How do I know what break fluid was used?

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

I am inspired by so many resent break fluid change threads, that I have decided to do this as well during the summer. My first problem is that I can not identify from the documentation I have if the PO at any point might have converted to DOT5. Is there any test I can do to verify if I am still running with DOT4 or not??

livi · 06-28-2006, 11:42 PM

Good to hear you´re planning a little summer wrenching, Pål !

But why did you have to raise this question ?? When I changed the fluid recently, it did not even strike me what kind of fluid the PO used. I just presumed it would be DOT 3 - 4. You think its very likely it would have been converted ? Have no idea how to test it besides chemically.

Most certainly there will be brake pros around here that will give you an answer. Bill Verburg ?

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

This is why I ask

dot5 in system....very sludgy....converting back?

livi · 06-29-2006, 02:17 AM

Yes, I know about the incompatibility. Thats why you bringing it up made me slightly nervous since I did not check before I changed. I still have superb braking power though. Wonder what the symptoms would be changing between DOT 3-4 and DOT 5 without thoroughly cleaning it out in between ? Would it immediately affect brake power or is it a slowly progressing failure of the system in some way.

Man! Without this forum Porsche DIY ownership would be totally out of the question for me!

safe · safe's Garage

Soak something painted (some rattlecan painted piece of metal is fine) in your fluid over night. DOT 3 and 4 will make the paint peal off.
As stated in the thread you posted DOT5 will not affect paint.

I used old brakefluid to remove the paint on my Fuchs center caps before re painting them.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Thank you Magnus - I will try that...

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

DOT5 is supposed to be Purple but it doesn't really matter what is or was in there, just flush all(or at least as much as you can) of the old out and use whatever fresh fluid you want.

There is no miscibility issue

livi · 06-29-2006, 01:44 PM

Thanks Bill ! Thats a relief. I think both Pål and I were under the impression you could totally ruin the system without completely cleaning it out before changing. At least I was.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
Thanks Bill ! Thats a relief. I think both Pål and I were under the impression you could totally ruin the system without completely cleaning it out before changing. At least I was.

Yes, me to!!! Then I will just get some good DOT4

safe · safe's Garage

Bill: Thats good to know.

Pål: I have just bought some Ate Racing Blue from Pelican.
When you include tax and delivery to Sweden its still almost half the price of what it costs here!

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by safe
Pål: I have just bought some Ate Racing Blue from Pelican.
When you include tax and delivery to Sweden its still almost half the price of what it costs here!

I wish you had told me before you placed the order, we could have included mine in that and shared the shipping cost

Us Swedish Pelicans should be smarter when ordering stuff from Pelican, as postage within Sweden is very little in comparison!!

I am looking to replace the soft lines and fluid during the summer - after I have completed the pedal cluster. Will place the order with pelican then!!

livi · 06-30-2006, 01:10 AM

Magnus,

Side tracking a bit, but do you do your own valve adjustments ?

safe · safe's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by livi
Magnus,

Side tracking a bit, but do you do your own valve adjustments ?

Yes, I did my first 1-2 years ago. Its a little tricky and I guess it takes a few tries before one nails it.

I think it has become a little noicy, so I'm redoing it in a few weeks (hopfully).

livi · 06-30-2006, 02:21 AM

Where did you find an appropriate feeler gauge ? Can´t seem to locate any dealers in Sweden.

Also have you tried the new method by 2.7 Racer ? Checking clearance between rocker arm and cam lobe. Apparently one would need two regular blades .06 and .08 mm. I can´t find those sizes neither.

safe · safe's Garage

Haven't tried that method, maybe I will do that.

I went to my local hardware store and had them order a "roll" of feeler gauge (Från Luna katalogen www.luna.se ).
You pull out a strip and cut of an appropriate length. I then bent it to an "L" shape, I managed with that.
The roll of feeler gauge was about 50 SEK.

livi · 06-30-2006, 04:22 AM

Thats great, Magnus! Thanks for the tip !

I´ll call you when I (inevitably) get stuck.

IaAaron · 06-30-2006, 08:23 AM

I have 5 of the feeler gauges here in stock. alot of time when people will change their valve covers to our Billet valve cover they will adjust the valves as well. so they more often than not need a feeler gauge.

safe · safe's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by livi

I´ll call you when I (inevitably) get stuck.

I'll help if I can!

na2ub · 06-30-2006, 11:23 AM

I forget why, but I read that DOT 5 was for racing applications only, and must be changed really frequently. DOT 4 is the high-temp fluid that you want. I would research DOT 5 a little more if you are interested.

Doug

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Racing is the last place you would use DOT5, you would end up w/ a very soft pedal. 5.1 on the other hand is super(if expensive)

DOT5 is sometimes used in museum pieces but even there, issues will arise.