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Dot 5.1 brake fluid

 

Plan-

what I want to do

With the new brake lines and speed-bleeders in place on my Supra, now is a good time to completely replace the brake fluid.  I didn't want to go with DOT 5 as it is a true synthetic, it doesn't mix well with other fluids requiring the brake system to be spotlessly clean, and is hard to pour without making bubbles.  DOT 5.1 has similar properties but is non-synthetic and fully compatible with other fluids.  I had to try a couple of places before I found someone that had even heard of Motul and DOT 5.1. 

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Project-

what I did

I used a baster to remove the fluid from the master cylinder and then took off the fluid reservoir.  With carb cleaner, q-tips, and rags on the end of a screwdriver, I removed all the gunk and sludge from the reservoir, inside and out, then reinstalled it.  After filling the reservoir, I started with the back right brakes and worked my way to the front left.  All I had to do was loosen each bleeder 1/4 turn, attach a line from the bleeder into a jar and pump the brakes.  After 20 pumps I refilled the reservoir and checked the lines to see if I saw any air bubbles or dirty fluid and then continued as needed.  My old brake fluid was very brown, so it was very easy to see when the new fluid had made it past the wheel cylinders.  With the new bleeders, this was done in a matter of minutes.

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Difficulty-

things that made it hard

1- Finding DOT 5.1 fluid was the only problem I had.  Even a couple of the motorcycle shops gave me the "deer in the headlights" look.

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Problems-

with the product/install or that came up later

1- None.

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Payoff-

what I felt the "bang for the buck" was

The brakes haven't felt this good in years.  Nice firm pedal and no fade.  With how easy it is to bleed the brakes now, this was well worth the price.

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Stock-

specs/info on the stock item

Minimum boiling points (actual points vary from brand to brand)- Dot 3 dry 401° and wet 284°, Dot 4 dry 446° and wet 311°, Dot 5 dry 500° and wet 356°, Dot 5.1 dry 518° and 375°.  Dry boiling point is with clean fluid and wet is with 3% water by volume. 

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Upgrade-

benefits of the new item

Basically, the boiling point equals brake fade, the higher the number the more you can abuse the fluid without problems.  Notice that Dot 5.1 is far above the others.  For more info.

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See, it does exist

 

 

 

 

Last updated: Freitag Oktober 21, 2005

Copyright © 1997-2005 Duane Smith

Time

0.5 hours

Total costs

$27.50

Difficulty

12

3

45678910

Problems

12345678910

 

 

Payoffs

1234

5

678910

Materials & parts

4.5 Liters Motul brake fluid- $27.50

Carb cleaner spray- on hand

Tools

8mm wrench

Phillips head screwdriver

Small flat head screwdriver

Baster

Rags

Q-tips

Drip pan