I was always under the impression that water alone would not rust metal. Unless
there is a lot of free oxygen around no significant rust should appear. A bead
of water surrounded by silicone should not do much unless the pipes are made of
sugar.
Mark
1972 TR6
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Randall
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 12:08 PM
To: triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: more TR6 brake issues
> Randall, this seems to conflict with what I have heard on other lists.
> While DOT 5 is not water soluble, and will not absorb water like the other
> fluids, any water that accumulates in the MC and makes it's way to
> the brake lines
> can linger there a separate bubbles of water and rust the components
> from the
> inside out.
>
> Is there evidence to the contrary that I have missed?
Well, the first question is : Has anyone, ever, seen this happen ? The answer
is NO !
Second, a simple experiment ... take a clean baby food jar (or other small,
clear glass container) and add a small amount of DOT 5. Then add a drop of
water. It should be clear that the DOT 5 surrounds the water, and keeps it from
contacting the glass. The water beads up, just like a paint finish that has
been treated with silicone. (Most 'miracle' car waxes use silicone for exactly
that reason, it makes the water bead up.)
Then draw your own conclusion, instead of believing all the myths repeated by
people who have never tried it for themselves. I have this nasty habit of
believing my own experiences over "my friend's brother-in-law's buddy read in
some chat room" ... I've found no truth to any of the wild claims about how
terrible DOT 5 is. I asked once for specific, first-hand accounts of problems,
and no one had any, except for one fellow who said he had seen the "black gunk"
I mentioned (from incomplete cleaning) gum up an ABS valve. That's probably
true ... if your Triumph has ABS then you should probably clean the system
carefully when converting to DOT 5. But being as how ABS is so rare on
Triumphs, I generally don't mention that part.
Randall
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