I am on the final stretch of my knuckle job and went to bleed the brakes. Being tired and not paying attention, I added some DOT 5 brake fluide (silicone stuff) to my DOT3 brake fluid. When I got through bleeding the brakes, the waste fluid was like oil and water, a distinct line. THat was my first clue that I had screwed up big time. I assume that I should competely empty the system and start over. Any suggestions on how to "get 'er done" the easiest? Or, have I messed up the rubber stuff...hopefully not. The DOT 3 was looking pretty funky anyway.
brake fluid screw-up (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Heartworm
- Start date
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Just had to do some research on DOT 5 fluid the other day at work for a boat trailer I was replacing the disc brakes on. It called for DOT 5, and I had never used it before. As you found, the DOT 5 and the DOT 3 don't mix, and it will supposedly start to gel over time. As far as flushing it at home, the only way I know of is either bleed and bleed and bleed until it's all clean, or get a Mity vac or other hand operated brake bleeding vac system. There are a few different ones available. Most bigger shops, or tire service shops will have a brake flushing system, if you can get it to one. As far as the "rubber stuff", you should be fine. No harm done. You can run DOT 5 in most systems (not ABS systems). It is actually very good fluid. It has a much, much higher boiling point, won't absorb water, and won't damage paint. Most commonly it is used in HI-PO applications. I.E. motorcycles, race cars, etc., because of its high boiling point, which if memory serves is around 535*?
Lucky you aren't actually going to use the DOT 5.
Is DOT 5 the silicon stuff? Its supposed to give a squishier pedal feel because it compresses unlike the standard stuff AFAIK.
Yes DOT 5 is the silicone fluid. It's also blue. Kind of irrellavent, but interesting. Makes it easy to tell them apart. In rare occassions, you may find it bright yellow.
I posted this link recently, but will post it again. Interesting information.
http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml
I personally won't use synthetic brake fluid.
http://www.xs11.com/tips/maintenance/maint1.shtml
I personally won't use synthetic brake fluid.
60wag
SILVER Star
Hmmmm..... good stuff. Now I know more about brake fluid than I ever did before.
some more facts on dot 5 brake fluid
higher boiling point
does not absorb moisture (dot 3 does)
dot 5 does not have to be changed nearly as often as dot3 (I flush my brakefluid at 30000 miles when using dot 3)
Is compatible with most brake systems
High cost . because dot5 does not absorb moisture is a good reason to use . if you have looked at some calipers after 60000 miles using dot 3 and they have never been flushed they will show signs of interior corrosion and will lead to leaky brake components. since dot 5 does not absorb moisture but displaces it , Hydraulic brake components will last longer . I use dot 5 on all of my Ski lift Applications and I think it is worth the extra money my .02 cents
higher boiling point
does not absorb moisture (dot 3 does)
dot 5 does not have to be changed nearly as often as dot3 (I flush my brakefluid at 30000 miles when using dot 3)
Is compatible with most brake systems
High cost . because dot5 does not absorb moisture is a good reason to use . if you have looked at some calipers after 60000 miles using dot 3 and they have never been flushed they will show signs of interior corrosion and will lead to leaky brake components. since dot 5 does not absorb moisture but displaces it , Hydraulic brake components will last longer . I use dot 5 on all of my Ski lift Applications and I think it is worth the extra money my .02 cents
