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DOT 5 fluid for your clutch???

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Old 08-19-2007, 10:18 AM
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Default DOT 5 fluid for your clutch???

i know that DOT 5 fluids are, due to thier silicone base, inherently compressilbe (even if mildly). knowing that, would it be okay to use as clutch fluid?? the only reason i ask is because it has a higher boiling point than the DOT 4 that GM recommends so maybe i wouldnt have the flush my cluth hydraulics so often.
Old 08-19-2007, 10:45 AM
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All depends on if it is compatible with the seals in your clutch system. Last thing you would want is to have that fluid destroy all the seals in the hydraulic system..
Old 08-19-2007, 11:11 AM
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i doubt it, i have the mcleod master cylinder and the instructions
said not to use DOT5 in the system.
Old 08-19-2007, 11:50 AM
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I would just use Valvoline SynPower Synthetic DOT 3/4 brake fluid in the clutch system. Its compatible with both DOT 3 and DOT 4, and its synthetic so its less resistant to heat and breakdown, so it should last much longer than conventional fluid.
Old 08-19-2007, 12:53 PM
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DOT 5 = no no. You could use DOT 5.1 though, which is compatible with DOT 3/4 fluids.

Personally, I use Castrol SRF. High dry boiling point, really high wet boiling point. Not sure if it will eat seals or not, but someone has to try it and find out...
Old 08-19-2007, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by MeentSS02
DOT 5 = no no. You could use DOT 5.1 though, which is compatible with DOT 3/4 fluids.
x2 dot 5.1 is ok but i think it is too exspensive, i just use dot 4 and bleed the system more often, like every oil change or more if needed.
Old 08-19-2007, 03:34 PM
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I have been using Valvoline Synpower for yrs with great results.
Old 08-19-2007, 04:47 PM
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Doesn't GM Make "clutch fluid"? I have heard it is expensive though.
Old 08-19-2007, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by MeentSS02
DOT 5 = no no. You could use DOT 5.1 though, which is compatible with DOT 3/4 fluids.

Personally, I use Castrol SRF. High dry boiling point, really high wet boiling point. Not sure if it will eat seals or not, but someone has to try it and find out...
exactly right you need to be sure its compatible with dot 3. There are even some dot 4's that are not compatible, those are usually racing fluid that is very high price. Stick only with fluids that are compatible with dot 3.
Old 08-20-2007, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by MeentSS02
Personally, I use Castrol SRF. High dry boiling point, really high wet boiling point. Not sure if it will eat seals or not, but someone has to try it and find out...
IF I were a rich man...this is what I would use (in the brakes as well)!
Old 08-20-2007, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by dailydriver
IF I were a rich man...this is what I would use (in the brakes as well)!
My brakes still have ATE Super Blue, but it'll be getting the SRF treatment once I get around to deleting my ABS My clutch likes it so far...
Old 08-21-2007, 08:55 AM
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Originally Posted by PureWS6
Doesn't GM Make "clutch fluid"? I have heard it is expensive though.
88958860 GM Brake and Clutch Fluid; Super DOT-4

Its less than $8 a can from the dealer.
Old 08-21-2007, 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Michael02hawk
88958860 GM Brake and Clutch Fluid; Super DOT-4

Its less than $8 a can from the dealer.
Is there a reason why more people don't use this?
Old 08-21-2007, 11:02 AM
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is there a dot3/4 with a really high boiling point since we seem to have issues with fluid boiling in the lines
Old 08-21-2007, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by xBROKEx
is there a dot3/4 with a really high boiling point since we seem to have issues with fluid boiling in the lines
It doesnt really boil in the lines, it boils in the slave, its the closer to the heat source.
Old 08-21-2007, 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by PureWS6
Is there a reason why more people don't use this?
Shear ignorance I suppose...it has only been recently that I discovered that GM is now using higher boiling point brake fluids in their clutch hydraulics.
Old 08-21-2007, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by PureWS6
Is there a reason why more people don't use this?
Its generally easier to get brake fluid from the parts store than the dealer. There are alot more parts stores closer than dealers.

Does anyone know what the boiling point is of the gm brake fluid?
Old 08-21-2007, 10:17 PM
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Originally Posted by shoemike
i doubt it, i have the mcleod master cylinder and the instructions
said not to use DOT5 in the system.

Werd. I just got a mcleod street twiin and the master cylinder. The instructions say clearly do not use the 5. It says the 3 has more lubricity.
Old 08-22-2007, 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by xBROKEx
is there a dot3/4 with a really high boiling point since we seem to have issues with fluid boiling in the lines
The Valvoline SynPower DOT 3/4 Synthetic that I mentioned before. Synthetics tend to have higher boiling/burn off points than conventional fluids, and its compatible with both DOT 3 and DOT 4, so you can use it regardless of what fluid you have in there now.



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