Best clutch fluid?

[aquariuscsm]

Something I`ve been meaning to do for awhile now is to flush my clutch system. The fluid in the master cylinder is looking rather dark. It`s filled with dino brake fluid. Would a good parts store synth,say,Valvoline Synpower brake fluid be a good choice? Also,as noobish as this may sound,are all brake fluids compatable? O`Reilly house brand is what`s in it now.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Something I`ve been meaning to do for awhile now is to flush my clutch system. The fluid in the master cylinder is looking rather dark. It`s filled with dino brake fluid. Would a good parts store synth,say,Valvoline Synpower brake fluid be a good choice? Also,as noobish as this may sound,are all brake fluids compatable? O`Reilly house brand is what`s in it now.



I have this same question. The clutch fluid in my 00' Saturn SL looks to be the original fluid in there and it's time for an evacuation of that [censored] pronto. The DOT 3, 4, 5 etc. confuse me as to their usage. Maybe someone can help clear up the air on this.

 

[FrozenPilot]

As far as I know, as long as you're topping off with the same DOT spec, you're in the clear, synthetic or not. I haven't heard of any benefits of using a different spec or type, unlike running a higher DOT spec in the brake system to avoid boiling.

Interesting note: my Mazda uses a common reservoir for the brakes and clutch.

 

[Bulli]

you cant use dot 5 i heard few cars can only use it. i dont remember

 

[dailydriver]

IF you have a high power/torque application, with a clutch that produces A LOT of heat (and can handle the power), then you might want to consider one of the higher temp brake fluids.
Also, IF your clutch lines run extremely close to the exhaust headers/manifolds/cats, etc. (like MY car) you would want to use the better stuff (unless you are flushing/changing the lower 'off the shelf' DOT 3/4s VERY often).
I personally will not use anything less than a Motul RBF 600 spec-like fluid, no matter how often it is bled/changed!

 

[Buffman]

I use the Valvoline Synpower Brake Fluid in my clutch on the ranger. Good stuff IMO

 

[zrxkawboy]

No such thing as "dino" brake fluid - it's all synthetic.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Looks like I may swing by Autozone after work tomorrow and grab a bottle of Valvoline Synpower.

 

[wannafbody]

I've used the Valvoline Synpower as well. Great OTC product. You could also try the new Amsoil.

 

[mechtech2]

If the classification on the bottle is the same, it will mix and work perfectly.
I have not seen a difference between expensive and cheap brake fluids.
Suck that reservoir out and clean it as best that you can. Then fill it and bleed your brakes/clutch.

 

[wannafbody]

The Valvoline Synthetic Dot 4 will mix with Dot 3 and it has a higher boiling point. Do not mix Dot 5 with either Dot 3 or 4.

 

[unDummy]

Do not mix or even USE Dot5 where 3/4 or needed.

Any DOT3/4 fluid is good enough. Castrol GTLMA, Synpower, along with any name brand DOT3/4 fluid, work well enough for regular bleeds. I prefer the DOT4 fluids.

 

[Alternator]

I wouldn't recommend a DOT4 substitution in a DOT3 app to anyone not doing regular (i.e. anal-rententive amounts) brake preventative maintenance (frequent flush-fills). Despite the higher boiling point early in service, it tends to drop off faster if/when it does ever begin to absorb water.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Alternator
I wouldn't recommend a DOT4 substitution in a DOT3 app to anyone not doing regular (i.e. anal-rententive amounts) brake preventative maintenance (frequent flush-fills). Despite the higher boiling point early in service, it tends to drop off faster if/when it does ever begin to absorb water.


This is one of the reasons (besides low cost) the Motorcraft Heavy Duty stuff was/is(?) popular with the high performance crowd. It was the highest rated (as far as wet/dry boiling points go) DOT 3 fluid on the market.
I believe it even beat out the Performance Friction 'Z Rated' DOT 3 fluid??

 

[ConstantinoTobio]

DoT-3/4 is a glycol-based fluid, and DoT-5 is a silicone-based fluid. They are incompatable, as they will mix like oil and vinegar.

I've done DoT-5 conversions before, but I would only recommend it in a vehicle that does not have ABS as ABS BPMVs may not get adequately lubricated by DoT-5. It's a great fluid for cars that go into hibernation a lot, like my '73 VW, as it is not hygroscopic. Very few vehicles come with it OEM- there are a number of motorcycles that use it, however,

For DoT-3/4, I like Valvoline Synpower or Castrol LMA.

 

[artificialist]

I have dealt with plenty of DOT4 brake fluids that outlast DOT3.

For some reason, GM factory brake fluid turns bad in little time, yet Valvoline DOT 4 doesn't when installed in the same vehicle.