Clutch fluid

[skywords]

Dot 3 as I recall?

 

[hartmandm]

The stock setup was the clutch hydraulic fluid was the same as the brakes - DOT 4. Don't mix fluid types.

Mike

 

[Bill Blue]

Looks like the "proper" fluid varied. The Series 3 owners manual I have states DOT3.

Bill

 

[hartmandm]

Thanks Bill. I shouldn't answer questions without knowing the series in question.

Mike

 

[skywords]

Thanks all I will go with dot 3. The car is a series I. When I disassembled the slave the cup was melted like jello so I want to be sure to use the correct stuff. Again thanks.

 

[65beam]

DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids are compatable. they both are blended using a glycol ether base but DOT 4 has a borate ester added to handle higher temps found in todays braking systems. DOT 3 was the norm for when these cars were built but as things evolved it could no longer handle the temps. a DOT 4 won't hurt the rubber and should be used in place of the DOT 3 fluid. never mix DOT 3 with a DOT 4 in a modern vehicle or you may lose full braking action. todays high braking temps will degrade the DOT 3 and it could boil and cause air bubbles in the system. don't mix silicone with these fluids or you have complete chaos. in other words there is no reason to use and old spec DOT 3 fluid when you can use a current spec fluid. that goes for the clutch system also.

 

[DanR]

Mike, I too speak sometimes without realizing the Series matter. I appreciate your feed to the forum and the PIC's of your very nice Alpine.

Many many many years ago I read that Dot 4 was a replacement for the Dot 3.

So, what to do with the old Instructions? I guess we should make a pen&ink change and go from there. Mr Bill and I are from the older times and we have a hard time (sometimes) get'n up to par

However, Mr Bill is way ahead of me with his fast or I should say quick bomb. Check the 20-80 readings for a starter.

65beam has the expertise in the field with petro & such from what I've read from past post. I learned a bit on the DOT 5 also.