Topic: I now know dot 5
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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I know everthing there is to know about dot5 know, especially after adding dot3 to top off the master cylider...I can't belive that I did that
It appears fine at first till the brakes have warmed, then they all lock up. Turns out mixing the two causes the fluid to jell.
Help! I know I need to completly flush the system before returning to dot4 this time, but not sure what else might be involved, like replacing the rubber components and such.

Help! I know I need to completly flush the system before returning to dot4 this time, but not sure what else might be involved, like replacing the rubber components and such.

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Clifton, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/3/2003
Posts: 129
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe
Ontario Orange
Black leather interior
LS-5; Turbo 400
Well, I haven't run into the Jello aspect of DOT 3&5, but when I switched from 3 to 5, I flushed the system with alcohol per the instructions before re filling with Dot 5.
If the jell doesn't flow easily, I would guess that you will need to remove the calipers and dissasemble them to clean out the jell, ditto the M/C, then use compressed air to blow the jell out of the lines, then flush well with the alcohol.
I doubt that the jell has attacked the rubber, as either fluid is compatible with the rubber parts by itself.
Having said all that, I must state that I did all this 16 years ago when I first got the 72. My memory just ain't what it used to be, for sure!
Good Luck
NJ BB Ken

If the jell doesn't flow easily, I would guess that you will need to remove the calipers and dissasemble them to clean out the jell, ditto the M/C, then use compressed air to blow the jell out of the lines, then flush well with the alcohol.
I doubt that the jell has attacked the rubber, as either fluid is compatible with the rubber parts by itself.
Having said all that, I must state that I did all this 16 years ago when I first got the 72. My memory just ain't what it used to be, for sure!
Good Luck
NJ BB Ken

1972 T Top 454; "Boomer" Latest "upgrades": 1 1/8" front Stabilizer bar. Rebuilt SS calipers with O-ring pistons. Under car Chambered exhaust. Fiberglass rear spring (360lbs/in). Bilstein Rear Shocks. 3/4" Rear Stabilizer Bar. Tow hitch. Performer manifold with 600 cfm Holley. Comp Cam 262 .499 lift. L-88 Hood in process

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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
seathree said: ![]() |
I have used plain old 35 cent a bottle rubbing alchohol and havent had a problem...
Also you might use an air nozzle..
just blow compressed air through
updated for typos/spelling
|UPDATED|8/18/2004 2:21:15 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
The rubber will be fine. It won't hurt it. Any oil will distroy the rubber.
As far as flushing, I would use the air, then the alcholol, then the air again. You may want to disassemble the calipers. That's a judgement call.
As far as flushing, I would use the air, then the alcholol, then the air again. You may want to disassemble the calipers. That's a judgement call.

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
kstyer said: You may want to disassemble the calipers. That's a judgement call. |
you could just try flushing/blowing each caliper with each bleeder/plug out one by one..
this should clean the whole path..

Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
daveb12 said: Let us know if just an air and alcohol flush works. I'd be concerned as to whether or not it all came out. The bleeder holes are smaller than the passages in the calipers. |
id remove those bleeders one by one..
i would think any gel funk would come out a 3/16th hole.
With the bleeders out, it probably will come out. It's worth a try. As I said it's a judgement call. Only you can see how jelled it is.

Clifton, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/3/2003
Posts: 129
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe
Ontario Orange
Black leather interior
LS-5; Turbo 400
Since you said you were going to DOT 4, If it was me, I'd dissasemble the calipers & M/C to remove all the jell, then as suggested elsewhere, use compressed air to blow out the lines, then flush with the alcohol.
As I previously posted , my memory fails me as to the type of alcohol, although I think it may have been Jack Daniels. ( Just kiddin', I really think it was de-natured alcohol.)
The last time I looked at a rubbing alcohol bottle, a decent % was water. Don't think I'd want to chance leaving any residual H2O around in the bottom of the calipers or M/C internals when adding DOT 4 fluid.
Just my $.02
Cheers
NJ BB Ken
|UPDATED|8/19/2004 12:02:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
As I previously posted , my memory fails me as to the type of alcohol, although I think it may have been Jack Daniels. ( Just kiddin', I really think it was de-natured alcohol.)
The last time I looked at a rubbing alcohol bottle, a decent % was water. Don't think I'd want to chance leaving any residual H2O around in the bottom of the calipers or M/C internals when adding DOT 4 fluid.
Just my $.02
Cheers

NJ BB Ken
|UPDATED|8/19/2004 12:02:28 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
1972 T Top 454; "Boomer" Latest "upgrades": 1 1/8" front Stabilizer bar. Rebuilt SS calipers with O-ring pistons. Under car Chambered exhaust. Fiberglass rear spring (360lbs/in). Bilstein Rear Shocks. 3/4" Rear Stabilizer Bar. Tow hitch. Performer manifold with 600 cfm Holley. Comp Cam 262 .499 lift. L-88 Hood in process
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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