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
> > ...I found the
> > brakes appeared to be seized solid but eventually discovered that I
> > could release them by bleeding a little fluid out of each cylinder. Two
> > days later the same thing occurred and again today.
> >
> > I changed the seals in the cylinders before installation as per
> > instructions and used DOT5 synthetic brake fluid.
> >
> > Anyone else had this problem or can suggest a reason / solution?
> >
> > Richard Iddon.
>
> I interpreted the manual to mean, by changing the piston cups to the ones
supplied, automotive DOT brake fluid is not used, but rather the Mil-H-6060
red stuff. At least the latter has not caused any swelling of the seals, a
potential cause of the problem?
>
> Regards,
> Fred F.
>
>
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