ashbuster Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 brake fluid is running low, i take it i carnt just top it up because of me not knowing what brake fluid is in there? so would it need draining and refilling with new? or is it ok to mix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Generally OK to mix dot 4 and 5.1. I'm guessing it would be either or in there. If it's not been flushed out in a while though it might be an idea to replace it all anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heckler Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 pretty much dot 5.1 will mix with anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 nice one guys i dont have any history with the car so i mite aswell drain, this is my first auto car and i take it its the same as doing a manual Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 When you say 'drain' you mean flush/bleed through yes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) yes mate , can i just let it flow through a nipple and keep it topped up untill 1.5litres have passed through then turn the bleed nipple to close, or do i have to drain and refill and bleed Edited November 14, 2011 by ashbuster (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Yes to keeping the reservoir topped up no to draining. There is an order to do each caliper and you won't need 1.5L to do one but will need around that for them all. There is usually enough colouration in the old stuff to see when the new fluid is flushing through. So bleed each caliper in the correct order and you will end up with new fluid throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 nice one mate if i buy dot 5.1 and start bleeding through, it wont turn the old stuff all funny? i thought if it was mixed with a certain type fluid (forgot which 1) that it didnt go well and went all manky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 are poly glycol based and can be mixed DOT 5 is Silcon based and shouldn't be mixed with the above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 if i buy 4 or 5.1 and it has dot 5 in then when i flush it through it has a chance of going all funny ? so would it have to be bled dry and fresh stuff put through ? or should i just put some in a cup from my system and then put a little 5.1 in there to see what happens to be on the safe side and how long would it take for it to go funny if it was mixed in the cup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 It's HIGHLY unlikely to have DOT 5 in it, but try mixing a bit outside of the reservoir if you are the unlucky type Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 (edited) yeah lol just to make sure , should it go funny quickly mate? or does it take a few hours and thanks for the replies guys Edited November 14, 2011 by ashbuster (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Within an hour. If you taste both fresh DOT5.1 and the old fluid, if they taste similar it is NOT DOT5 in the reservoir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 Don't fancy a cup of tea at your place much chris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 lol i was thinking that nice one mate, ill find someone to try it lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 14, 2011 Share Posted November 14, 2011 I found this whilst searching for what happens when dot 5 is mixed with the other brake fluids. Apparently it sits on top of dot 3,4 or 5.1 and is also a differant colour, it also buggers up seals according to the write up i read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashbuster Posted November 14, 2011 Author Share Posted November 14, 2011 nice one mate thats for that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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