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MG TD TF 1500 - brake fluid

Thinking about bleeding the brakes on my TF...as I doubt I will find Genuine Lockheed brake fluid on the local shelf at auto zone...will Dot 3 or 4 be sufficient without doing harm? Years back in my mis spent youth had a run in with disaster by not using Girling brake fluid in my Healey 3000
jeff payne

Jeff, there is more thought on brake fluid in the archives than you can believe. My recollection is that Dot 4 performs better than Dot 3 when it comes to moisture, and that the newer Silicon fluids are favored by those who don't overheat them by racing. There were problems with the silicon fluid reacting badly with the rubber, and then blocking vent holes, causing brakes to lock until they were bled off, but the non marring features of silicon on paint is a plus.

For regular driving and for storage some say rebuild your whole system and then put in silicon. If I were just adding, I would probably go Dot 3 if that was what is in there, and Dot 4 if you intend to bleed enough to get nearly all the Dot 3 out.

Others may correct my misconceptions!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Jeff,
With all due respect to all who will reply to this question, I think we should direct you to become a member, and then go to the archives and do a search on brake fluid. There you will find out probably more than you might want to know about the subject...

Hope this helps..
SPW
Steve Wincze

Jeff,
Long time no type...good to hear from you again! I had the same experance you described years ago in our bug-eye. Recently had MC rebuilt as part of my 2005 "minor oil change" (Izzy had a freshly rebuilt 1500 now!). When I asked what fluid they put in DOT 4 was the answer I got, (up till then I was using "Genuine Lockhead") have not had any problems yet. Near as I can tell ...only differance between Dot3 and Dot4 is "boiling point" is higher in Dot4..and aomewhat better as far as moisture. I'm sure somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.
Cheers,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

I've always used Castrol ( I think DOT 4) in all my British cars over the years. Never had a problem.

Dan H.
Dan Hanson

Jeff..depending on how long that fluid has been in the system, if its longer than 5-6 years, it might be a good idea to flush it all out and replace it with new fluid anyway and its not that much work.
I have used Castrol GT LMA, which exceeds dot 3 & 4, and is not a silcone base product. This fluid has really good mositure resistance.
Brake rebuild on my TF was 7 years ago and it is rock solid on the pedal today.
Colin Stafford

Either use Castrol GT LMA or convert to DOT 5. Silicone.
Under no circumstances use DOT 3! If you still have any early seals or hoses they will disintegrate. It may be that some of the later seals don't care, but play it safe, Castrol works!

Dave,
the only time you have trouble with silicone is if you put it in a system that has all the seals saturated with glycol based fluid. Do a complete brakes system rebuild with all new seals and hoses, flush lines with acetone or alcohol, and then add silicone. NEVER MIX with glycol or glycol residue!

MGB on silicone since 1975, MG TF since 1980, never a brake problem!!!
Don Harmer

Thanks for the advice, Don, as always!

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

I've been using Valvoline dot 4 for a couple of years with no problems so far. But I have had trouble with dot 3 swelling hoses and eating seals. Don't use dot 3!
Tom

This thread was discussed between 15/09/2005 and 17/09/2005

MG TD TF 1500 index

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