brake fluid help

Topic: brake fluid help

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Posted: 5/3/07 6:55pm Message 1 of 6

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philbshelb

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peckville, PA - USA

Joined: 11/16/2006

Posts: 33

Vette(s): 1974 454 4 speed

i have to replace a leaking front caliper on my 74 vette. how can i tell if the brake fluid has been changed to silicone or if it is still dot 3/4? Confused

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brake fluid help

Posted: 5/3/07 7:24pm Message 2 of 6

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Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Joined: 11/8/2003

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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Wow!!! Good question!

I've never run any silicon fluid, so I really don't know for sure...but I do have a guess.
I would think that silicon type fluids would stay fairly clean in the system, unlike regular DOT fluid, that turns dark. That's just a swag, tho...maybe someone else will have the real answer.

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brake fluid help

Posted: 5/3/07 8:44pm Message 3 of 6

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mkapp7879

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You could always put some on a painted surface(NO! not on your Vette! Something ELSE) and see if it messes up the paint. Silicone won't. Or siphon some out and put it in a clear bottle and shake it up, silicone supposedly bubbles up quite a bit. Also, I think it's purple.

I really think silicone has fallen out of favor with a lot of enthusiasts. Spongy pedal and hard to bleed, especially pressure bleed. I checked into it years ago because my Vettes don't get out that much and I had gone through every brake system. Put dot3 back in all of them. The only reason I could see for silicone fluid is that it's paint friendly.

brake fluid help

Posted: 5/3/07 9:42pm Message 4 of 6

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Gale Banks 80

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Vette(s): 1980 with a Banks Twin Turbo 1969 Convert Big Block 1996 Grand Sport Convert

Every Silicone Brake fluid I have Used is Purple in Color and it stays Clean in the System because it dosn't absorb Water and therefore Your System dosn't Rust. If the Brake Fluid in the Master Cylinder is Amber or Brown is because You have Rust. Richard......

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brake fluid help

Posted: 5/4/07 11:09am Message 5 of 6

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philbshelb

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peckville, PA - USA

Joined: 11/16/2006

Posts: 33

Vette(s): 1974 454 4 speed

thanks for all the suggestions. i put some on a painted surface (an old ignition coil) and it took the paint off. the fluid was dark in color. i added the dot type fluid took it for a spin around the block and it seems fine.

thanks again

phil

brake fluid help

Posted: 5/4/07 1:33pm Message 6 of 6

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KOPBET

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Tulsa, OK - USA

Joined: 4/26/2007

Posts: 152

Vette(s): 1973 LS4 4 speed Coupe. Silver & Oxblood 1996 LT1 Coupe. Arctic White & Tan.

[QUOTE=Gale Banks 80] ... and therefore Your System dosn't Rust. [/QUOTE]

I believe you will find the opposite to be true. Water entry into the system is inevitable, and with non-hygroscopic fluids the water will pool at the lowest point causing more rapid corrosion than with hygroscopic fluids that absorb the water and actually slow the corrosion process. The brake fluid darkens from water absorption, not necessarily from rust.

KOPBET2007-05-04 13:35:37

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