dot 4 or 5, need quick answer!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
I rebuilt the calipers and ...same thing..
Dot 4 factory, but rebuild kit said dot 5..
I just emptied it and "flushed it" with Dot 5....no problems..
It's been 3yrs now..
So I don't want to hear about The BS of mixing
Dot 5 I believe (as I recall it) has Silicon in it
Dot 4 factory, but rebuild kit said dot 5..
I just emptied it and "flushed it" with Dot 5....no problems..
It's been 3yrs now..
So I don't want to hear about The BS of mixing
Dot 5 I believe (as I recall it) has Silicon in it
Last edited by katobird; Feb 25, 2013 at 04:27 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Florissant
Bought used last august. PO put taller bars on so when he changed the lines I would imagine he changed the fluid. Mine is also not ABS so he very well could have put dot 5 in and was smart enough to change the caps when he did. Now when you say you flushed the fluid are you letting the old drain out while adding new? What are you doing exactly?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Florissant
They say it gums up like GM's dexcool antifreeze would do if mixed with reg. Might not notice as much since a lot smaller system. How you flush exactly? Let old drain out while adding new? How get crud out from bottom of fluid cup, straw?
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Florissant
Googled switching 4 to 5 and found this article... http://www.britcycle.com/Manuals/DOT5.htm, also read another PDF file that said dot 5 should be a purple color and it also said that if the caps say dot 5 it also could mean 5.1 which is non silicone but is better for ABS. Think I will try the paint test and see what happens, not going anywhere for a while, snow on the ground and more coming...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,565
Likes: 57,122
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Ascertaining the correct fluid type ( http://www.gabma.us/docs/dot5.pdf ) to use is important, especially when adding or topping off fluids, however when totally evacuating the system, flushing and then refilling you can change fluid types. Of course you'll want to remember which type of fluid you've used to refill the system. If it's a scooter that sits for extended periods of time a Dot 5 would be an excellent choice as it is hygroscopic ( which means it doesn't absorb moisture form the atmosphere ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brake_fluid . There are some pro's an con's to the different type of fluid available today, so take a minute to read the first link I provided ... it will help you make a choice should you choose to use something different from the HD recommended fluid. Hope this helps. Good Luck Brother.
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 300
Likes: 6
From: South Carolina
Dot 5 is purple and Dot 4 is clear. They don't mix. You can put some of each in a bottle they will seperate and the Dot 4 will go to the bottom. The Dot 5 is not as hard on paint as Dot 4 but Dot 5 is not recommended in ABS systems.
Billy
Billy
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 129
Likes: 1
From: Florissant
Both of mine say DOT5, just called dealer and they said to use what caps say. Haven't pulled the rear cap off but the front looked amber to me.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
I am not sure how anyone can say "use what the cap says" if it is known that the bars were changed and there exists a possibility that the PO could have done something.
In terms of the "colour" test my concern would be that, if you feel the fluid needs changing then by default discolouration must also be present.
Did a quick google search and found this, which sounds very sensible
http://www.british-cars.net/mga-bbs/...5403828055.htm
In terms of the "colour" test my concern would be that, if you feel the fluid needs changing then by default discolouration must also be present.
Did a quick google search and found this, which sounds very sensible
http://www.british-cars.net/mga-bbs/...5403828055.htm