16 replies to this topic

[Compdoc]

As I am replacing all the braking components and pipework on my car, I thought it would be a good time to start using silicone brake fluid.

Minispares, usually my first port of call, don't seem to stock it so went searching and found prices for 1 litre ranging from £18.59 (Dynolite brand from Moss) to £65.82 (automec brand from ebay).

Some mention dot 5 and some don't. JC Classics (Dynolite brand - £32.90) quote, "Equivalent to dot 5".

I thought that having a standard like dot 5 meant that all brands would be to the same quality, so is the huge price variation just down to market forces or is there really a difference between brands?

 

 

[nicklouse]

it is *******. but if you do use it, it is very different to filling and bleeding due to the fact it does not release air bubbles easily so you need to be vey careful not to introduce any bubbles filling and bleeding. then as it is not water miscible any water that does enter thy system (and it does) sinks to the lowest part of the system normally a piston. and then your brakes are as good as water. not to mention the rust.

 

and they still recommend changing the fluid every couple of years.

 

oh the only good thing is that it is paint friendly.

[Spider]

I find it great stuff, I have it in one of my cars, but in hindsight, I wouldn't bother again and hence why I only have one on it.

 

If you do end up using it, pour it in the Master Cylinder very slowly and as an added precaution, let it stand for a few hours before bleeding and I'd advise to do this every time you top the master cylinder up. This is to reduce air bubbles trapped in the fluid and tat seems to be one big complaint with it.

[gav]

Just a heads up, AP will not warranty any Mini brake component that has been in contact with silicone fluid.

[mini13]

presumably because they may have been assembled with a glycol based fluid in the factory.

[harrythehat]

Personally I would not go with all the bother unless your racing around a track, dot 4 is more than ample for everyday use and it can stay in the system a tad longer

[nicklouse]

Personally I would not go with all the bother unless your racing around a track, dot 4 is more than ample for everyday use and it can stay in the system a tad longer

I would not put it anywhere near a race car totally unfit for purpose. some race spec DOT 3 or 4 is way more suitable.  and the reason they may be DOT3 is they do not pass all the requirements for the higher numbers but far exceed the relevant ones for racing.

[Compdoc]

An interesting, (but a bit long winded) article by Moss on "Brake fluid for classic British cars" http://www.mossmotor...c-british-cars/

seems to suggest that all of the brake fluid available requires some maintenance within 12 - 36 months of installation.

[nicklouse]

I should also like to add the US forces have been looking for a way out of using the silicon fluid for some years. but they have not worked out how to do it as yet.

[mini13]

dot 5.1 if you want to go totaly overkil...

[nicklouse]

dot 5.1 if you want to go totaly overkil...

or is your other car uses it. Note DOT4 super and DOT4 plus are just better than DOT4 but sometimes dont meet all the DOT5.1 requirements (but often they do but the makers did not want to add the DOT5(.1) confusion).

[Cooperman]

For road cars I use DOT 4. For rally cars I use 'AP Racing Radi-Cal R2 (which was AP600)'. It is available from Demon Tweeks and mixes with the old AP600. It is also suitable for race/hill-climb/sprint cars, but totally unnecessary for road use.

[pogie]

To add to the Glycol/Silicon argument.  I read an interesting article by Keith Calver a while ago and the final sentence has stuck in my mind ever since:-

 

"And just to underline this, neither of the major brake specialist companies in England produces silicone based brake fluid. In fact they are most emphatic in their condemnation of it. Think on."

 

The article is dated 2005 and maybe the situation has changed but I'll be sticking with glycol.  

 

http://www.minispare...silicone-valley

[Chris1992]

I used silicon brake fluid for a couple years and found it to be great. Granted my car is a show car though (hence why I didn't want to be ruining my paint with regular brake fluid in case of a spill), so I can't speak for people who push their cars on track. 

[govig]

I can't think of any good reason to use 5.1 in a Mini.