Brake fluid??

[Mike Arteaga]

Just about to bleed the rebuilt rear calipers on my 67'L79. Bought the car from a dealer with minmum info so I'm not sure what fluid I have but its clear with no smell so I assume I have silicone? Are there different types or will any premium silicone brake fluid do?? Sure appreciate any help!! Thanks! Mike Arteaga #34566

[Joe L.]

Re: Brake fluid??

Mike-----

You need to ascertain, for certain, which fluid that is in the car now before you add new fluid as part of bleeding. I would take some of the fluid out and put it in a glass jar. Add some conventional glycol-ester DOT-3 or 4 brake fluid and shake it up. Let it sit for a little while until it "clears". If you see a phase seperation (like oil on water or "two layers"), then the fluid in the car is silicone. If there is no phase seperation, then it's glycol fluid installed. This test can also be done using water instead of brake fluid, since glycol fluid is infinitely soluble (miscible) in water and silicone fluid is not soluble in water. Nevertheless, I prefer to do the test using DOT-3 or 4 brake fluid. It's cheap.

[Mike Arteaga]

Re: Brake fluid??

Joe Thanks!! Are there different silicone qualities or any premium grade will do?? Thanks again!! Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: Brake fluid??

Mike-----

Basically, all the silicone brake fluids on the market are about the same. There are only 1 or 2 manufacturers that actually manufacture it, although many "bottle it".

[Mike Arteaga]

Re: Brake fluid??

Thanks again!! Mike Arteaga