Best type of brake fluid?

[dustbru]

Could anybody tell me, please, which number viscosity of synthetic brake fluid is the best to use on a Morris Minor 1000's standard brake drums? Thank you. Mick.

[Matt]

Use Dot 4 fluid.

[bmcecosse]

Or DOT 3 - it's perfectly satisfactory in a Minor.

[IslipMinor]

which number viscosity of synthetic brake fluid

If you really mean synthetic fluid, then unless you already know you have it in the system, then do not use it. It does not mix with the normal mineral fluid.

Synthetic fluid has a very mixed reputation, and is often associated with a 'soft' brake pedal. AP Lockheed say do not use it under any circumstances, and they design brake systems as their 'day job'!

Just waiting for the replies.

[dustbru]

Thanks. I realise now that I should have put "silicon" instead of synthetic.

[MarkyB]

Here you go then!

I'm not hearing any advocacy for fitting steel brake pipes for some reason?

If you are replacing all or most of the system I'd say that filling it with silicone fluid is a no brainer, it won't be sucking atmospheric water into the brake system day and night encouraging the brake cylinders to seize up with rust.

It can be a bit more difficult to get a hard pedal but for me the effort is worth it as the brake components are that much less likely to fail.

There are scare stories about the dangers of mixing it with brake fluid but they all tend to be 3rd hand at best.

If it's said that no modern cars use it then the price and the lack of interest in the fate of the cars after they are 3 years old and out of the fleet market answer them.

[bmcecosse]

The silicon fluid is the spawn of the Devil - avoid avoid avoid.......... DOT 3 or 4 is what you need......

[lambrettalad]

that's a Halloween reply

[MarkyB]

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition!
3rd hand maybe wrong, is it a Papal bull?
Stops my car just fine whenever I use it.

[simmitc]

There is absolutely no problem with silicone fluid. It has several advantages: Not hydroscopic (as noted above, it does not absorb water, thus reducing corrosion); environmentally safe; it is inert and will not strip paint - a real boon if doing any work that might result in a spill. Automec make it, and they would not sell it if there was a problem with it that could result in liability. I have used it in all my Minors for years, and had no problems at all.

If it's already in the system, then no problem. If changing from older fluids then change all seals and flush the whole system thoroughly.

[lambrettalad]

can you tell the two apart? I ask as I do not know whats in mine,or do i need to drain the whole lot to top up?

[bmcecosse]

NO modern car uses the stuff - there must be a reason...... And it's ferociously expensive........

[MarkyB]

You just answered your own question.

[Minornut59]

Silicone fluid is good stuff. I have four Minors and an Austin 1300 and used to use it in all of them as every year i would always get a seized rear cylinder or something for the MOT. Once i put silicone in it stopped all that, presumably as it does not absorb water.
My cars are all in daily use and as far as i was concerned it was a fit and forget, apart from topping up.
I have not used it recently as the price has gone sky high and i can't justify the expense any more, so its back to 'ordinary' stuff.

The only thing i noticed was under hard braking that brake fade was a bit more noticeable but on the Austin that didn't show as that has a disc/drum set up, albeit a non-assisted system.

Good stuff in my opinion, as its non-corrosive as well as being non hydroscopic.
I think some US racing cars use it?

[simmitc]

The older stuff is usually yellowish in colour whilst Automec silicone is mauve - I don't know about other makes. If you have some scrap paintwork, pour some of the old stuff on it. If, after a while, the paint bubbles, then it is not silicone. You can also smell the difference, but without a sample, it's difficult to describe.

[lambrettalad]

thanks simmitc,thats very helpful ,should have worked out the paint myself only excuse is the medicinal rum tots for my man flu must have been doubles hic

[les]

12 years with silicone in the system, all cylinders still fine, and often vehicle not used for weeks at a time over the years. I'd say that was a reasonable recommendation.