This is a bit off, but.... I have a Citroen DS21 Pallas. It is suposed to
have a
special brake fluid for it's hydraulic system too - which runs everything but
the
wheels and engine. The only brake fluid that officially conforms to the
specification given (I don't remember the #'s and letters) is RR363. So, I went
out of my way to get RR363. Pretty stuff in a Castrol can etc. etc. Used it,
no
problems. Then I did some checking. It has been a while, so I don't remember
where these resources are, but there is a clear indication that RR363 is simply
DOT3 brake fluid put in a can, and at a premium price. Checking with the
citroen
shops they indicate that any brake fluid can be used in my system, but not
mineral
oil (the later citroens used that). So, I now use Castrol GT LMA DOT4 brake
fluid
- easily available, and not too expensive. I don't drive the car a lot, but I
also don't have any hydraulic leaks or bad seals. For what its worth, it may
pay
a lot to do some checking - I was satisfied with the checking I did a couple
years
back.
Phil Bates
58 MGA
66 Land Rover 88
66 Citroen DS21 Pallas
67 MGB
69 Porsche 911T targa - now with a soft rear window
75 Jaguar XJ12C
52 MG-TD Replicar - VW based
Berry Kercheval wrote:
> mikedenman@earthlink.net said:
> > I don't pretend to be the ultimate authority but... I work on
> > Airplanes and have always understood that substituting auto brake
> > fluid for the aviation fluid (Mil spec. 5606A) was a short cut to seal
> > failure. Is the opposite also true?
>
> I don't know either, but it seems to me to be really silly to try to save a
> buck or two on your airplane, violate a federal reg and risk death.
>
> As for Rolls-Royces, I happen to know about this since my daily driver is a
> 1966 T-series Bentley (A Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow with "Rolls-Royce"
> scratched out and "Bentley" written on it in crayon).
>
> The **ONLY** brake fluid approved for use in a Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow or
> Shadow II (approximately 1965-1980) is Castrol RR-363. ANY OTHER FLUID will
> eat your seals, corrode your pipes, and cause premature brake failure.
>
> Similarly, the Silver Spur and Silver SPirits (1980 to today) must use
> a specially formulated mineral oil (it may be drived from MS5606A (or the RAF
> equivalent) but I'm not sure).
>
> It is important to remember that the brake system in these cars is not like
> that in other vehicles; they operate at 3000 PSI, from engine-driven hydraulic
> pumps with nitrogen-filled pressure accumulators. These are power brakes with
> REAL POWER. Ordinary brake fluid will not stand up to this, will break down
> and then eat the seals. A complete hydraulic system overhaul by an authorized
> shop (and NEVER let anyone who doesn't understand the systems work on it!) can
> run over $20,000.
>
> Needless to say, I carry an unopened container of RR-363 in my boot at all
> times.
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