Chris Kotting wrote:
>
> Quick Summary: (This is a "list consensus", so individuals may disagree.
> I hope this formats OK)
>
> PRO: CON:
> DOT 3 Cheap Eats natural rubber seals
> Easily available Eats paint
> Lower boiling point
> Actually draws water from air
>
> DOT 4 Cheap Eats paint
> Doesn't eat natural rubber Still draws water, but not as
>much
> Higher boiling point
>
> DOT 4+ Draws almost no water Eats paint
> Very high boiling point More expensive than DOT 4
> Doesn't eat seals Harder to find
>
> DOT 5 / Doesn't eat paint Expensive
> Silicone Doesn't eat rubber Difficult to bleed
>all the air out
> Very high boiling point You should only change over
>when
> Doesn't draw water at all replacing all the
>rubber in the system.
> Relatively easy to find.
>
> Consensus:
>
> DOT 3 DO NOT USE!
> DOT 4 OK
> DOT 4+ OK
> DOT 5 Depends on who you ask.
>
> PERSONAL OPINION:
> Some people complain that DOT 5 / Silicone (a) gives a softer pedal, (b)
> causes systems to leak, and (c) allows water to pool in the hydraulics
> (because it won't absorb it). I have been running silicone for 3 years now
> without a problem. I figure that (a) anything will give a soft pedal if
> you don't get all the air out, which is more difficult with silicone, (b)
> Since silicone causes rubber to swell less DOT 4, a system changed over
> without replacing all the rubber in the system will leak, and (c) I can't
> figure how the water that would hypothetically pool would get in there in
> the first place.
>
> Anyway, as far as I know everyone agrees that you won't go wrong with DOT 4
> or 4+. People who are really worried about screwing up their brand new
> paint tend to go for DOT 5.
>
> Chris Kotting
> ckotting@iwaynet.net
>
> P.S. "Silicon" is a mineral used in making glass and semiconductors.
> "Silicone" (note the "e" at the end) is a synthetic liquid used in
> lubricants, breast implants, and some brake fluid.
Ditto what Chris said about silicone.
A friend of mine has had it in his Big Healey for 11 + years now and
never a problem, not even a fluid change.
I am running it in my A40, so far, so good. And the pedal is hard,
harder then my other LBCs with dot 4.
Just my .02
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Lots of LBCs
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut
|