DOT 5 Reversal Help
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
DOT 5 Reversal Help
Long story, here is a summary: I made my first major blunder with my C5 after 7 years of ownership, I introduced DOT 5 into the brake system. 
Next Question: How to get it out?
One suggestion was to bleed the system with denatured alcohol to clean the silicone from the lines. While in theory it sounds like it will work, it may make my problem worse. I am open for suggestions and I am already looking into what it will cost to replace the system as a worst case scenario. Thanks for you help and yes I already know I am an idiot so be kind.
Next Question: How to get it out?
One suggestion was to bleed the system with denatured alcohol to clean the silicone from the lines. While in theory it sounds like it will work, it may make my problem worse. I am open for suggestions and I am already looking into what it will cost to replace the system as a worst case scenario. Thanks for you help and yes I already know I am an idiot so be kind.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Long story, here is a summary: I made my first major blunder with my C5 after 7 years of ownership, I introduced DOT 5 into the brake system.
Next Question: How to get it out? One suggestion was to bleed the system with denatured alcohol to clean the silicone from the lines. While in theory it sounds like it will work, it may make my problem worse. I am open for suggestions and I am already looking into what it will cost to replace the system as a worst case scenario. Thanks for you help and yes I already know I am an idiot so be kind.
Next Question: How to get it out?
One suggestion was to bleed the system with denatured alcohol to clean the silicone from the lines. While in theory it sounds like it will work, it may make my problem worse. I am open for suggestions and I am already looking into what it will cost to replace the system as a worst case scenario. Thanks for you help and yes I already know I am an idiot so be kind.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Do a full brake system flush a few times.
Take a turkey baster and get the DOT5 chit out of the MC. Put in some DOT 4 Castrol LMA or Valvoine Syntech into the MC and bleed and bleed.
Dont let the MC run dry and you will need a MOTIVE POWER BLEEDER or a Tech II to open up the ABS system.
Do a full bleed and go for an easy drive and do a few easy stops, then put your car back on jack stands and do a FULL brake system flush again.
Good Luck
Take a turkey baster and get the DOT5 chit out of the MC. Put in some DOT 4 Castrol LMA or Valvoine Syntech into the MC and bleed and bleed.
Dont let the MC run dry and you will need a MOTIVE POWER BLEEDER or a Tech II to open up the ABS system.
Do a full bleed and go for an easy drive and do a few easy stops, then put your car back on jack stands and do a FULL brake system flush again.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Introduced means I went the whole way and bled the DOT 5 Silicone stuff through the whole system. The ABS module is my main concern with the calipers a close second. I worry that I will just never get the stuff completely out of the system without rebuilding the brake system and it may cause some issues while Autocrossing or track driving. I only put it in because it was all I could find locally (at a performance shop no less) that had a high wet boiling point. I quickly learned afterwards of my mistake. I am running a couple track days and the car was in bad need of a bleed (original fluid). I will obviously try some of the fluid mentioned in other posts but first I will bleed the snot out of it with cheaper stuff. I have two months before the first track driving event. I will try the cheap bleed first and then more drastic later if necessary. Still open to other suggestions. I am also bothering a few GM guys I know.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
You can activate the ABS without a TechII by simply spinning the wheels, but whether it will do it enough to clean it out is another matter. If it was me, I would have it to either a dealer or a professional brake shop right away.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
I finally found the right procedure in my service manual. They recommend disassembling and cleaning with denatured alcohol. They say to clean the master cylinder, replace all the rubber hoses, rebuild the calipers with new rubber and replace the ABS modulator valve. Sounds easy and cheap, crap! At least the one thought of bleeding with denatured alcohol was right, sort of. Well, live and learn, hopefully from someone elses mistakes next time.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I finally found the right procedure in my service manual. They recommend disassembling and cleaning with denatured alcohol. They say to clean the master cylinder, replace all the rubber hoses, rebuild the calipers with new rubber and replace the ABS modulator valve. Sounds easy and cheap, crap! At least the one thought of bleeding with denatured alcohol was right, sort of. Well, live and learn, hopefully from someone elses mistakes next time.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
DOT 5 removal
I replaced the DOT4 in my Trans AM with DOT 5 for a long term storage (16 years). In order to get all the DOT5 out you will need to remove the brake componets and replace the brake lines. DOT 4 and DOT 5 are not compatible. Denatured alochol or brake cleaner worked for me.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Thanks everybody, I appreciate the support. I at least feel like I am headed the right direction.
Now I just have to do it or find a shop I can trust to complete the job right. Anyone know a good shop in the Detroit/Lansing Michigan area. I am not sure I trust a dealer to complete it properly.
Now I just have to do it or find a shop I can trust to complete the job right. Anyone know a good shop in the Detroit/Lansing Michigan area. I am not sure I trust a dealer to complete it properly.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I finally found the right procedure in my service manual. They recommend disassembling and cleaning with denatured alcohol. They say to clean the master cylinder, replace all the rubber hoses, rebuild the calipers with new rubber and replace the ABS modulator valve. Sounds easy and cheap, crap! At least the one thought of bleeding with denatured alcohol was right, sort of. Well, live and learn, hopefully from someone elses mistakes next time.
Bill