[DML] Re: stiff clutch???

["David Teitelbaum" <jtrealty@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are a couple of reasons DOT 5 is not the best choice. First of
all it is impossible to remove all of the air entrapped in the fluid
so it is slightly compressable. On many systems it is no big deal but
on the Delorean clutch that little bit of lost travel can make a
difference. That is why we have so much trouble with the plastic brake
line. That small amount of expansion makes a difference. The other
main reason is that water will not mix with it. That may sound like a
good thing but here's the problem, when water won't mix it goes to the
bottom of wherever it is and won't come out when you bleed because the
bleeder is on the top like most calipers. That water bubble just sits
there and eventually corrodes that soft cast iron. Water is
everywhere, especially in the air so you can't get away from it. When
it gets into a closed system it just collects and eventually corrodes
whatever metal it comes in cantact with. In the antique world of cars
DOT 5 was thought to be the ideal brake fluid, it can't damage the
paint or corrode the brakes. After several years it became evident
that it is NOT perfect. On many of the older cars they also did not
have enough brake travel to compensate for the compressability of the
fluid. Makes you have to pump the brakes twice to stop. In an
emergency that can really get your heart going!!!! Dot 5 is good for
trucks and race cars, not street cars or antiques. It's main claim to
fame is it's much higher boiling point, not so important to Delorean
owners. My advice, stick with the Castrol GTLMA Dot 4 and change it
every other year. BTW most shops that work on British cars recomend
Castrol, it seems to last better and be easier on the rubber that is
used by foreign (British) cars. Over in the world of Lotus they
recomend changing the brake and clutch fluid EVERY year! Another minor
point, Castrol is less expensive than DOT 5.
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757



--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "John Hervey" <john@...> wrote:
>
> David, 
> Would you agree that all the parts being metal would not be hurt by
Dot5.
> Would you agree that Teflon SS hose would also not the affected by
Dot 5.
> And would you agree that since I build brand new seals that aren't
affected
> by Silicone Dot 5 fluid, then my question is why have you been
saying for
> years, don't use DOT 5. What in your book is going to be hurt by
using DOT.
> John Hervey
> www.specialtauto.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of
> David Teitelbaum
> Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 11:14 AM
> To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [DML] Re: stiff clutch???
> 
> The type of brake fluid will have no effect on the "stiffness" of the
> clutch. As far as a hydraulic system is concerned as long as the fluid
> is not compressable (and all of the air is removed so it is a true
> hydraulic and not pneumatic system) you could have water in there. I
> do not recommend water because it's boiling point is too low and it
> will corrode the metal parts. I also do not recommed silicone (DOT 5).
> Use Castrol GTLMA DOT 4 and change it every other year. Same for the
> brakes.
> David Teitelbaum
> vin 10757
> 
> [moderator snip]
>




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