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GIN51E
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Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 04:14

Ok, you have dot this and dot that most common is dot 3 and dot 4 in road cars but what is the actuall diffeence between all the dots of brake fluid? [Report message to a moderator]

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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 04:32

I am not 100% sure, however as noone else has posted I thought I'd add to the discussion. Please don't take this as gospel. I believe that DOT3 fluids are mineral based and DOT 4 fluids are partly (fully synthetic?) and DOT 5 fluids are all synthetic. [Report message to a moderator]

manipulate
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 05:23

I heard it had something to do with boiling pt ? [Report message to a moderator]

gianttomato
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 05:43

It's to do with boiling points. All I remember is the higher the DOT number, the higher the boiling point. A little search revealed this. Dot 5 is silicone based and should NOT be mixed with DOT 3 or 4 - it can result in corrosion of the braking system. However, DOT 5.1 (like the APRacing or Motul fluid) is glycol based (like DOT 3 and 4) and so can be mixed. Of course, the best results are obtained with a complete flush as any mixing with the lower DOT fluids will lower the boiling point of the DOT 5.1 fluid. You will notice that the fluids have a dry and wet boiling point - this reflects the hygroscopic nature of brake fluids, and the effect on boiling point that adsorption of water into the fluid has. This is why it is recommended one bleeds their brakes at least yearly. The silicone based fluids have a high boiling point, are not hygroscopic and don't damage paint. The main problem is that it is quite viscous so air bubbles remain trapped in the fluid unless you pour very carefully. Apparently it is very hard to get a hard pedal. I have never used it so I don't speak from experience. [Updated on: Sat, 05 July 2003 05:52] [Report message to a moderator]

manipulate
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 05:46

yeah ive also heard the Silicone based ones are less hygroscopic [Report message to a moderator]

gianttomato
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 05:55

Silicone ones don't absorb water at all. I believe the vintage car guys use it so they don't roger their expensive paint jobs and don't have to resleeve their precious (and rare) braking systems. Also DOT3 fluid eats natural rubber, and most vintage cars use(d) this in their seals. EDIT: Another website outlining the pro, cons and tips for young players. [Updated on: Sat, 05 July 2003 05:59] [Report message to a moderator]

ae86drift
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 06:15

call me a newbie, but how do you completely flush a brake line? and with what? also what DOT number is reccommened for an AE86 with braided brake lines and an aftermarket master cylinder with brace? [Updated on: Sat, 05 July 2003 06:30] [Report message to a moderator]

GIN51E
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 08:21

Well it looks to me the best is Dot 4 and you can use it in pretty much any car, looks like i will be using dot 4 then which is good as thats what we have at work thanks for the site gianttomato its very good. [Report message to a moderator]

GIN51E
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 08:26

also ae86drift, best way i see to flush out a brake system is get an air compressor and a brake bleeder which is just a bottle that connects in the air line and sucks in through a tube, Stick the tube in the master cylinder and suck all the fluid out, then top up with new stuff Then go to the back left and suck the fluid out until you start to see the new fluid coming through then close the nipple and open slightly until you see no more slight bubles coming out then close off, then do the same to the right rear, then the left front then the right front and your brakes are bled make sure you top up the master cylinder with new fluid while you do it so it doesn't run out. [Report message to a moderator]

gianttomato
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Re: Join the Dots on brake fluid???	Sat, 05 July 2003 08:26

Most readily available brake fluid is DOT4. Different DOT4 fluids have different boiling points, different water absorption rates and different wet boiling points, so pick the best one. If your car sees occasional track work, then I'd recommend DOT 5.1. This is around $40 a litre. True racing spec brake fluid has a dry boiling point of 300 degrees C. However it is very expensive, is quite hygroscopic and the wet boiling point is lower than some of the DOT 5.1 stuff, such that ideally you ought to bleed it very frequently. That becomes pretty expensive - OK if you're racing for sheep stations, but not if it's just for fun. Look here for a chat about some different bleeding techniques. [Report message to a moderator]

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