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Re: Cleaning out the hydraulics

To: Phil Ethier <pethier@isd.net>
Subject: Re: Cleaning out the hydraulics
From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2000 07:54:05 -0700
Cc: "Daniel S. Eiland" <deiland1@elp.rr.com>, "Tigers@autox,team.net" <tigers@autox.team.net>, Triumph <triumphs@autox.team.net>, Alpines <alpines@autox.team.net>
References: <014301c044d3$40cae1c0$a58deed0@PhilEthier>
No,
You miss the point.  Leaks are inevitable.  Sooner or later you will have brake 
fluid on your paint.  DOT actually works at least as
well as LMA fluid so why not eliminate the problem that occurs when the master 
cylinders leak.

I have also noticed that when the master cylinders get hot, LMA fluid expands 
somewhat (and maybe DOT 5 does too).  That causes small
amounts of fluid to escape from the weep hole in the top of the cap and onto 
the paint.  So even if there are no leaks you can get the
stuff onto your paint (Not to mention fools like me that can't pour straight)

So therefore the best of both worlds.  Just because the Manufacturer didn't use 
DOT 5 (not available back then) doesn't mean we can't!

Joe

P.S. Yes, rebuilding the system is recommended when introducing DOT 5.  Rubber 
hoses tend to weaken over time and will swell when
pressure is applied thus making the pedal feel spongy.  And redundency is not a 
bad thing, NASA uses it in all their systems.  Better
safe than sorry!

Phil Ethier wrote:
> 
> From: Joe Curry <spitlist@gte.net>
> To: Phil Ethier <pethier@isd.net>
> Cc: Daniel S. Eiland <deiland1@elp.rr.com>; Tigers@autox,team.net
> <tigers@autox.team.net>; Triumph <triumphs@autox.team.net>; Alpines
> <alpines@autox.team.net>
> Date: Wednesday, November 01, 2000 11:37 PM
> Subject: Re: Cleaning out the hydraulics
> 
> >Phil,
> >The madness doesn't pass.  It only gets worse each time you detect another
> leak and more paint eaten off!!!
> >
> >DOT 5 is the only way to go!
> 
> So your solution to leaky hydraulic brakes is to change to a paint-friendly
> fluid.  I'd rather fix the leaks.
> 
> I put silicone fluid in a Midget some time back and could never get a hard
> pedal.  Switched back to Castrol GT LMA and had no problems.
> 
> The only way to make sure that silicone works is to completely rebuild your
> system.  That should take care of your leaks anyway, so the fluid-swap
> becomes redundant.
> 
> Phil Ethier    Saint Paul  Minnesota  USA
> 1970 Lotus Europa, 1992 Saturn SL2, 1986 Suburban, 1962 Triumph TR4 CT2846L
> LOON, MAC   pethier@isd.net     http://www.mnautox.com/
> "It makes a nice noise when it goes faster"
> - 4-year-old Adam, upon seeing a bitmap of Grandma Susie's TR4.

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