Re: alfa-digest V7 #696 - Brake Fluid

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

	In an Italian car, should not one use olive oil?  Less cholesterol, 
etc., than vegetable oil.
	Once upon a time, I used Castrol Girling fluid exclusively in a 
British car I owned pre Alfa.  When that was no longer available, I used 
Castrol crimson and later still Castrol LMA, which I still use in my Alfas.  
It is DOT 4 and I figure easier on the seals than DOT 3, or "American" fluid, 
which would eat the rubber out of British cars.
	I have asked a bunch of questions of Alfa mechanics and others.  No 
one seems concerned about using DOT 3 anymore.  I am looking for high 
temperature fluid for racing and racing DOT 3 is much cheaper and easier to 
acquire than DOT 4.  So I also hope someone with all the knowledge about the 
stuff will respond to us both.  My normal recommendation is to look in the 
owner's manual and use what it says.
	DOT 5 or silicone based brake fluid does have some advantages.  It is 
apparently not as caustic, but it does have an affinity with water and can 
cause rust.  I have heard that, but have never used DOT 5 to know for sure.
	To rebuild your system, get rebuild kits and flush everything with 
whatever brake fluid you decide upon.  To my knowledge, the only recommended 
solvent for brake systems is brake fluid.  Using solvents on the metal parts 
only, followed by soap and water on everything is not suggested.  However, I 
have done that.  Just make sure to rinse thoroughly with water and blow every 
bit of water out of the system.  Make sure your air compressor has a good 
water filter.
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 5/7/99 10:43:23 PM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:

<< 
 Date: Fri, 07 May 1999 11:58:42 -0400
 From: "Megan Elora Caverly" <meca@domain.elided>
 Subject: vegetable oil = brake fluid?
 
 In addition to our Alfa's I have a 67 Lancia Fulvia Zagato that I
 bought a little over a year ago.  Most bugs have been sorted out, but
 I'm left with a very strange one that I'm hoping the accumulated
 wisdom here can help with.  The PO had the car serviced by a very
 old-worldly minded mechanic who used vegetable oil in place of
 standard brake fluid.  Per the manual, and I guess once upon a time
 practice, this is/was a legitimate substitution option!  I do not want
 to perpetuate it however, so does anyone here have any pertinent
 experience with changing a brake system over from vegetable oil to
 proper brake fluid?  I need to replace my brake lines anyway, so
 they'll be fresh, but I'm wondering about seals, MC, etc. TIA,
 
 Megan Caverly
 
 P.S.  This is not a jest - I truly have veg.oil in the system, it's
 weird stuff, and I want it replaced without worrying about a system
 failure.  Body bits for this car are pretty much unobtainium. 
  >>

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