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Date:         Sun, 17 Sep 2023 12:08:06 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Break job questions
Comments: To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <26414134-771F-49FD-9D75-56F823FC7E51@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

A little reassurance.

A helpful friend offered to assist me with changing my brake fluid. But, when the day came he got very concerned about me using dot 5.1. He wanted me to use dot 3. He read that it was compatible but then read other places that said not to mix them.

He said we would need to bleed clutch, master cylinder, blush system and then refill.

I said, my understanding is we could just bleed the four brakes and fill with dot 5.1 and we would be good to go.

Anyone have an opinion or procedure, or such that I can share with him?

Am I wrong that bleeding the brakes and refill at reservoir is enough to maintain the brakes?

Currently they work fine but last mechanic felt the brake fluid looked overdue for a change. I don’t know that last change time but I suspect it was a long time ago.

Eric Caron

> On Aug 23, 2023, at 12:08 PM, OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET> wrote: > > Valvoline Full Synthetic dot 3&4 is what I use but should/will consider a 5.1,,, > > 5.1 has higher boiling point than 4 but is more Hygroscopic so in dry mountainous > > area like here in NM, a 5.1 is probably best,, If in humid, flatish area I’d use a 4 ~ > > ORR~DeanB > > >> On 22 Aug , 2023, at 7:06 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET> wrote: >> >> Anyone have a preference of brand of synthetic 5.1 brake fluid? >> >> Eric Caron >> >> >>> On Aug 21, 2023, at 9:50 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote: >>> >>> Yes, >>> >>> Great tip. I would haven. >>> >>> Thanks, and keep them coming. >>> >>> Eric >>> >>> >>>> On Aug 21, 2023, at 5:22 PM, Rob <vwrobb@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>> I'd start putting pen oil on the bleeders well in advance of the job & do it regularly, you really don't want to break a bleeder valve. >>>> >>>> Rob >>>> vwrobb@gmail.com <mailto:vwrobb@gmail.com> >>>> On Mon, Aug 21, 2023, 1:31 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote: >>>>> Hi folks, >>>>> >>>>> I need to change the break fluid in my 84. I’m told it is looking unhealthy though the breaks are working well. >>>>> >>>>> I would like to change this fall but need to have everything needed so that when a friend shows up to help and walk me through the process I’ll have all needed materials. >>>>> >>>>> My notes from Dennis recommends using synthetic dot 5.1. >>>>> >>>>> How much do I need to have on hand to be sure to have enough? >>>>> >>>>> Any other supplies needed for this job? >>>>> Friend will have done this in the past and is old school so I’m expecting to pump peddle while he starts bleeding from passenger rear and working back from there to driver rear. Passenger front and then driver front. >>>>> >>>>> All tips wanted >>>>> >>>>> And again how much new fluid for the change is needed? >>>>> >>>>> Any special tips for safe adding to reservoir? >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> >>>>> Eric Caron >>>>> 84 Westfalia


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