Section : Rear Axle

silicon fluid

Posted By : David Bowers, 15-Jan-2006, 09:05pm

• silicon fluid

  Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 15-Jan-2006, 09:24pm

  no

• silicon fluid

  Posted By : Mark Stradling, 15-Jan-2006, 11:19pm

  I checked this out when I made the change and with the early silicon fluids you DID need to change the seals. Now unless you've had the bottle sitting on the shelf for the last 10 years waiting for the change you will be using modern silicon fluid. With this you DON'T have to change the seals/flush the system.
  
  That said a full set of seals only cost a few quid and they will need doing sooner or later so why not change them all when you've drained all the old fluid out of the system?

  • Silicon Fluid

    Posted By : Leon Guyot, 17-Jan-2006, 02:24am

    In my experience,
    
    If you use Silicon Fluid in systems that have previously used DOT3/4, you MAY have problems.
    
    If you use Silicon Fluid in new systems with new seals you SHOULD NOT experience any problems.
    
    Regards
    
    Léon
    
    Been using DOT5 Silicon fluid in my Vitesse since it hit the road in April 1997 with NO problems.

• Silicon Fluid

  Posted By : David Rumens, 17-Jan-2006, 06:29pm

  Your should be OK for a number of years. I had the seals go soft after some 7 years in our Gtfire. In many ways it is a good idea to change the seals after that length of time anyway.
  
  When I change them there was none of the normal corrosion in the cylinder bores and I was not dealing with a paint attacking fluid.
  
  

  • Silicon Fluid

    Posted By : David Bowers, 17-Jan-2006, 09:06pm

    All
    
    Thanks, Silicon sounds good then. I am using all new pipes but want to make sure I clean the slave and master cylinders out properly. Any tips on what I should use.
    
    Can I use the same fluid in both brake and clutch systems?
    
    Does anyone recommend a specific type of fluid?
    
    Thanks
    David

    • Silicon Fluid

      Posted By : Mark Stradling, 17-Jan-2006, 11:23pm

      If your replacing the seals I'd just take them off the car, strip them down and clean them out with old mineral fluid/kitchen roll.
      
      Yes.
      
      Can you get anything other than Automec?!?

      • Silicon Fluid

        Posted By : Chris Taylor, 20-Jan-2006, 07:01pm

        The only other stuff to use in cleaning brake bits internally is methylated spirits I think.
        Clutch and brake systems are very similar (in some of our cars they use the same master cylinder) so it would be foolish to change one system fluid and not the other. One day you are bound to forget which fluid is in which system if you're not careful. (That said, do remember to mark up the reservoirs with the fact that you use silicon fluid. Saves any future owner, family member or "helpful" friend, garage, RAC rescue etc putting mineral fluid again).

        • Silicon Fluid

          Posted By : David Bowers, 20-Jan-2006, 10:59pm

          Thanks Chris
          
          I'll go with meths to clean out the master and slave cylinders? Is it ok to use a bit of wet and dry down the bore to get rid of any imperfections to ensure smooth operation of the piston?
          
          If anyone has advise on what make of fluid to go for I would appreciate it?
          
          Thanks
          David

          • Silicon Fluid

            Posted By : Mark Stradling, 20-Jan-2006, 11:24pm

            I'm not sure I'd recommend using anything inside the bores - your more likely to leave fine scratches that will slowly 'pick' at the new rubber seals.
            
            If it's been there for 30 years without real problems it should be fine. If it's got any corrosion inside, buy new - they aren't expensive and breaks are one of those things that you really don't want to be taking any risks with.