I'm probably a lone voice crying in the wilderness here, but I neither like nor trust silicone fluid. Sure it doesn't remove paint for a hobby, but that's the only real advantage. Oh and it's not hygroscopic so fit and forget. IMO, there are some things that shouldn't be fit and forget and I think brake fluid is one of them. Better to check every now and again and if not using silicone, change it every couple of years or so. It gives you an excuse to thoroughly check your braking system!
As Alun has said, unless you have a perfectly clean (ie NEW) entire hydraulic system you can run into problems. Get a leak and don't have any in the car to top up? Hard luck, garages don't sell it! And putting ordinary in as an emergency measure is not on, see 1st comment! I also know people who've had problems with silicone fluid boiling at an unconscionably low temperature. Other cars seem fine, so it may have been a duff or counterfeit batch. But it makes me think.
As you all know, I take my brakes very seriously, the way I drive, I HAVE to! So my cars all get DOT 5.1, high boiling point, synthetic race fluid. It's not that much more expensive than DOT 4, which is the modern "standard" issue either. But I don't regard it as necessary on a strictly road car, for one of those, DOT 4 is perfectly adequate, available anywhere and anyones product will mix in OK. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
My 2 pennorth, Steve
_________________ '73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!
Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.
|