JrRifleCoach
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- Veteran Field #1St. Jude '03 thru '24
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I siphon the reservoir out and bleed the brakes at least once a year.Originally Posted by American Raven
I looked at the owner's manual for this car and guess what? There is no info on changing brake fluid, only for checking the fluid level in the MC.
If you pay close attention to the reservoir, you'll see that the fluid collects moisture and starts to cloud up very quickly.
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After a couple races mine is black as night. I do mine 2-3 times a year or after so many events.
Do you use silicone brake fluid? I was told that I should not use silicone fluid because it will destroy the ABS-something. Was I told right or is he wrong?Originally Posted by Kubs
After a couple races mine is black as night. I do mine 2-3 times a year or after so many events.
I have a 90 convertible, by the way.
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I haven't changed mine for about 2 years, I'm wondering if I'm due.
I can't really tell a difference in braking that I can't attribute to having new pads in place. The brake pedal feels the same and the car stops the same. Psychologically I "feel" the car stops better because I know I what I removed and what I replaced: The fluid and pads.Originally Posted by RonsRed88
With fluid that dirty what kind of symptoms did you experience? Did the new fluid give you a night and day different feel?I haven't changed mine for about 2 years, I'm wondering if I'm due.
But because it's been mentioned, I may rebuild all the calipers next year. I don't have the funds or time to do it now; my '79 is screaming for me to rebuild the HVAC system (new gaskets, new heater core, new vacuum hoses, etc) and replace the brake pads. Yes, I'll be changing the brake fluid in the '79 also.
As for the poster asking about using a synth brake fluid in a C4, the humanoid behind the counter at Checkers told me that it was the best thing I could buy for the car.
I changed my fluid on my 84 this past summer. I'm willing to bet it was the factory fill. Looked like burnt coffee, and had the consistency of syrup. I had to mop up probably 1/16" of sludge on the bottom of the master cylinder. Refilled, flushed the lines, and two days later it was cloudy again. Did it a second time....now it's clear.
I could actually FEEL a difference in braking. I've owned the car 12 years and am just now getting around to doing this.
I could actually FEEL a difference in braking. I've owned the car 12 years and am just now getting around to doing this.
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I have a 90 convertible, by the way.
Use DOT 3. That is what the factory used.Originally Posted by j-wireman
Do you use silicone brake fluid? I was told that I should not use silicone fluid because it will destroy the ABS-something. Was I told right or is he wrong?I have a 90 convertible, by the way.
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But because it's been mentioned, I may rebuild all the calipers next year. I don't have the funds or time to do it now; my '79 is screaming for me to rebuild the HVAC system (new gaskets, new heater core, new vacuum hoses, etc) and replace the brake pads. Yes, I'll be changing the brake fluid in the '79 also.
As for the poster asking about using a synth brake fluid in a C4, the humanoid behind the counter at Checkers told me that it was the best thing I could buy for the car.
Isn't all brake fluid synthetic?Originally Posted by American Raven
I can't really tell a difference in braking that I can't attribute to having new pads in place. The brake pedal feels the same and the car stops the same. Psychologically I "feel" the car stops better because I know I what I removed and what I replaced: The fluid and pads.But because it's been mentioned, I may rebuild all the calipers next year. I don't have the funds or time to do it now; my '79 is screaming for me to rebuild the HVAC system (new gaskets, new heater core, new vacuum hoses, etc) and replace the brake pads. Yes, I'll be changing the brake fluid in the '79 also.
As for the poster asking about using a synth brake fluid in a C4, the humanoid behind the counter at Checkers told me that it was the best thing I could buy for the car.
Kubs
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May 8, 2026
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Quote:
I have a 90 convertible, by the way.
Im not sure on the ABS thing, I think I have heard that before. I wouldnt use silicone because a fellow track driver tired it and it made the seals in the caliper swell under heat and heavy braking and then the pistons would not retract. He had to wait till the caliper cooled down before it stopped clamping on the rotor. Not good! Originally Posted by j-wireman
Do you use silicone brake fluid? I was told that I should not use silicone fluid because it will destroy the ABS-something. Was I told right or is he wrong?I have a 90 convertible, by the way.
I have heard silicone messes with ABS but I cannot say it is true. I use Amsoil DOT 4 600 fluid. It has a 580 degree dry boiling point and 420 degree wet. Thats the best Ive seen.
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I have heard silicone messes with ABS but I cannot say it is true. I use Amsoil DOT 4 600 fluid. It has a 580 degree dry boiling point and 420 degree wet. Thats the best Ive seen.
I'd just use DOT 3 as that is factory fill. I know some use the DOT 4. But I've read it is best to use DOT 3 in systems that came with DOT 3. I believe I've also read it is best to use DOT 3 with regards to the ABS.Originally Posted by Kubs
Im not sure on the ABS thing, I think I have heard that before. I wouldnt use silicone because a fellow track driver tired it and it made the seals in the caliper swell under heat and heavy braking and then the pistons would not retract. He had to wait till the caliper cooled down before it stopped clamping on the rotor. Not good! I have heard silicone messes with ABS but I cannot say it is true. I use Amsoil DOT 4 600 fluid. It has a 580 degree dry boiling point and 420 degree wet. Thats the best Ive seen.
Do not use DOT 5 if you have ABS on your car.
http://www.dnd-automotive.com/chassis/brake-fluid.htm
http://www.dnd-automotive.com/chassis/brake-fluid.htm
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Can DOT 5 Brake Fluid Be Used Instead of DOT 3 or 4?
Always refer to vehicle owner's manual for what the manufacturer recommends or warns against. As a rule, vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS) should not use DOT 5 brake fluid.
DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone based. DOT 3 (standard) and DOT 4 (heavy-duty) are glycol-based. It can be distinguished from conventional brake fluids by its purple color (which comes from a dye).
Silicone does not absorb moisture. DOT 5 brake fluid does not become contaminated with moisture over time as conventional DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids do. Silicone is also chemically inert, nontoxic and won't damage paint like conventional brake fluid. It also has a higher boiling point.
Because of this, it is often marketed as a premium "lifetime" brake fluid. It is often used to preserve brake systems in antique vehicles and those that sit for long periods of time between use.
DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is also very expensive (costing four to five times as much as ordinary brake fluid), and it won't mix with glyco- based brake fluid (creating concern over sludging if all old fluid isn't removed when a system is refilled with silicone).
Silicone also has slightly different physical properties and compressibility, making it unsuitable for ABS systems calibrated to work with DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.
Can DOT 5 Brake Fluid Be Used Instead of DOT 3 or 4?
Always refer to vehicle owner's manual for what the manufacturer recommends or warns against. As a rule, vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS) should not use DOT 5 brake fluid.
DOT 5 brake fluid is silicone based. DOT 3 (standard) and DOT 4 (heavy-duty) are glycol-based. It can be distinguished from conventional brake fluids by its purple color (which comes from a dye).
Silicone does not absorb moisture. DOT 5 brake fluid does not become contaminated with moisture over time as conventional DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids do. Silicone is also chemically inert, nontoxic and won't damage paint like conventional brake fluid. It also has a higher boiling point.
Because of this, it is often marketed as a premium "lifetime" brake fluid. It is often used to preserve brake systems in antique vehicles and those that sit for long periods of time between use.
DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is also very expensive (costing four to five times as much as ordinary brake fluid), and it won't mix with glyco- based brake fluid (creating concern over sludging if all old fluid isn't removed when a system is refilled with silicone).
Silicone also has slightly different physical properties and compressibility, making it unsuitable for ABS systems calibrated to work with DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.
Dot 5 is silicone based.
If I'm not mistaken, brake fluid has been alchohol-based - that's why you've got to keep it away from your paint finish. I used Castrol Dot 3 synthetic.
If I'm not mistaken, brake fluid has been alchohol-based - that's why you've got to keep it away from your paint finish. I used Castrol Dot 3 synthetic.
As mentioned above, DOT 5 is silicone based and that is the one you need to stay away from. DOT 3 and 4 are compatible with each other and the difference is mainly in wet and dry boiling point.
FYI, I use the AMSOIL DOT 4 fluid mentioned above in my track duty 02 Z06, but AMSOIL makes a really good DOT 3 as well.
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Product Code BF3SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 525F, Wet Boiling Point - 313F
AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid (Product Code BF4SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 580F, Wet Boiling Point - 410F
FYI, I use the AMSOIL DOT 4 fluid mentioned above in my track duty 02 Z06, but AMSOIL makes a really good DOT 3 as well.
AMSOIL Series 500 High Performance DOT 3 Brake Fluid (Product Code BF3SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 525F, Wet Boiling Point - 313F
AMSOIL Series 600 DOT 4 Racing Brake Fluid (Product Code BF4SN)
Dry Boiling Point - 580F, Wet Boiling Point - 410F