Has anyone just used SRF and not bled brakes before HPDE?
02-06-2018, 04:58 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Has anyone just used SRF and not bled brakes before HPDE?
I was looking and SRF has pretty high wet boiling point (518)- probably about what the boiling point of the RBF600 is after quick 1qt bleed and 1 session if I had to guess.
I do 1-2 events a month. I'd much rather flush the whole system with SRF every 2-3 months than 1 quart every event. Bleeding fluid kinda sucks.
I do 1-2 events a month. I'd much rather flush the whole system with SRF every 2-3 months than 1 quart every event. Bleeding fluid kinda sucks.
Popular Reply
02-16-2018, 10:26 AM
Melting Slicks
I use SRF and rarely bleed my brakes. Maybe once or twice a year? Here is an analysis a friend did on brake fluids, I don't think she would mind me sharing here. Her results show exactly what I have experienced, SRF doesn't go bad over time, in fact it seems to get better. I'm still using bottles that I've had for years. Also, it's likely that people are bleeding brakes too often for no real reason if you use SRF. Once or twice a year should be fine. I've never had a soft pedal with SRF so it's just preventative maintenance.
Brake fluid boiling point (in degrees Fahrenheit) was measured using the OTC 3890 device, at the middle to end of April, 2017. Thanks to Khurram who let me
borrow the OTC 3890 over the past couple of weeks. Successive numbers mean
the fluid was tested more than once.
MOTUL
Motul 600 (wet/dry boiling point--594/421):
1/2 full bottle, opened 1 wk before testing: 577
<1/2 bottle opened on 11/9/15: 496
the above 11/9/15 fluid in the Miata, tested from reservoir: 396/399
>2/3 bottle stored in truck, opened at least 3 yrs ago: 554
>2/3 bottle stored in garage, opened at least 3-5 yrs ago: 541, brown appearance
Motul 660 (wet/dry boiling point--617/399):
1/4 bottle, at least 2 yrs old: 424
CASTROL SRF (wet/dry boiling point--590/518)
Fresh bottle, just opened: 590
Fluid/bottle opened 7 wks prior to testing, driven on track for 273 miles
(1 event):
In bottle, 1/3 full: 601/603
In C5 brake reservoir: 604/599
In C5 clutch reservoir: 590
out of front passenger caliper: 574
Fluid/bottle opened 8/2016, 3/4 of a bottle: 606/597/601
Henry's bottle opened 11/2014: 601
ATE Gold:
Black E46, flushed 3/2017: 547
Blue E36 M3, flushed 11/2014: 464
Starlet, fluid 1 year old (I think): 486
BMW: DOT 4, 1/2 of 13oz bottle, opened a week prior to test: 532/529
Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3/4
in truck reservoir, flushed in ~11/2016: 504
fresh fluid: pending
in white M3: flushed 2/28/16 : 468
in green M3: flushed 2/2016 :464
Unknown type of fluid at least 4 yrs old, tested in reservoir: 394
My conclusion is that stored fluid, especially in a relatively full bottle,
can maintain a high boiling point, even over years!
Brake fluid boiling point (in degrees Fahrenheit) was measured using the OTC 3890 device, at the middle to end of April, 2017. Thanks to Khurram who let me
borrow the OTC 3890 over the past couple of weeks. Successive numbers mean
the fluid was tested more than once.
MOTUL
Motul 600 (wet/dry boiling point--594/421):
1/2 full bottle, opened 1 wk before testing: 577
<1/2 bottle opened on 11/9/15: 496
the above 11/9/15 fluid in the Miata, tested from reservoir: 396/399
>2/3 bottle stored in truck, opened at least 3 yrs ago: 554
>2/3 bottle stored in garage, opened at least 3-5 yrs ago: 541, brown appearance
Motul 660 (wet/dry boiling point--617/399):
1/4 bottle, at least 2 yrs old: 424
CASTROL SRF (wet/dry boiling point--590/518)
Fresh bottle, just opened: 590
Fluid/bottle opened 7 wks prior to testing, driven on track for 273 miles
(1 event):
In bottle, 1/3 full: 601/603
In C5 brake reservoir: 604/599
In C5 clutch reservoir: 590
out of front passenger caliper: 574
Fluid/bottle opened 8/2016, 3/4 of a bottle: 606/597/601
Henry's bottle opened 11/2014: 601
ATE Gold:
Black E46, flushed 3/2017: 547
Blue E36 M3, flushed 11/2014: 464
Starlet, fluid 1 year old (I think): 486
BMW: DOT 4, 1/2 of 13oz bottle, opened a week prior to test: 532/529
Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3/4
in truck reservoir, flushed in ~11/2016: 504
fresh fluid: pending
in white M3: flushed 2/28/16 : 468
in green M3: flushed 2/2016 :464
Unknown type of fluid at least 4 yrs old, tested in reservoir: 394
My conclusion is that stored fluid, especially in a relatively full bottle,
can maintain a high boiling point, even over years!
02-06-2018, 05:41 PM
#2
Drifting
I run SRF in both GT2 race cars. Fluid holds up for a weekend of racing (1 day, or less, of practice, two quals, two sprint races). Always bleed before the next weekend. If the pedal feels soft I'll bleed if needed.
I concur
02-06-2018, 07:47 PM
#5
I run SRF and I flush them once at the beginning of the season and might flush them once during the season because the fluid starts to look dark. I probably average about two events a month from March through November. No issues.
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village idiot (02-07-2018)
02-07-2018, 12:46 PM
#6
Similar to Poor-sha, I start season with fresh fluid (Motul) and run that for 5 days. New fluid goes in prior to mid-July event @ WGI (heavy braking track) and I run that for the remainder of the year, another 5 - 6 events. With Quantum duct kit, I have yet to have an issue.
02-07-2018, 02:25 PM
#7
Drifting
Subscribed,
I've changed over to SRF this winter from Motul 600. I've also upgraded to an AP front BBK. I've heard from several people who say they don't bleed their brakes for every DE event because they use SRF. Love the concept of less maintenance, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it. I still change synthetic oil in my DD after 3500 miles.........
I've changed over to SRF this winter from Motul 600. I've also upgraded to an AP front BBK. I've heard from several people who say they don't bleed their brakes for every DE event because they use SRF. Love the concept of less maintenance, but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it. I still change synthetic oil in my DD after 3500 miles.........
02-07-2018, 02:36 PM
#8
Safety Car
Member Since: Sep 2014
Location: in the country North Carolina
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I changed from Motul to SRF and like the SRF better but I think bleeding is cheap life insurance. If a quart of SRF will stop you from going to the track then maybe staying home is a good idea.
02-07-2018, 03:44 PM
#10
My experience with SRF is like the others--much better. Bought the plastic line and syringe and can't wait to bleed the clutch slave with it come spring using the "improved ranger" method.
02-07-2018, 03:50 PM
#11
Safety Car
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I'd stick with the Motul 600 unless you do a true bleed. The SRF may not be compatible with what's in it. I use the Motul for the clutch and it works fine there. I also have a remote bleeder so I can keep it clean.
02-07-2018, 04:48 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
If I'm going to bleed every time, I'm just going to use RBF. Not need for SRF if I am going to bleed with RBF. Also, when I bleed with RBF, I basically bleed half the system. If I'm opening a bottle, might as well use the whole thing.
02-07-2018, 04:49 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Awesome. I was thinking I'd flush it once every 4-5 events.
02-07-2018, 05:23 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-07-2018, 07:18 PM
#16
Advanced
It's in a 5th gen camaro on very sticky tires but with 6-pistons, ducts and track pads. The weight just fries brakes and I'm unwilling to gut the car. I run all over the southeast. I had some off track adventures when things overheated with the Motul but none since switching to SRF.
02-07-2018, 07:47 PM
#17
Drifting
Originally Posted by synner
I'd cook Motul in a weekend easily, SRF I bleed after 2 full weekends so I consider worth the extra money to help save my back from maintenance.
02-07-2018, 07:56 PM
#18
Melting Slicks
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Location: Rochester NY
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2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10, '17
I run SRF in my C6Z which is a dedicated track car. It definitely holds up longer than Motul. I bleed once a month, which usually equates to 6 track days. I will also typically bleed prior to a 3 day event (regardless of how long since last time) if I know I am going to be beating the crap out of the car in an advanced/open track group for 3 straight days. It gives me piece of mind and I then don't have to worry/fret about it. Same thing with pads. Fresh front pads if I am doing an extended event, regardless of what happens to be on there.
In most of the advanced groups I am in almost all of the guys I know start the weekend with fresh pads and brake fluid (including me).
In most of the advanced groups I am in almost all of the guys I know start the weekend with fresh pads and brake fluid (including me).
02-07-2018, 08:31 PM
#19
Racer
I cooked it once with a TT-RS at NHMS, not fun at all. That's when I switched to SRF. No issues since.
02-07-2018, 10:00 PM
#20
Pro
I've run multiple weekends over a span of 6-months on SRF with no issue in my C5, but do have a have large PFC BBK with ducts. If you do feel the pedal start to go long / spongy, go strait in and flush it. I've heard from a reliable source that once it starts to go, it goes fast.