[E-Type] Brake fluid

E-Type
1

why does the brake fluid ever need replacing? what happens to it and how
do we know when it happens?

Ken
71 OTS----------

From: JMIKOL@aol.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Sunday, September 17, 2000 6:31 PM

My brake & clutch fluid is now exactly 2 years old and I’m wondering if I

should replace it now or in the spring, as I don’t know how old it has to
be
in order to cause problems. The car will be sitting all winter although
I’ll
exercise it when the weather’s OK & the roads are clear of salt. Any
opinions
will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim 67 ots

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2

Which fluid do you use Lloyd?
Ken----------

From: LLoyd G Nolan soothsayer@redshift.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Sunday, September 17, 2000 8:13 PM

I once let my daily drive go eleven years, and it was OK. But I think
we can say that was an exception rather than the rule. I do mine around
3 - 4 years now…but always immediately when I get a new car.
LLoyd

JMIKOL@aol.com wrote:

My brake & clutch fluid is now exactly 2 years old and I’m wondering if
I

should replace it now or in the spring, as I don’t know how old it has
to be

in order to cause problems. The car will be sitting all winter although
I’ll

exercise it when the weather’s OK & the roads are clear of salt. Any
opinions

will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim 67 ots

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3

Is the ATE fluid the same as the Castrol that many seem to promote? I am
not familar with it.Is it a Brand name, DOT?
Ken
71 OTS, S2----------

From: EJag69@aol.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Monday, September 18, 2000 7:21 AM

In a message dated 9/18/00 8:10:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
jagster@ukonline.co.uk writes:

<< The absorbed water lowers the boiling point. you reach the point where
you
have so much water that it boils when you use the brakes long and hard,
then
you have no brakes.

how do we know when it happens? >>

…generally pedal depressed and nothing happens…will probably go lower
to
the floor. Not to be confused with brake fade which is generally
associated
with brake pads or gas buildup between the pads and rotors which is
typlified
by a “spongy” pedal.

We use ATE fluids as they have a gold and blue in the same specs. Makes
it
easy to see when the fluid is fully replaced but is a bit pricey.

Bob Hotaling
69 OTS

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4

LLoyd,
Did you see the message from al here on the list?
Ken----------

From: LLoyd G Nolan soothsayer@redshift.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Monday, September 18, 2000 10:41 AM

I’ve stuck with dot-4 on PrtyKty.
LLoyd

ken thompson wrote:

Which fluid do you use Lloyd?
Ken

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5

I will try to get into Sept. with this computer. It will not hold date and
I forget to check it, and then I have to relearn how to change it.

Thanks for the info on fluids.

Ken----------

From: Alistair Bell BadAl@veriomail.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Tuesday, September 19, 2000 8:33 AM

Ken,
FYI, your computer thinks its August.

DOT 4 is a (USA) Department of Transportation standard. Castrol GT LMA
meets both
DOT 3 and 4. I believe Silicone is DOT 5. Most fluids I have seen meet
DOT 3 and
usually 4.

I have an old Special Interest catalog that states " The only brake fluid
fully
tested, approved and recommended by Lucas Girling Limited".

I like it because it is readily available and cheap. A phrase not usually
heard
in conjunction with Jaguar.:slight_smile:

Al
(formerly readily available, still cheap)

ken thompson wrote:

LLoyd,
Did you see the message from al here on the list?
Ken

I’ve stuck with dot-4 on PrtyKty.
LLoyd

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6

My brake & clutch fluid is now exactly 2 years old and I’m wondering if I
should replace it now or in the spring, as I don’t know how old it has to be
in order to cause problems. The car will be sitting all winter although I’ll
exercise it when the weather’s OK & the roads are clear of salt. Any opinions
will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim 67 ots

To subscribe / unsubscribe, go to http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomo

7

I once let my daily drive go eleven years, and it was OK. But I think
we can say that was an exception rather than the rule. I do mine around
3 - 4 years now…but always immediately when I get a new car.
LLoyd

JMIKOL@aol.com wrote:

My brake & clutch fluid is now exactly 2 years old and I’m wondering if I
should replace it now or in the spring, as I don’t know how old it has to be
in order to cause problems. The car will be sitting all winter although I’ll
exercise it when the weather’s OK & the roads are clear of salt. Any opinions
will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim 67 ots

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8

why does the brake fluid ever need replacing?

unless you use silicon fluid the brake fluid will absorb water

what happens to it and >

The absorbed water lowers the boiling point. you reach the point where you
have so much water that it boils when you use the brakes long and hard, then
you have no brakes.

how do we know when it happens?

You hit a wall or whatever else you were braking to avoid, if lucky you get
to buy another car, if unlucky all your worries are permanently at an end.

Steve

To subscribe / unsubscribe, go to http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomo----- Original Message -----
From: “ken thompson” kthompson@totalaccess.net
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid

9

In a message dated 9/18/00 8:10:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
jagster@ukonline.co.uk writes:

<< The absorbed water lowers the boiling point. you reach the point where you
have so much water that it boils when you use the brakes long and hard, then
you have no brakes.

how do we know when it happens? >>

…generally pedal depressed and nothing happens…will probably go lower to
the floor. Not to be confused with brake fade which is generally associated
with brake pads or gas buildup between the pads and rotors which is typlified
by a “spongy” pedal.

We use ATE fluids as they have a gold and blue in the same specs. Makes it
easy to see when the fluid is fully replaced but is a bit pricey.

Bob Hotaling
69 OTS

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10

I’ve stuck with dot-4 on PrtyKty.
LLoyd

ken thompson wrote:

Which fluid do you use Lloyd?
Ken

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11

Ken,
FYI, your computer thinks its August.

DOT 4 is a (USA) Department of Transportation standard. Castrol GT LMA meets both
DOT 3 and 4. I believe Silicone is DOT 5. Most fluids I have seen meet DOT 3 and
usually 4.

I have an old Special Interest catalog that states " The only brake fluid fully
tested, approved and recommended by Lucas Girling Limited".

I like it because it is readily available and cheap. A phrase not usually heard
in conjunction with Jaguar.:slight_smile:

Al
(formerly readily available, still cheap)

ken thompson wrote:

LLoyd,
Did you see the message from al here on the list?
Ken

I’ve stuck with dot-4 on PrtyKty.
LLoyd

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12

ATE is a German brand, Porsche recommends it, for example.
DOT is Department of Transportation, and
ATE fluids are DOT rated.

Jerry Mouton mailto:@mouton Laissez les bons temps
rouler!----- Original Message -----
From: “ken thompson” kthompson@totalaccess.net
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 3:22 AM
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid

Is the ATE fluid the same as the Castrol that many seem to promote? I am
not familar with it.Is it a Brand name, DOT?
Ken
71 OTS, S2

From: EJag69@aol.com
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Subject: Re: [E-Type] Brake fluid
Date: Monday, September 18, 2000 7:21 AM

In a message dated 9/18/00 8:10:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
jagster@ukonline.co.uk writes:

<< The absorbed water lowers the boiling point. you reach the point
where
you

have so much water that it boils when you use the brakes long and hard,
then
you have no brakes.

how do we know when it happens? >>

…generally pedal depressed and nothing happens…will probably go
lower
to

the floor. Not to be confused with brake fade which is generally
associated
with brake pads or gas buildup between the pads and rotors which is
typlified
by a “spongy” pedal.

We use ATE fluids as they have a gold and blue in the same specs. Makes
it
easy to see when the fluid is fully replaced but is a bit pricey.

Bob Hotaling
69 OTS

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http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomo

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http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomo

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13

DOT 4 is a (USA) Department of Transportation standard. Castrol GT LMA
meets both
DOT 3 and 4.

Yes, it does, but it’s redundant and confusing to say so. (I’m not ragging
you, it says it like that on the container.) It automatically exceeds the
DOT 3 standards if it’s DOT 4.

I believe Silicone is DOT 5.

Yes, and in most manufacturers it is purple.

Most fluids I have seen meet DOT 3 and

usually 4.

The trouble with most fluids though is that for some reason, other than
Castrol, Lockheed (British), and Girling, they attack the seals. I have used
Castrol exclusively for twenty years. It’s the ONLY fluid I use in british
cars, and it’s compatible with any other brake system on the planet (Except
Rolls-Royce), so I have used it in any other cars I have owned and serviced.

I have an old Special Interest catalog that states " The only brake fluid
fully
tested, approved and recommended by Lucas Girling Limited".

There has been some changes over the years as it used to be Castrol Girling,
there was Girling Crimson, and Girling didn’t used to be a satellite company
of Lucas either…I’m so confused with these conglomerates…AE,
Vandervell, and Glacier are now all part of the Dana corporation.

I like it because it is readily available and cheap. A phrase not usually
heard
in conjunction with Jaguar.:slight_smile:

Actually, Jaguar has woken up in the last decade. I’m surprised how much OE
stuff I have been buying from the dealer as the prices are so reasonable.
But not everything!

Scary!

Jeb

To subscribe / unsubscribe, go to http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomoFrom: “Alistair Bell”

14

Is the ATE fluid the same as the Castrol that many seem to promote?

Nope! That’s the German brake fluid. While I’m sure it’s a fine fluid, I
don’t mess with the system, I use Castrol.

I am

not familar with it.Is it a Brand name, DOT?

Department Of Transportation, federal, all auto parts must have a DOT rating
to be sold. If you look on the lenses of your lights, you’ll see the
markings. If you look at a grey market car, you can see the difference in
the markings. If you have H4 lights in your car, they generally will not
have a DOT marking.

That’s how the cops get ya when they look at your lights for being too
bright.

Cheers,

Jeb

To subscribe / unsubscribe, go to http://www.jag-lovers.org/cgi-bin/majordomoFrom: “ken thompson”

15

I let the fluid get so bad (dark) and old that the pedal went to the floor -
while braking. Replaced the fluid and bled the system. Now the brakes seem
fine. Am I driving on borrowed time? Was some seal or whatever damaged and
just waiting to fail?
Thanks,
Jerry 67 ots

16

Hi Jerry,

We’re all driving on borrowed time… if the brakes seem fine then enjoy
driving… but keep your wits about you… as you would anyway!

–Harold

Harold Robertson
Redding, California, USA
1968 E-type 2+2 (unrestored driver) 1E78833BW
1971 Volvo 1800e (unrestored driver)
1986 Nissan 300zxt (turbo)
http://home.pacbell.net/p1800guy/> I let the fluid get so bad (dark) and old that the pedal went to the floor -

while braking. Replaced the fluid and bled the system. Now the brakes seem
fine. Am I driving on borrowed time? Was some seal or whatever damaged and
just waiting to fail?
Thanks,
Jerry 67 ots

17

Hmmm.

Jerry, dark brake fluid alone won’t kill the brakes, you
have something else going on there, so be careful.

Jerry

Jerry Mouton “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”----- Original Message -----
From: jerry.dodds@itu.int
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 5:48 AM
Subject: [E-Type] Brake fluid

I let the fluid get so bad (dark) and old that the pedal went to the
floor -
while braking. Replaced the fluid and bled the system. Now the brakes seem
fine. Am I driving on borrowed time? Was some seal or whatever damaged and
just waiting to fail?
Thanks,
Jerry 67 ots

18

Jerry,

I used to have the same in my car. It was scary to see the interior of the calipers when I finally took them of the car. I ended up replacing all four calipers and
am still in the process of sorting out my master and slave cylinders.

Several listers pointed out that they too had a problem with kick-back once the reaction valve activates. I assume this means that somehow fluid is being push from the slave cylinder back to the master cylinder. Now, if those listers just remembered which part was in the wrong way I would be on the right track again. Or it would help if someone could indeed confirm that the problem has to be located in the slave or master cylinder. Any additional hints?

Best regards, Christoph

jerry@moutons.org 08/23/02 20:12 PM >>>
Hmmm.

Jerry, dark brake fluid alone won’t kill the brakes, you
have something else going on there, so be careful.

Jerry

Jerry Mouton “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”----- Original Message -----
From: jerry.dodds@itu.int
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 5:48 AM
Subject: [E-Type] Brake fluid

I let the fluid get so bad (dark) and old that the pedal went to the
floor -
while braking. Replaced the fluid and bled the system. Now the brakes seem
fine. Am I driving on borrowed time? Was some seal or whatever damaged and
just waiting to fail?
Thanks,
Jerry 67 ots

19

In a message dated 8/23/02 3:06:43 PM Central Daylight Time,
owner-e-type@jag-lovers.org writes:

jerry@moutons.org 08/23/02 20:12 PM >>>
Hmmm.

Jerry, dark brake fluid alone won’t kill the brakes, you
have something else going on there, so be careful.

Jerry

Jerry Mouton “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”

Check your vacuum canister, I 'll bet that you are going to find that it has
some fluid in it.

I had the same thing happen on my car after sitting in storage for some time.

The brakes didn’t work, they were bled and did work and then a few weeks
later didn’t work.

Fortunately for me, the car was in the shop when it was discovered that they
weren’t working again, rather than on the highway.

Richard Kuschel
“I canna’ change the Law of Physics” -----------Scotty

20

Is it OK to use Gastrol LMA brake fluid in a E-Type?–
Daves71V12
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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