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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Silcone brake fluid

Posted by: 914zim Sep 7 2003, 09:17 PM

Hey guys:
While draining the old brake fluid in my 914 (it's been sitting for 4 years), I noticed someone had put a label on the fluid reservior that reads "SILICONE FLUID ONLY"
So, I assume a PO had put silicone brake fluid in the system.
After I've rebuilt the calipers and replaced the pads, I will be putting regular DOT 4 Heavy Duty brake fluid in. This is the stuff I got from the local parts supply store.
I drained the old fluid about 2 days ago and it's been sitting empty since.
So, my question is:
So I need to do anything special like flush the system with anything (alchohol?) before I put the new DOT 4 fluid in when I bleed the system?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Andy...

Posted by: Brad Roberts Sep 7 2003, 11:59 PM

Just keep bleeding them with the new fluid and flush the system completely. When you think you are done bleeding them... bleed them again.

B

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Sep 8 2003, 11:05 AM

Curious, why don't you continue to use the DOT 5? I run it in my VW and motorcycle...Jetta is next when it comes time for her maintenance.

http://www.icbm.org/erkson/ttt/silicone.txt
and
http://www.icbm.org/erkson/ttt/DOT-5_clean_up.txt

Posted by: seanery Sep 8 2003, 11:09 AM

which one is less caustic?

that's the one i'd probably use.

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Sep 8 2003, 11:11 AM

Well, DOT 5 will NOT hurt your paint but it's not biodegradable.

Posted by: HarveyH Sep 8 2003, 11:22 AM

It's been eight or ten years since I used silicone fluid, and they may have changed it, but back then, it was significantly more compressible than glycol based brake fluid.
Good points: doesn't absorb water, so little or no corrosion in the system, and I think a higher boiling point.
Bad points: longer brake pedal travel, softer brakes.

Harvey

Posted by: Lawrence Sep 8 2003, 01:39 PM

Am I behind the times and the only one still using DOT3?

-Rusty
(Uhhh, I think I'm using 3.)

Posted by: Air_Cooled_Nut Sep 8 2003, 11:08 PM

It does have a higher boiling point. I don't think it is more compressable -- my setups feel tight.