Synthetic or Regular Blinker Fluid Options

[dflesburg]

my blinkers are operated mechanically with wire and switches. none of that hydraulic crap back in the day... even my parking brake, throttle and clutch are cables.
shift rod is not cables.

its all very confusing I know, but its okay.

[Porschef]

Really? This is why my blinkers don't work? I had no idea. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Where's the friggin' dipstick?

[toolguy]

If your blinkers blink too fast use a heavier weight of blinker fluid

[Front yard mechanic]

Don't spill that stuff on your paint it turns to rust!

[sb914]

I replaced my muffler bearing, now my blinkers work fine.

[mbseto]

My blinker fluid is fine, it's everyone else's...

[amfab]

Because of the impact on the California Brown Pelican—see below—as of 2015, it is illegal to manufacture traditional oil based blinker fluids (TOBBF) in California. California is now a Synthetic Blinker Fluid Only state (SBFOS). Currently it is only illegal to manufacture TOBBFs, but use and sale of TOBBFs is permitted until 2025. This is when it will be illegal to even have TOBBFs in your car. The reason for the delay is to allow California time to set up the infrastructure needed to inspect cars for proper blinker fluid. The State is considering legislation to raise the state sales tax to 12% in order to pay for the estimated 763 blinker fluid test stations that will be needed.

The problem with Synthetic Based Blinker Fluids (SBBF) is that the gaskets for bulbs and lense covers manufactured prior to 1977 will degrade rapidly when using SBBFs. Replacement modern gaskets are expensive, so for now, many of us are still using TOBBFs. It is available in some auto parts stores, but because of limited availability TOBBFs run 10 to 15 times the price of SBBFs and it is expected to go even higher. A black market has sprung up and many have driven to Las Vegas or Phoenix just to have fluid topped up. California bill AB2453BF creates additional funding for border agricultural check stations to increase staffing to inspect for those brazen enough to try to sneak some hidden fluid in their vehicles.

Those of you in the rest of the country should be thankful your state is not a SBFOS. Eventually it will come to all. Politicians have introduced Federal legislation regarding prohibition of TOBBFs, but “S OP T E BL NK NG”, an anti-TOBBF advocacy group sees the election of Donald Trump as a signal—although an intermittent one—to the Blinker Fluid Industry as a green light to continue manufacturing TOBBFs for years to come.

The impact on Pelicans: Leaking blinker fluid on roadways washes into storm drains and makes its way to sea. Pelicans and whales, having the largest eyelids of most mammals in coastal regions are more susceptible to excessive blinking than other animals. Whales are relatively unaffected because of their slow speeds. Excessive blinking raises the incidence of mid-air collisions among Pelicans’ to unsustainable levels. See attached photo.

I must say that it is dismaying to see that people are selling used TOBBF online in classified forums without regard to these majestic birds. It is especially egregious and ironic that it is not banned on one particular site that I will not name here.

-Andrew

[stugray]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-20004-1480875035.jpg)

Maybe if that online website would quit dismantling the pelicans and selling their parts there might be more of those left in the wild.

[Chris H.]

Just not the same since the DOT banned the importation of blue blinker fluid.

No worries George, I just bought the last bottle of OEM 914 blue blinker fluid in existence. Stored in a vault since 1970 at the perfect temperature in an air-tight container. Got it off the internet so it has to be true. Think I have enough left for your yellow car. Doubt the signals would even work with that newfangled stuff in it!

[ottox914]

I trust the genius of the OEM designers. None of that new-fangled stuff in my car.

[mlindner]

I use water, but it does leak at all four corners. Need new blinker seals....Best, Mark

[mankowski]

I think this is the best stuff to use, but I am unsure if it is sillycone or not. Anyone else know?

[RickS]

Tried the synthetic stuff and the increased lubrication made my blinkers go into hyper-blink, like a bad relay. They also developed a slow leak due to their long molecular chains. Switched back to dino and Topped off with Marvel Mystery Oil and I am good for another 5K miles. Also did the filter change.

Why in the hell is no one talking about their filters?

[eyesright]

My regular blinker fluid kept freezing up, even in the summer (I'm in Canada), so I switched to the synthetic. Haven't had a problem since.

I would normally reply that adding alcohol to the cheaper, regular blinker fluid will will prevent freezing - I use water and alcohol in my 914 radiator, cheaper than antifreeze - and you don't have to go to the more expensive stuff. But I read on the internet that the regular stuff will be priced out of reach due to new California regs,...something about pelicans and whales and I bet they throw snail darters and even snipes in there too so maybe you are on top of things afterall. Got any snow yet?

[mobymutt]

My regular blinker fluid kept freezing up, even in the summer (I'm in Canada), so I switched to the synthetic. Haven't had a problem since.

I would normally reply that adding alcohol to the cheaper, regular blinker fluid will will prevent freezing - I use water and alcohol in my 914 radiator, cheaper than antifreeze - and you don't have to go to the more expensive stuff. But I read on the internet that the regular stuff will be priced out of reach due to new California regs,...something about pelicans and whales and I bet they throw snail darters and even snipes in there too so maybe you are on top of things afterall. Got any snow yet?

2 or 3 inches last night! Blinker fluid is actually less critical in the winter, since nobody can see the blinkers under the snow anyway.

[Frankvw]

"Why in the hell is no one talking about their filters?"
well...that is because it depends if you have the late or the early blinkers AND do not forget that we in Europe (known to you as ROW seen from USA side) never had the blinkerfilters except in Italy because of that driving light law.
i have an usa import 914 here in Holland and it is really hard to find the filters here. I heared it was easy to make them using that fishtank stuff they also use to refill the charcoal filter, but i am not sure....

[TX914]

Anyone know if it’s ok to use multi-weight fluid? I check the owner’s manual but it really doesn’t say.
As for the synthetic stuff, I’m afraid if I switch to synthetic my blinkers will develop leaks!

[falcor75]

Did you know the earliest uses of what later became blinker fluid was to stabilize the flames in lanterns used on horsedrawn carriages in London in the 1830's...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/tooth.gif)

[Beach914]

I've heard that the new synthetics don't have enough ZDDP (zinc) to prevent premature wear of the blinkers. I'm using a racing dinosaur version with the straight 50W weight.
I don't want to risk wearing out my blinkers. I have been researching some new fluids with the ZDTP additive that reacts faster and allows your blinkers to blink faster.

More updates on this in the future as I research it further.

[914dave]

I don't know why this subject keeps coming up? Search is your friend! Btw. Synthetic is the only way to go.