Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 10:19:41 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: Brake Fluid Dot 3 & 4?
In-Reply-To: <40869236.6080207@bellsouth.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
John,
Chill!
DOT-3 and DOT-4 are compatible. Putting in DOT-3 is not a disaster. It
just has a lower boiling point. It will not harm the system. DOT-4 is
better, especially in a Westy, as it is more likely to be driven down
mountain roads at full weight.
Yeah, when filling mine, I make a point to use DOT-4, but if I need
fluid and all that's available is DOT-3, I use it and figure I'll drain
the system in a few months anyway.
BTW, my cap doesn't say anything in Englische.
Karl Wolz
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of
> John Rodgers
> Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 8:25 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Brake Fluid Dot 3 & 4?
>
> Sorry, having DOT 3 put in your van is a BAD!BAD!BAD! by the
mechanic.
> Can he not read??
>
> Right on the fill cap it says DOT 4 only!!!!
>
> I would suggest the system be drained and refilled, and the brakes
bled,
> then the tank again refilled. It if hasn't been done all the way
around
> on every wheel in a long time, it needs doing anyway. I did mine
after
> several years and there was more dirt, water and crap in the fluid
than
> I really like to talk about. My BAD for not taking better care of my
> machine. Correcting this DOT 3 mistake is a good time to take care of
> the entire system.
>
> Since the brake fluid tank also serves as the clutch fluid tank,
there
> may be clutch cylinder issues involved also as the result of putting
in
> the wrong brake fluid. I don't know that there are, but it's possible
> that if you so some more research you may find it so. And if you are
> replacing any brake or clutch system parts, you certainly want to get
> this right.
>
> If you have a receipt that shows that the DOT 3 was put in, the you
can
> hold their feet to the fire to get it corrected at their expense,
> materials and labor.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Bill H. wrote:
>
> >Was having a mechanic take a look at my brake master cylinder/clutch
master
> >cylinder area for a leak I'm having (couldn't find it myself). He
found a
> >slow leak in the clutch master, topped of the system with Dot 3 and
bleed out
> >the lines to keep me going until the new part shows up. My question
is with
> >the brake/clutch fluid. I think the system may have had Dot 4 in the
lines
> >and although the books say Dot 3 or 4 would be ok, it doesn't say
anything
> >about mixing them. Would adding Dot 3 on top of what may be Dot4 be
a
> >problem? Thanks in advance.
> >
> >Bill H.
> >88 Silver GL
> >Pittsburgh
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >__________________________________
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> >
> >
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