REFLECTOR: Brake Fluid Type problem/ Thanks.

[Kevin Baker]

Hi,
I wanted to thank everyone for their help.
Here is what I found.

1) I called Matco - said hard to tell but signs would be brakes starting 
to leak or brake starting to 'drag'.
2) Basted the fluid out of the reservoir and kept it in a tub.
     - discovered that the fluids don't mix and settle out like (oil and 
water).
     - Also found that the DOT 5 is heavier and sinks, DOT 3 "floats"
3) Ordered a bleeding kit that will allow me to "push" from the bottom 
brake up to the reservoir allowing any possible dot3 in the upper line 
to be pushed back into the reservoir and basted out.
( or that's the plan).

Thanks everyone,
Kevin Baker


On 11/3/2011 9:49 AM, Alex Balic wrote:
> Hey Kevin-
> Since only the fluid in the reservoir is contaminated with  DOT3- you can
> remove it with a Turkey baster, and replace with DOT5- since the seals in
> the master are OK with 3 anyway, they will be fine in either case.
>
> Alex
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of Kevin Baker
> Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 9:24 PM
> To: reflector at tvbf.org
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Brake Fluid Type problem/help?
>
> Hi All,
> Quick question for those much smarter than I.
>
> I have the old brake master cylinders with Matco brakes. (installed and
> flying)
>
> I noticed one of the fluid levels was a little low and had asked what
> type fluid to fill it up with. They said "DOT 3".
> So I added from almost the low line on the cylinder to the almost full
> line with DOT3 a couple of weeks ago.
>
> NOW.. I read in the manual it says the Matcos are not compatible with
> DOT3 and only use DOT5.
>
> SO.. here is my question... what do I do.
> It seems I've mixed fluids ? and incompatible with matcos brakes
>
> Do I drain and refill the whole system? or ?
>
> Ideas ?? suggestions?? comments??
>
> Thanks,
> Kevin Baker
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