DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid

It is great to know about the better fluids, but if your running OLD fluid
your having issue with moisture.
Yes water that turns into steam at much lower temp.
Steam is like gas and it will behave that way.
Flush out the old fluid and problem will be solved unless you ride your
brakes.
This issue and proper method of driving going down long hills were big
topic back in 1985.
I’m familiar with Death Valley and most automotive manufactures test brakes
and other components in that area and spend days there.

On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 4:59 AM Larry via Gmclist
wrote:

> > > Look at this chart and decide what you want to use. I have used DOT 4
> in everything from my motorcycles to every on road vehicle own or work
> > > on. I have never tried DOT 5.1 . The numbers in this chart are the
> minimum boiling points required to meet the DOT standard.
> > >
> > > Dry boiling point is what you get out of the can.
> > >
> > > Wet boiling point is what you get after the fluid is installed for a
> couple of years and has absorbed some moisture out of the air.
> > >
> > > I suggest that you want the best (highest) wet boiling point that you
> can find.
> > >
> > > I have a cheapy tester (under $10.00) that you can stick in your
> reservoir and measure the amount of that you fluid has absorbed.
> > >
> > >
> https://epicbleedsolutions.com/blogs/faq/whats-the-difference-between-dot-4-and-dot-5-1-brake-fluid#
> >
> > OK, I made you a little chart and added in some other options/ brands.
> For you emailers I have no control on how the columns line up, so I made
> > the chart with the temps first followed by the type / brands in an
> attempt to keep the columns readable for you.
> >
> > Dry(f) Wet(f) Type or brand
> > 401 284 DOT 3
> > 446 311 DOT 4
> > 506 321 Valvoline DOT 4
> > 509 338 Motorcraft DOT 4 Low Viscosity
> > 518 374 DOT 5.1
> > 536 388 ATE type 200 (blue or amber)
> >
> > What you are interested in is the wet boiling point number and ATE is
> still the winner there. It should be cheaper than DOT 5.1 .
> >
> > My thoughts on the subject is you should never be getting the fluid as
> hot as the dry boiling point of DOT 3. So if the moisture is measured at
> > least once a year, then you will know when to change fluid. A higher
> boiling point fluid will not hurt but keeping it dry, testing it
> occasionally,
> > and using the brakes sparingly should eliminate your problem.
> >
> >
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/ITEQ-Liquid-Tester-Indicators-Calibrated/dp/B076SC377J/ref=pd_sbs_263_t_0/144-1267831-6760043?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B076SC
> >
> 377J&pd_rd_r=eab66d98-ecb6-4ad7-b83e-77d602e1b52a&pd_rd_w=wcyNM&pd_rd_wg=5uXUf&pf_rd_p=5cfcfe89-300f-47d2-b1ad-a4e27203a02a&pf_rd_
> > r=3457G2X6SG8DKQTY886S&psc=1&refRID=3457G2X6SG8DKQTY886S
> >
> >
> >
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brake-Fluid-Tester-5-LED-Car-Vehicle-Auto-Automotive-Testing-Tool-For-DOT3-DOT4/262023966485?epid=1763134336&hash=item3d0
> > 1d86f15:g:4KYAAOSwozRZyLLi
>
> Thanks for this Ken. Just a FYI. It should be noted about the ATE Super
> Blue that "It has been determined that ATE Super Blue does not comply with
> the
> applicable US DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for brake fluid,
> due purely to blue-tint for the color. The federal standard requires motor
> vehicle brake fluid to be colorless or amber in color and distribution of
> super "blue" has been suspended. However, the same Fluid with out the Blue
> tint continues to be available!"
> The ATE is available in Amber. I've been using this for years and switch
> it off with the "Valvoline DOT 4". A little harder to see the Amber come
> through than it was the Blue, but still works. Blue is available IF you
> want to get it shipped from the UK, but is technically illegal to use in
> US.
> JWID
> --
> Larry
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
>
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--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmcrvparts.com
1-800-752-7502
 
I have been told that ATE blue is available in Canada but never tried to verify this. I have some around here so I have not tried to buy any more. I
have used DOT 4 for years but did put ATE in my GMC. I need to go test it some time soon for moisture. I think I forgot to test it last year.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
 
ATE Super blue brake fluid is still available in the USA and Canada. It isn’t as readily available, but it’s still out there and can be purchased for $18-20 a litre. It’s just being sold as a motor sports or off-road only product.

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'

>
> I have been told that ATE blue is available in Canada but never tried to verify this. I have some around here so I have not tried to buy any more. I
> have used DOT 4 for years but did put ATE in my GMC. I need to go test it some time soon for moisture. I think I forgot to test it last year.
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
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> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Looking up Mobile One grease specs, max operating temp is 302F so all but DOT3 will destroy your bearing grease. Remember that the wheel cylinders or
caliper are one step removed from the friction material or drum/disc so expect hub temps to track pretty close with brake fluid temps.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
John
that is a strange way of looking at it. Just because a can of brake fluid says it has a boiling point of, say, 500 deg F does not mean that it will run at 500 deg F.
If it get to 500 deg F with DOT 3 brake fluid the fluid will boil away and your brake parts will still get to 500 deg F or higher. The DOT 3 does not limit the temperature of your parts, bearings etc.,
So, how can you say al but DOT 3 braked fluid will destroy your bearing grease? If your bearings get over 302 Deg F (say 500 DEG F,) even DOT 3 will have boiled out and you would still destroy your bearing grease.

Emery Stora

>
> Looking up Mobile One grease specs, max operating temp is 302F so all but DOT3 will destroy your bearing grease. Remember that the wheel cylinders or
> caliper are one step removed from the friction materialor drum/disc so expect hub temps to track pretty close with brake fluid temps.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
>
> Looking up Mobile One grease specs, max operating temp is 302F so all but DOT3 will destroy your bearing grease. Remember that the wheel cylinders or
> caliper are one step removed from the friction material or drum/disc so expect hub temps to track pretty close with brake fluid temps.
> --
> John Lebetski
> Woodstock, IL
> 77 Eleganza II
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
The synthetic hub grease is compromised above 302F. If the DOT3 boils below that, then you get brake fade that limits further temp rise. Sure you
may crash, but your grease will not fail, causing not too distant future "unexplained " bearing failure with jettison of wheel assemblies etc. The
DOT3 acts as the fusible link in the system. Better practice is to not heat drums and discs into that operating range. I guess my point is in a
balanced system, adding performance in one area can put greater demands on other parts of the system that aren't alway accounted for.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
> Ken is the ATE product line blendable with other brands or does the brake system need to be flushed?

ATE TYP 200 amber or blue is DOT 3 and DOT 4 compatible. No flushing is required. Just empty the master cylinder with a baster, refill with ATE TYP
200, and start bleeding until the fluid coming out changes color.

--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana