What's not to like about silicone brake fluid? The stuff is compatible with
all seal materials, does not absorb atmospheric moisture, does not dissolve
paint, is rated for higher temperature operation, barely supports
combustion, does not need to be replaced, and is otherwise virtually inert.
Except for price silicone brake fluid seems to be superior to all the other
choices in every respect.
Best regards,
Rob Housman
Europa XS Tri-Gear A070
Airframe complete
Irvine, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of ivor.phillips
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Expanding brake fluid?
<ivor.phillips@ntlworld.com>
DOT5 silicone brake fluid is combatable with both types of seals used in the
master cylinders and callipers,its just unfortunate that it has many
drawbacks!
The latest DOT 5.1 is far superior to the silicone fluid but is glycol based
so the seals in the callipers are not suitable, If Europa had replaced the
calliper seals with automotive ones and left the master cylinders ones alone
then there wouldn't be a problem, Bleeding the system would be easier and
you would have a much firmer pedal/lever and a greatly reduced chance of
brakes dragging on and fading,
The downside is water accumulating in the system, easily rectified at the
annual check-up by bleeding the system, damaging paintwork if careless,
you are quite correct not to use automotive DOT3/4/5.1 with the current
seals.
but DOT5 silicone, is synthetic and is suitable although far from perfect!
The Mil-H-6060 Hydraulic fluid is broadly similar to Automatic transmission
fluid ATF, both IMHO preferable to silicone DOT5.
regards
Ivor Phillips
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