Brake Fluid.

[MarkR]

Hey me again,

I might have just been a bit of a pillick. I'm going to flush the brake fluid this weekend so went to my local motor factors and buought some Dot 5.1 like I always do. Thing is, I forgot it was for the Vee. I take it Dot 5.1 is fine, i normally use it as I track my cars and just bought it out of force of habit!

Anyone know if it will give me any problems?

Cheers

-Mark.

 

[Jamesv6]

Components Capacity in litres Grade
Brake circuit 1 SAE J 1703 and DOT 4

That's from the tech manual

 

[MarkR]

Flip....that'll learn me for not thinking

 

[ed_harland]

Thought it was DOT4 ESP ?

 

[Jamesv6]

 

[® Andy]

Yep ... bog standard DOT 4. Thought 5.1 comes with some curious characteristics regarding hygroscopic tendencies and seals?

 

[Jamesv6]

DOT 5 is NOT recommended for any vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes. I find that puts me off it.

It is suitable for some Vee owners.
"but it can provide long-lasting protection against corrosion for vehicles that are stored for long periods of time"

 

[Eastlmark]

Dot 5.1 will be fine, better even than DOT 4 but you must change all the fluid. DOt 4 was the hightest standard at the time the Vee was made hence the recommencdation. DOT 5 however is completely different and should not be used. the .1 being the important bit.

 

[Jamesv6]

I see now.

DOT 5.1, like DOT 3 and DOT 4, is a polyethylene glycol-based
DOT 5 is silicone-based.

 

[Eastlmark]

correct James, if they had named 5.1 as dot 6 life would be simpler, I did try to buy some dot 5 last year (not for the Vee) and failed, certainly non of the sheds stocked it and when I ask i was palmed off with dot 5.1 and a lot of ignorance.
The best recomentdation has to be Castrol SRF (which is not DOT rated at all) but you will need 2 bottles at £40 a shot to replace your current fluid but its worth it. Whats more, it needs to come out again every year-18 months.

 

[Jamesv6]

Mark I was just muttering to myself the same thing "if they had named 5.1 as dot 6 life would be simpler"
or DOT 5.9 beta version

 

[MarkR]

I was going to completely flush the system and replace it all with DOT 5.1, my concern was the effect putting DOT 5.1 might have on any seals etc.

Just to be on the safe side I'll take it back today and swap it for DOT 4

Thanks for all the posts chaps :approve:

-Mark.