Sloane
DOT 5 Synthetic will not harm paint, which is a big plus since
Lockheed brakes
have a tendency to pop a leak at regular intervals. Synthetic also will
not absorb
moisture out of the air, so it does not need to be replaced
periodically. In theory,
it should also prevent rust internally, since moisture does not get into
solution
in the brake fluid. DOT 4 non-synthetic is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture
from the air)
but will hold that moisture in solution up to some low concentration.
This is what
makes it get dark after time passes, and why it is recommended to
replace the fluid
every couple of years. If too much moisture gets in, it no longer stays
in solution
and starts rusting things.
Converting back would require a thorough purge of the brake
lines, but should
not be a big deal. The two fluids are not miscible, so you cannot simply
add DOT 4
and call it good. The fluids will happily co-exist however, so if there
are a few drops
of DOT 5 mixed in with your DOT 4, nothing untoward will happen. BTW,
the seals are
compatible with both types of fluid.
The synthetic will be purple in color, so if it is a dirty
purple then the car
has already be changed over to DOT 5. If it is a dirty brown, then it is
DOT 4.
Vance
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-6pack@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-6pack@autox.team.net] On
Behalf Of im sloane
Sent: November 01, 2005 8:34 AM
To: 6pack@autox.team.net
Subject: Brake Fluid flip/flop
Hi all,
Working on brother's new project 73-Six. Question about brake fluid.
It's
real dirty and needs bleeding, so seems like a good time for a change.
Car
came the the usual box of 'stuff' which included a can of Synthetic
(valvolene I think) brake fluid. Not sure if PDO changed to synthetic,
or if
can came with car from PPDO. I can call PDO to inquire, but was curious.
Can
harm be done changing back to regular Castrol LMA, or would experts
recommend staying with synthetic if already converted?
thanks,
Sloane :)
'69-Six CC26455L
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