Re: Another Brake Fluid Question

[Randy Wilson <randy@taylor.infi.net>]

>All of our local suppliers have stopped carrying it here in northern 
>Utah.  I'm considering changing over to a silicone based fluid.  Does 
>anyone have any experience with it in Jags ?  Anything to do or not 
>to do that I should know about ?  Thanks in advance.


Ohhhhhh, here we go. This has the potential to be as much fun as the
snake oil wars. :>

I consider silicone fluid okay for trailer queens. Nah, that's not true.
I've just given up bitching at people about it. Do not use it if your
car has ABS, or if you *really* use your brakes.

Silicone fluid has a higher ulitmate boiling point. But I have been told,
and have witnessed evidence of, the fluid getting all weird; semi-compressible;
at a much lower temperature. I have never heard of anyone sucessfully racing
with silicone fluid. I know several vintage racers that have tried. And
a few that have yet to be convinced the fluid is their problem.

The big advertising of silicone is that it doesn't pick up water. Yep. What
is not metioned is the water that would normally be absorbed by the fluid
is not; but it's still gets in to the system. Being heavier, the water sinks
to the low point. I get to hammer apart seized up Healy 3000 brake boosters
regularly due to this.

Silicone fluid does not attack paint. True.


ABS makers, all ABS makers, specificly warn against using silicone fluid in
the system. They have a specific reason... and it's related to the first
part above, getting weird at a fairly low temp. I do not remember enough of
the fluid dynamics jargon to even attempt a description. Not boiling, but
foaming due to the high frequency pressure changes of the fluid screaming
around in an activated ABS valve block.

With my main street bomb, I *use* the brakes. I *use* the tires. And, I
often use the rev limiter (recently lowered to 8500) as a shift point 
indicator. I use Castrol LMA, Yokohama A008/RS, and Mobil 1 15w/50. Your 
application, and therefore requirements, may vary. I certainly hope so, I'd 
hate to think about a world with everyone driving like I do. :> 

>
>Jim Cantrell
>
>


   Randy K. Wilson
     randy@taylor.infi.net

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References:

• Another Brake Fluid Question
• From: "Jim Cantrell" <jimc@sysdiv.sdl.USU.edu>

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