Here's the 64-thousand dollar question.
If you are adding brake fluid to a car, how do you know what type is
already in there? What are the dangers of mixing different types?
Jeff
Subject: Re: Dumb Question N0. 2,745
Author: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net> at SMTP
Date: 4/17/98 2:35 PM
Sumner,
Castrol makes a compatible product that is approved. I have found it
available in many auto parts stores. It's called GTLMA Brake Fluid.
Joe Curry
Sumner Weisman wrote:
>
> Barry,
>
> Thanks for the input. When I rebuilt all the hydraulics a coupla years
> ago, I put in Castrol brake fluid labeled "Lucas Girling, Exceeds Dot 3 and
> Dot 4. Now, I can't seem to find this stuff in my local store, and was
> wondering about the silicone, which I've never used. I understand your
> concern about not mixing silicone with the old stuff. If I drain the bleed
> valves at all 4 wheels as well as the clutch slave cylinder, I think that
> there will still be a little old fluid in the system, so I don't think I
> will use the silicone. Guess I'll look around further for the fluid I
> used before. It seems foolish to have to order it by mail.
>
> Sumner
>
> ----------
> > From: Barry Schwartz <bschwart@pacbell.net>
> > To: Sumner Weisman <sweisman@gis.net>
> > Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: Dumb Question N0. 2,745
> > Date: Friday, April 17, 1998 10:29 AM
> >
> > Summer writes:
> > >All my beliefs are being blown out of the water. Here I have been
> > >conscientiously using lead additive in my TR-3, and now people on this
> list
> > >are telling me I don't need it and plain unleaded gas is fine, and that
> the
> > >valves will last for many years.
> > **************************************
> > No all your beliefs are not blown out of the water. If you have a no or
> > pre lead head, AND it has had a steady diet of lead at one time, then
> > enough residual lead remains to lubricate the valves and/or seats. Using
> > unleaded under these conditions and without prolonged high speed/heavy
> load
> > you probably won't see any undue valve seat recession. On rebuild it's
> > false economy to not replace the exhaust valve seats and exhaust valves
> > with ones designed to run on unleaded fuel as you WILL have premature
> > (exhaust) valve and seat wear. If you constantly run your engine to
> > redline, and floor it all the time, then again you will see accelerated
> > valve seat recession with a pre-lead head weather it's had lead at one
> time
> > or not. As for pinging or knocking mentioned in another thread, it IS
> > damaging to your engine no matter how slight. Knocking or pinging is an
> > uncontrolled explosion that puts undesigned stress on the piston crowns,
> > wrist pins, rod bearings and big end bearings. As for you engine system
> > check indicators, they are not designed to indicate wear or problems in
> > those areas and its just a matter of time before something will break or
> > wear out earlier than an engine operated as designed-
> > ****************************************
> > >OK, let me ask about another possible myth I've been living with. What
> > >about the warnings that say that I should only use Girling approved
> brake
> > >fluid? Can I use any good Dot 3 or Dot 4 fluid?
> > ****************************************
> > Yes it has been discussed before but as listers come and go these will be
> > brought up again and again. That's how the new people learn, and I for
> one
> > don't mind repeating. After all we were all *new* listers once :-}.
> Those
> > warnings are valid. If your system is a stock Girling system, that has
> not
> > been rebuilt and ready for new fluid, then DO NOT MIX FLUIDS and don't
> use
> > Dot 3. Dot 4 Girling fluid is designed for the natural rubber seals in
> > your system and using Dot 3 WILL damage those seals causing pre-mature
> > failure. If you have completely rebuilt and flushed the entire system,
> > then you may chose either Dot 5, or Dot 4, but again, NEVER mix fluids,
> > most are not compatible, and after all, with the exception of Dot 5
> > (silicon), these fluids are relatively inexpensive. Why take a chance
> with
> > such important systems in your vehicle just to save a few pennys??
> >
> > Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
> >
> > 72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> > 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
> > 70 Spitfire (project)
> > 73 Ford Courier (parts hauler, rain vehicle, getting a V6 soon!)
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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