Which Brake Fluid?

Talk about the E-Type Series 3
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dooley1414
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#1 Which Brake Fluid?

Post by dooley1414 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:28 pm

Hi all.... I have an ex. US Series 3 V12.... and was wondering what brake fluid to use? I don't know what's in it at the moment but is it best to use dot 3 or dot 4 thanks.... Des.
Ex. Texas Import 1971 Series 3 V12
Des. Suffolk.

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chrisfell
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#2 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by chrisfell » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:34 pm

I always Use DOT 5.1. Others will tell you different, but I ignore them.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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Series1 Stu
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#3 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by Series1 Stu » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:45 pm

:yeahthat:

Agree with Chris. Although anything but DOT 5, which is silicone and doesn't have any lubricating properties.

Perversely, DOT 5.1 isn't silicone based so it's good to use.

Regards
Stuart

If you can't make it work, make it complicated!

'62 FHC - Nearing completion
'69 Daimler 420 Sovereign
'78 Land Rover Series 3 109

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#4 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by dooley1414 » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:22 pm

Many thanks to you both. 5.1 it is then.
Ex. Texas Import 1971 Series 3 V12
Des. Suffolk.

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abowie
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#5 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by abowie » Mon Oct 09, 2017 4:43 am

Dot 3, 4 and 5.1 are mineral (oil) based fluids, and are cross compatible. The higher the number the higher the boiling point, and cost.
Dot 5 fluid is silicone based and is not compatible with mineral based fluids.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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chrisfell
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#6 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by chrisfell » Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:41 am

I buy my DOT5.1 in bulk, as I have three cars and a motorcycle requiring fluid changes which I do every two years. However, I don’t buy it in four or five litre cans, but in 500ml bottles. So there is always one bottle unopened, should I have to bleed a system after (say) dropping the rear cage to repair a prop shaft. Search the interweb, check out eBay and Amazon, there are plenty of suppliers who’ll help reduce the cost.
Chris '67 S1 2+2

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JJC
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#7 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by JJC » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:35 pm

Always a matter of opinion, but Dot 3 has worked for me for years. These are street cars, not race cars, so a higher boiling point unnecessary.

John

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71 V12
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#8 Re: Which Brake Fluid?

Post by 71 V12 » Sun Nov 26, 2017 8:55 pm

I had the same query a few years ago and enquired with AP. Their engineer recommended DOT 3 due to having a higher lubricity than DOT 4. Seems to work well in my V12.

Kevin

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