Which brake fluid in clutch best?

[Sotarts]

Which brake fluid would be best for clutch?
Anyone have tried different ones, which one works better in your experience?
DOT3 is standard, could I use DOT4 w/out problems?
I never really see anyone talking about this. Can someone shed some light?

 

[steve]

You don't see anybody talking about it because it doesn't really matter beyond using what the manufacture specs. In our case that's DOT3 for 1G's or DOT3/DOT4 for 2G's brake fluid.
It's an important subject when your talking about the brakes because the the heat generated and how well the brake fluid deals with that heat but the clutch doesn't see the same and so all that's required is something compatible with the seals and doesn't compress when you push on the clutch pedal.

It is a good idea to change it every couple of years but that's to get rid of any water the fluid has soaked up.

Steve

 

[Sotarts]

The oil is pretty dark and reeks like hell. I'm planing replacing the line with braided SS, so I want to know opinions.

Thinking actually of using Valvoline synthetic - "outperforms/exceeds DOT3/DOT4 specs".

There is some other kind, not synthetic, not regular... I forgot the name of the stuff.

Can I use DOT4 in place of DOT3? How would the clutch react to that? Good, bad?

 

[steve]

I use the Valvoline SynPower Bakes Fluid in both the brakes and clutch on my 1G, it works fine, it's cheap, widely available and has one of the highest boiling points.

Make sure you check the firewall inside the car for any signs that the clutch master cylindar is leaking and replace/rebuild both the master and slave if you see any signs that either are leaking. It will save you doing it again when the other dies.

Steve

 

[Sotarts]

Excellent.

 

[Defiant]

I would only go to synthetic if you're changing over the whole car. Dad used some of my motorcycle synthetic to top up the clutch of his pickup. They don't get along.

I'd not bother going to synthetic on the street. It's one thing on a motorcycle where the amounts are so small, and you're protecting the tank paint, but otherwise, nah.

A properly-bled hydraulic system doesn't care what's in it. Water works fine until it gets hot, or rots and rusts the system. Particularly in the clutch where heat's not a threat, DOT 3 is plenty.