to start a fire BUT what brake fluid to you all recommend? I just ordered my pressure bleeder so I figure I have a few days to decide... . Thanks in advance... Garth... . With my fire suit on

 

[QRTRHRS]

I like Valvoline Synpower. Meets/exceeds DOT 3 & 4. Readily available and reasonably priced.

 

[Eric_77]

Second the Valvoline used it in race bikes since 98/99 really top level stuff for the price; the full on race stuff has only a slightly higher boiling point and is 3-4 times the price and shelf life is much shorter.

 

[GOgle]

thanks!

 

[HEMI®Dart]

What about that new D. O. T 5 fluid I read about in the new TDR from Genos?

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by HEMI®Dart

What about that new D. O. T 5 fluid I read about in the new TDR from Genos?

dot5 fluid is silicon based and looks like barney pee [purple in color] and is extremely hyrdoscopic [absorbs water like a sponge] and iirc, is not compatable with dot3-4. so if you get a leak on the road, you can't top up with the 3 or 4, but if you flush out your old stuff with dot5 it'll work.

 

[E7mack96]

Go with the new DOT 5. 1 It is compatable with DOT 3 and DOT 4, but with DOT 5 properties

 

[Eric_77]

nickleinonen you have the DOT 5 backwards it does NOT absorb water (it is silicone based as opposed to gycol in 3/4) and the water that does form in brake system "puddles" in the brake system resulting in a portion of system being water with boiling point of 212 (not really but essentially) which can cause localized freezing and boiling. More info is in the new TDR(issue 43) page 16. It should not be used in DOT3/4 brake system.



Okay looking over the brands we have raced with or looked at purely the manf specs and our finding of wet brake fluid needing changing or brakes had become spongy (not very scientific as some tracks are harder braking then others and humidty varied as well)

Brand/ price/ dry boiling point/ Wet boiling point/ time between changes

Castrol GTLMA $ 446 311 every 4 hours (we overheated this BAD)

Valvoline Synpower$$ 502 343 every 20 hours

Motul600 $$$ 593 420 every 6 hours

Motul5. 1 $$$$ unk 365 never tried

SilkoleneProrace2000$$$$ 572 383 never tried but I intend to try this next year.

Ferodo5. 1 $$$ 500 unk never tried



Price key per quart/liter $=<5 $$=<10 $$$=<20 $$$$=>30



Here are some of the websites for ref.

http://silkolenestore.com/prod_detail.asp?ProductID=287 http://www.motul.com/uk/produits/index.html http://www.ferodo.co.uk/ferodo_home/

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=51





I will restate this the BF with higher boiling points have without exception required changing more often (twice as often normal)and cost a lot more.



Oh this should be repeated do NOT use DOT5 the seals are different and can cause issues; drying out of seals thus leaks.

 

[fkovalski]

Changing the brake fluid...

Is gravity bleeding a sufficient method of getting all (or most) of the old out? I don't have a power bleeder but would like to open all valves, drain over night then fill with fresh. I live in a very dry climate, but should I be concerned about introducing moisture by using this method? Comments... ?

 

[Eric_77]

fkovalski, don't do that!!! It is very hard to bleed the air back out of the system as the brake system does not like to push air, a power bleeder would be a must at that point.



Do you know how to bleed brakes?



Two man operation. one to apply brakes and one to relaese the bleeder with cleam hose into clear cup (clear so you see color and material coming out of brake system)starting at right rear tighten bleeder then have partner release brakes. repeat. after about 5-6 cycles refill brake resevoir. continue until brake fluid is bubble free and yellow not brown. then left rear, front right, left front; repeat all wheels again to insure you have gotten it good and clean.



Takes about 1 1/2 quarts to bleed a LWB extd cab and about 45 minutes.

 

[dpuckett]

fkovalski-

If you just want to flush the old crap out of there, you CAN (though some may recommend against it) do it as a one person job. Just do like Eric_77 said, but keep the bleeder open (with the hose attached), and depress the pedal, refilling the MC after 6-8 cycles. If you use a long enough hose, you can see the clear fluid some in the hose, and not have to squat under the truck everytime. Takes me about 25min, normally.



Daniel

 

[fkovalski]

Daniel, Eric- Thanx for the info. I was just trying to see if gravity bleeding was recomennded. I have done brakes before, but not on the Dodge yet. Guess I'll have to bribe a friend with a six pack or two to help me out. Thanks! -frank.