![]() ![]() Once water is inside a brake system, it is absorbed into glycol-based fluid and dispersed throughout the system. Glycol based fluids absorb about one percent (or more) moisture per year of service life. They also have the ability to mix with water and still perform adequately. DOT 4 contains borate esters in addition to what is contained in DOT 3.īoth DOT 3 and DOT 4 are hygroscopic, which mean they will absorb water from the atmosphere. Water and moisture can also penetrate rubber brake hoses through microscopic pores which are too small for fluid to leak out of, but large enough for air to pass through (most modern brake hoses have inner liners of material designed to prevent this).ĭOT 3 fluids are mixtures of glycol and glycol ethers. These include using cans of brake fluid that were left open, the master cylinder was left open to the atmosphere too long, or even the vent in the master cylinder cap. Moisture enters the brake system in several ways. Glycol dissolves the cup, silicone does not. Department of Transportation.Īll classic cars originally came from the factory with glycol-based brake fluid.Īn easy way to find out which brake fluid type you have is to put a few drops of it in a styrofoam coffee cup. To judge each type's effectiveness, they are rated by temperature boiling points, both dry (no water absorbed) and wet (about 3% to 4% water content). There are four types of brake fluid to consider for your classic car:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |