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Brake & Clutch Fluid

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rogerharrop
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:54 am
Location: Watlington, Oxon
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Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by rogerharrop »

What brake and clutch fluid should I use for the Dart? Dot4?
Many thanks
Roger

A.N.Other
Wide Man
Wide Man
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:45 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by A.N.Other »

I would yes. DOT4 is perfectly adequate.
Colin,
I may be slow but I’m rough as well !

rogerharrop
Posts: 116
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 11:54 am
Location: Watlington, Oxon
Contact:

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by rogerharrop »

Many thanks Colin

faeton
Posts: 103
Joined: Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:31 pm

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by faeton »

I have used silicone fluid in all my classics Brakes and Clutches for over 30years with no problems . Many years ago before the advent of free road tax I used to lay my cars up over the Winter , After the Winter lay up I always had issues with brakes , Master cylinder wheel cylinder etc seizing due to water being absorbed into the brake fluid [Hydroscopic]. I live in a particularly damp part of the country and damp garages . One particular car a Frogeye Sprite , the master cylinder rusted causing fluid to run down over the sill damaging the paint.
I had read all the scare stories about the problems of using silicone . Brake fade etc , despite this I decided to give it a go , I have never had a problem .My Dart 20 years . Mercedes 230sl 5yrs,and many other cars. Anther advantage over dot 4 is you don't have to change the fluid every few yeas as it is not hydroscopic.
I was told that the American military use silicone in all their vehicle , The only problem I could see was using a car for competition or really hard driving .

Dave
..

User avatar
Jez
Posts: 89
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 8:00 am

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by Jez »

I would echo Dave's views on using Silicon DOT5 fluid, but be aware that it doesn't mix with other types of Brake Fluid, so an existing system should be thoroughly bled through before use. I haven't got around to changing the fluid on the Dart's brakes yet, as the existing fluid is still fine when tested with a hydrometer, but the clutch slave cylinder failed last year which presented the ideal opportunity for a change. It bled through easily and feels just the same as before to use - and I won't need to change it again until something else breaks!

Cheers - Jez
Jez Stow
1960 Daimler Dart
and a few other toys

classiclife
Classic Wise Man
Classic Wise Man
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Location: Ridgewood - East Sussex
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Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by classiclife »

Hello,

This graph may prove useful.

Regards.

Richard.
Attachments
Brake Fluid Compatibility.PNG
1968 Daimler V8-250 Saloon
DLOC East Sussex Branch Secretary
DLOC 2.5L V8 & V8-250 Registrar - https://www.dloc.org.uk/v8-250
DLOC 2024 International Rally - https://www.dloc.org.uk/rally-2024

faeton
Posts: 103
Joined: Mon Feb 29, 2016 9:31 pm

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by faeton »

Further to Jez reply.as he said. silicone dot 5 will not mix with other brake fluids . Most silicone fluids come with a small label which you can attach to the reservoir to avoid confusion. I have not found it necessary to strip and clean cylinders when changing fluid . providing all the cylinders are well bled and all old fluid is expelled there shouldn't be a problem.

Dave

smithgor
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2017 9:13 pm
Location: West Yorkshire, UK

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by smithgor »

I used silicone dot5 fluid after rebuilding all the calipers with stainless pistons 2 years ago. I'd read various scare stories about getting softer/spongier pedal but decided, like Dave says, doing away with the risk of water in the fluid during a lay up outweighed the risk. Anyway, I'm well pleased with the outcome so will flush through and change the clutch fluid in due course.

A.N.Other
Wide Man
Wide Man
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 12:45 pm
Location: Leeds

Re: Brake & Clutch Fluid

Post by A.N.Other »

I also like the idea of technological improvements to ease the way we live so I don’t disagree with DOT 5. I just think that DOT 4 is good enough. I guess I’m a bit of a stick in the mud. I quit like the idea of actually doing regular maintenance on the cars I run.
I am also lucky that my garage is well ventilated and I have never experienced any damp problems.
I have not found any drastic problems to cause concerns on track days either. (Perhaps I’m the guy that holds up everyone!).
I am lucky that my wife lets me drive her relatively new car which is full of tech that is just for the sake of tech. It brakes, turns on the lights and wipers and locks and unlocks all by its self. It also goes like the clappers which is very entertaining. So although I like to drive it, it does wind me up when it does things that I feel It doesn’t need to do.
One thing I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole is waterless coolant.
Colin,
I may be slow but I’m rough as well !

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