RE: [alfa] RE: Time for Brake MC

["Jeff Greenfield" <alfaguy@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I hate to open the silicone vs conventional brake fluid thread again, but
...

I've seen more than a few cars in the North East that are stored during the
winter that when filled with silicone fluid the calipers rusted as badly (if
not worse) than cars filled with conventional fluid.

Problem is that the silicone fluid does not mix with the moisture that is
absorbed into the system. This means that the moisture settles out and tends
to accumulate in the lowest part of the system which is usually the brake
caliper(s).

Conventional (DOT 4) fluid will absorb the moisture and as long as the fluid
is changed every 1 to 2 years you will seldom have a problem with corrosion
in the system due to moisture.

BTW, in case anyone is wondering ... the LMA in Castrol DOT 4 brake fluid
stands for 'Low Moisture Affinity' :-)

Now, I'm sure some of you may have other opinions pro and con, this is just
mine and you are more than entitled to yours. I really don't want to see 100
or more messages in the next few days regarding the pros and cons of
silicone brake fluid. I'm gonna stay out of it from here on in ...

I now return you to your regularly scheduled discussions of free Berlinas,
164 fault codes and stepper motors, spica vs weber debates, and the proper
methods of engine break in procedures :-)

Jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-alfa@domain.elided [mailto:owner-alfa@domain.elided] On Behalf Of Gil
Gagne
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2003 8:50 PM
To: alfa-digest@domain.elided; jee@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] RE: Time for Brake MC

Joe,
Alfa owners in the rust belt states certainly have a different opinion
of DOT 5 brake fluid than you do. Some of us have been using it for
years and years without the problems casually attributed to it such as
soft pedal. Once properly installed, you can forget about caliper piston
rust, a distinct advantage for vehicles stored six months of the year.
Gil
Port Orange, FL
1985 Spider

>Simply put, don't use DOT 5 fluid in any vehicle that's
>driven seriously.  That stuff's for military trucks, Harleys, and
>museum piece vehicles.  And I think some fools use it in go-kart
>racing, although I can't imagine why.
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