RE: [T3] Brake Bleeding

["Jim Adney" <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 29 Aug 98, at 11:47, Gurrola_J wrote:

> I have heard conflicting stories regarding the use of pure silicone
> brake fluid, mostly relating to my newer car, 94 Golf.   I tkae it that
> the older system of my squareback is OK to use DOT 5 fluid?  Will it
> affect any parts of the system like the rubber components, etc?

There's a lot of misinformation out there.  Even the water cooled 
Bentley manuals warn not to use DoT 5 in those cars.  There is 
however no basis for this warning.  I have put it in dozens of such 
cars.  Dow Corning has put it in hundreds.  The materials involved 
are the same and the silicone fluid is better for them than the DoT 3 
or 4.  Understand that there is NO point in installing anything other 
than PURE DoT 5.

There is some concern that the silicone fluid may not be suitable for 
use in a car with ABS brakes.  The jury is still out on that 
question.  The potential problem is with the ABS pump parts.  It is 
possible that the silicone fluid is not a suitable lubricant for 
them.

In any case, installation of Dot 5 requires special understanding, 
techniques, and skills.  I have a FAQ if anyone wants a copy.  I used 
to send it out as an attachment whenever this question came up, but I 
can't do that anymore ;-)

Maybe Greg has it on his web site.

Jim

Jim
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Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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