parker2520 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Can anyone tell me if DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is O.K. to use in 2000AWD Cross Country Turbo and can it be mixed with dot 4Plus? Thanks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turboV70 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Can anyone tell me if DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is O.K. to use in 2000AWD Cross Country Turbo and can it be mixed with dot 4Plus? Thanks....←The owners manual says to only use DOT 4. I'm not sure if DOT 5 would do any harm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfish Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Can anyone tell me if DOT 5 silicone brake fluid is O.K. to use in 2000AWD Cross Country Turbo and can it be mixed with dot 4Plus? Thanks....←The answer is no. If silicone is introduced into an older brake system, the silicone will grab on the sludge created by gradual component deterioration and create a gelatin like goop which will attract more crud and eventually plug up metering orifices or cause pistons to stick. If you have already changed to DOT 5, don't compound your initial mistake and change back. Silicone is very tenacious stuff and you will never get it all out of your system. Just change the fluid regularly and use new fluid from a sealed metal can and not a plastic bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay13 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 use new fluid from a sealed metal can and not a plastic bottle.Which means that most of your DOT 4 or equivalent are now out the window cause they come in a plastic bottle. Not to mention that you can say you are equivalent but not meet all the DOT specs for that level. The dumb lableing rules, and the way things are worded. But think about it, if it was DOT 4+ then the lable would say DOT 4+, not something else, don't be fooled.PS. Oh ya, what Starfish said, NO you can't use DOT 5 (silicone) fluid in the Volvo brake system. Now there is a DOT 5.1 spec that is OK but not the silicone based dot 5.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_parker2520_* Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 So. What now? It's in there. Should I replace with DOT 4? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay13 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 From a dealer stand point and liability issues, Every part in the brake system that comes into contact with seals will now have to be replaced. Calipers, hydraulic block, master cylinder.What can you get by with, I have no Idea. Some times mistakes are nothing but sometimes they are costly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillAileo Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 FWIW: A number of years ago when I had an '83 245 and an '85 244 I drained the Dot 3/4 fluid from both of them and replaced it with silicone. It may not have been the brightest thing to do, but I ran both those vehicles for at least 100,000 miles each after the switch and never encountered a problem. However, in later years I learned that one of the positive aspects of DOT5 fluid, that it does not absorb mositure, is also a negative, because if water does get in the system it does not get absorbed by the brake fluid and flushed out with the next change of fluid. That creates the possibility of leaving pockets of mosture in the system. Not a good thing.Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 So. What now? It's in there. Should I replace with DOT 4?←Once someone adds DOT 5 silicone brake fluid to their vehicle they will have to continue to use this type of fluid. Going back to DOT 4+ will not help stop build up of the gelatin goop. You will need to continue its use and flush the system with the same DOT 5 silicone fluid but on a more regular basis than if you would have continued to use the DOT 4+. The only way to go back to the original fluid is to do what Rich stated and change every hose, steel line, caliper, master cylinder, ABS hydraulic unit and pump and any other unmentioned part that carries brake fluid. There is no way to remove the silicone from those components. What BillAileo stated about the DOT 5 not absorbing moisture and/or allowing the possibility of pockets of is moisture which can lead to component failure is 100% correct too. Just try to make anyone aware of the need to use DOT 5 fluid if they are servicing your car. Perhaps adding a label to the master cylinder cap maybe a good reminder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfish Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 I'll try to log in twice next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montgom Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Which means that most of your DOT 4 or equivalent are now out the window cause they come in a plastic bottle. Not to mention that you can say you are equivalent but not meet all the DOT specs for that level. The dumb lableing rules, and the way things are worded. But think about it, if it was DOT 4+ then the lable would say DOT 4+, not something else, don't be fooled.PS. Oh ya, what Starfish said, NO you can't use DOT 5 (silicone) fluid in the Volvo brake system. Now there is a DOT 5.1 spec that is OK but not the silicone based dot 5.0←Okay, I have tried to get DOT 4+. I went to my Volvo dealer and they said "we don't sell over the counter". Okay, where do I get it I ask? Any good parts store. I ask, do you know of one in the area that sell DOT 4+, Castrol? They said, "No". So, my journey begins. I have called 4 parts stores. They all ahve Valvoline Synpower which exceeds DOT 3 and DOT 4 with a boiling point above 500 degrees (DOT 4+ boils at > 536 degrees) Valvoline even states that Synpower exceeds DOT 3 and 4.So, what am I suppoed to do? Can anyone tell me someone that sells DOT 4+ online? Can I use Valvoline Synpower ( SynPower High Performance Synthetic Brake Fluid ) http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/pr....asp?product=51 ????Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay13 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 http://www.raceshopper.com/ate_brake_fluid.shtmlThis super blue is above the dot 4+ specs and will work great in your car.Try calling fttp://www.fcpgroton and as if they would sell you the Volvo brake fluid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parker2520 Posted July 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 So, based on this theory(silicone brake fluid erodes the gaskets) wouldn't it follow that changing TO synthetic motor oil would deteriorate and erode the rings etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parker2520 Posted July 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Disregard last message,Don't know what I'm thinking of....Just pissed off at my stupidity.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay13 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Understand, no problem. Just find a good source for dot 5 silicone fluid and flush it at least once a year and you should be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montgom Posted August 4, 2005 Report Share Posted August 4, 2005 Understand, no problem. Just find a good source for dot 5 silicone fluid and flush it at least once a year and you should be OK.←In the specials and reviews section, where they discuss ATE, they also talk about Valvoline SynPowerDOT 4 Requirements Valvoline SynPower Ate Super Blue Dry Boil Point 414 ºF 502 º F 536 º F Wet Boil Point 279 º F 343 º F 392 º F I know I have asked before, but I would like to ask why can't I use Valvoline SynPower ?????Sorry if my question is the same old question, but curious minds want to know.Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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