The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Almost a disaster, a reminder,...and a question

Mart · 01-29-2014, 02:26 AM

Isn't dot 5 silicone? Some of the silicone stuff I have had has been purple.

If it is safe enough to assume it is conventional fluid, I always use dot 4 in preference to dot 3. I did some tests on a clutch slave cylinder years ago and the dot 4 was better.

Top it up, bleed the new stuff through, really check properly for leaks, and check it weekly for a while until you can be sure it is not leaking out. Don't only check for leaks at the wheel cylinders, check every joint and fitting in the whole system.

There may have been a leak or some sort of bleeding problem when first installed and the PO fixed the leak without topping off the fluid. You never know what other people do, you have to start from scratch and sort it out to your own satisfaction. If you are in contact with the PO it wouldn't hurt to ask what fluid they used.

Mart.

01-29-2014, 02:26 AM	#12
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 8,752	Re: Almost a disaster, a reminder,...and a question Isn't dot 5 silicone? Some of the silicone stuff I have had has been purple. If it is safe enough to assume it is conventional fluid, I always use dot 4 in preference to dot 3. I did some tests on a clutch slave cylinder years ago and the dot 4 was better. Top it up, bleed the new stuff through, really check properly for leaks, and check it weekly for a while until you can be sure it is not leaking out. Don't only check for leaks at the wheel cylinders, check every joint and fitting in the whole system. There may have been a leak or some sort of bleeding problem when first installed and the PO fixed the leak without topping off the fluid. You never know what other people do, you have to start from scratch and sort it out to your own satisfaction. If you are in contact with the PO it wouldn't hurt to ask what fluid they used. Mart.