Irony
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:15 AM |
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How to tell Dot.5 from 5.1?
Right, I have been a plonker.
Filled my braking system a few weeks back and I searched around and bought some from Halfords. I know I bought DOT5 or DOT5.1. After
filling/bleeding I ended up using all the whole lot. Missus chucked the empty bottle away. I thought at the time 'damn I should have kept that
for future reference'. I thought well they only had 1 type at halfords (either DOT5 or DOT5.1) so I'll go back and by some. Halfords
have discontinued their own brand. So how do I tell the two apart? The fluid is a CLEAR AMBER.
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gingerprince
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:28 AM |
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I hope it was 5.1 not 5.0 that you used - the latter is incompatible to 3, 4, 5.1 etc as it's silicon based and the types should not be mixed.
I think it can also cause issues with seals etc over time.
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watsonpj
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:37 AM |
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look in this thread
http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=198417
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Irony
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:44 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by watsonpj
look in this thread
http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=198417
Aha, cheers for that. I wish people would title threads appropriately.
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Irony
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:47 AM |
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From another forum in the states
DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 can be mixed if necessary, according to the instructions on the cans. The temperature range is higher as it progresses from DOT 3 to
4 to 5.1
DOT 5 and DOT 5.1 are not the same.
DOT 5 is a silicone based fluid, and DOT 3, 4, and 5.1 are glycol? based.
don't guess.... this is how to check:-
Essentially, there are two types. The first one is regular auto brake fluid. The second type is Silicone-based brake fluid.
You can not mix the two types of fluid (well, you can, but you will end up with a jelly-like mess).
You need to find out which you have already in the system. Here's how:-
1. Get a dropper (an eye or ear-dropper) and withdraw some fluid from the master cylinder.
2. Put it into a glass jar and then add some clean water to the fluid.
3. Now put the lid on the jar and shake it well.
4. Let it stand for a few minutes.
5. If the water and the fluid have mixed thoroughly and can not be separately identified, then you have regular auto brake fluid.
6. However, if the water and the fluid have not mixed, or have formed blobs or layers, then the fluid is Silicone.
That's all there is to it. Lots of people think that you can recognise which is which by looking at the colour of the fluid, or by its odor.
Don't risk it. Use the test outlined above. It's already been said that DOT 5 is not always purple, or that it can change color after time
to a yellow that looks like DOT 3.
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dhutch
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:51 AM |
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Indeed, all of the above.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 11:57 AM |
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I am 75% sure Halfords don't do the 5.0 fluid, it's not something that the average 'man on the street' would buy.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 12:13 PM |
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All of the above.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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Benzine
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 12:17 PM |
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DOT4 tastes a little tangy, DOT5 is kinda sour, and DOT5.1 actually tastes pretty good.
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gremlin1234
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 12:43 PM |
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Halfords may no longer stock it, but they have a review on their site, indicates its 5.1
http://reviews.halfords.com/4028/622019/reviews.htm
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 03:00 PM |
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Add water - 5.0 won't mix (hydrophobic), 5.1 will do (hydroscopic)
Lots of other far more scientific tests, some involving making explosive material... but the Thought Police will be on their way already. The above
should suffice.
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luke2152
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 03:19 PM |
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Dot 5 is pretty rare. Its a military one intended for vehicles that might get stored unused for years in reserve. I'd be very surprised if
halfords sold it
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scudderfish
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 06:42 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Benzine
DOT4 tastes a little tangy, DOT5 is kinda sour, and DOT5.1 actually tastes pretty good.
I find mixing 4:1 with meths improves the taste of DOT5 no end.
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motorcycle_mayhem
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| posted on 23/6/15 at 07:07 PM |
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I experimented with DOT5 on my 1967 Land Rover. In theory, an ideal fluid for the thing, given it's operational circumstances. Purchased
directly from Automec it wasn't that expensive, well, not as expensive as some.
It turned out not to be a good thing. Bleeding the bleeding thing (it's a 109 with TLS) is always difficult, but the air would simply not
separate from the fluid. The seals on the master and slave cylinders then ruptured, as they turned to jelly. Experiment over.
Thing with the Land Rover is that it's a single circuit braking system, so any leaks/problems/air/whatever and you have no brakes.
Complete replacement of everything and a return to DOT4... or 3 or 5.1, anything ethereal, all now OK (or as good as it can be).
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