![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kalispell Montana
Posts: 92
|
Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
Anyone ever changed from conventional DOT 3 to DOT 5 silicone based? I discovered my proportion valve had leaked over the winter and of course peeled the paint right off my inner fender!*^&$%^%^#!!! Bought a new chrome master cylinder with the proportion valve built in and thinking of changing to DOT 5 so I never have to worry about a brake leak ruining any paint. Had one guy tell me flush with alcohol, blow the lines out with air hose, and bleed with the new fluid?
Any other experience, advice, opinions? Thanks Kev |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Puyallup WA
Posts: 122
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
Problem is dot 5 is racing fluid. It is to be changed always. It is not hydroscopic meaning meant to absorb water. If left in too long dot 5 will loose it's boiling point much faster that dot 3 or 4. It is used for racing only. Dot 5 is not recommended for every day use. Supercars come with dot 4...
__________________
70 lwb c-10 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Knoxville TN
Posts: 1,170
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
I would consider mineral oil for mild performance applications if entire system is brand new. Dot 3 exposed seals will be damaged by mineral oil. Not fond of Dot 5 because condensed H2O can pool and cause corrosion and performance issues. I use Dot 3 and change fluid every few years to avoid corrosion. Fresh Dot 3 has corrosion inhibitors. Dot 3 can damage paint. Quickly remove Dot 3 from paint w/ H20 or dish soap + H2O. Dot 5 can cause fish eyes when repainting. Not easy to completely flush system before changing to incompatible fluid.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northwest NJ
Posts: 746
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
I used dot 5 in my truck around 10 years ago. I replaced all the lines and every thing else. The fluid is still perfectly clean. My 2002 Harley came stock with it.
Posted via Mobile Device |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Loveland, CO
Posts: 1,921
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
My knowledge of the brake fluid differences is limited, however I've seen/heard of a lot more people converting to DOT 4 rather than DOT 5.
__________________
Zach 1970 Chevrolet Custom Camper K20 1971 GMC Super K2500, 12V/NV4500 swap in progress 1971 Chevrolet Custom C10 1972 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe C20, 5.3/4L60E 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 455/TH400, 3.73 posi 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD, LB7/Allison, CCSB 2005 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3/4L60E, CCSB |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lynn Haven Florida
Posts: 1,019
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
when i did my 4 wheel disc conversion i went with dot 3 synthetic , it's not suppose to attrach moisture like regular dot 3 , so far so good
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
One of the First
![]() Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Augustine,FL.
Posts: 4,054
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
I run DOT 5 in my K20 and K5. No problems. All brand new components when I decided to use DOT 5.
__________________
DAVID PASSMORE ST AUGUSTINE ,FL ZIP 32084 '71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili) '72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule) '72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie) Last edited by D.PASSMORE; 05-24-2013 at 07:03 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2013
Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA
Posts: 1,174
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
use dot 5.1 , not 5 , 5 is silicon and will not play well retrofiting your old system , 5.1 is great stuff being compatable with dot 3 and 4 , but has superior performance , higher boiling point , if you had a dot 3 system that was low you could top off with 5,1 , if you put 5 in it would destroy everything . i went thru a 3 year strugle with a brake issue in a 67 chevelle tryed every fluid , 5.1 was best , I tryed wrapin headers , lines , moving line and the brakes would lock after a few miles , even changed headers , turned out the rod from the booster was 1/16 of an inch too long into the master 2 5 cent washers between the booster and master solved the problem , since I have seen the same issue several times .
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Virginia's Eastern Shore
Posts: 91
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
Some info you might find interesting:
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/.../0509sc_fluid/ http://www.duntovmotors.com/tech-brake-fluid.php |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Klein Texas
Posts: 3,852
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1 are glycol based fluid and will remove paint
DOT is silicone based and doesn't remove paint. It has some drawbacks but nothing I'd worry about.
__________________
My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Kalispell Montana
Posts: 92
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
Thanks to all for your replies. And thanks to Crabass for the links. Gave me a lot more to think about.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
|
Re: Replace DOT 3 with DOT 5 Brake Fluid
Quote:
Posted via Mobile Device |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|