Silicone Brake Fluid

Mark Sellick · Post by **Mark Sellick** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 5:24 am

Hi All,

wrt the thread on silicone brake fluid, when my Dad (sadly no longer with us) changed TC1459's brakes over about eight years ago, he had to have the master cylinder piston machined down by 50thou, due to the brakes binding on problem. No problems since, and no brake seizing during periods of inactivity. At the time, we heard that the binding problem could be caused by using a system that originally had glycol fluid without fitting new seals.

More recently, I changed my '72 BGT over to silicone. Also fitted all new lines, hoses, master cylinder, calipers etc, and no binding. But I do have a problem in that the brake light switch seems to fail, so that over a period of time (about 15 months) I need to hit the brakes harder for the lights to come on. Any ideas on why? Perhaps I should just fit a mechanical switch a la TC!!!

Regards,

Mark

TC1459

Frank O_ The Mountain · Post by **Frank O_ The Mountain** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 6:22 am

In a message dated 12/13/01 05:25:26 Pacific Standard Time, mark_sellick@mrifast.net writes: >>

Ray · Post by **Ray** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 6:53 am

>

so

> that over a period of time (about 15 months>

This is a problem I have had in changing over some of my cars as well. I think it has to do with switch design/construction, since once a new switch is installed, the problem never re-occurs. Some cars, such as the Jags, never seem to have the problem. And by the bye, I found out why anti-lock systems many times are not silicone friendly- it is because of the cyclic rate of the sensing system. Since the silicone is just the smallest amount more viscous, the anti-skid is interfered with to the extent that some problems develop. 'Course, we don't have anti-lock on these cars.........at least not the auto type.... Best, Ray

Skip Kelsey · Post by **Skip Kelsey** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 8:05 am

At 01:23 PM 12/13/01 +0000, Mark Sellick wrote:

>I need to hit the brakes harder for the lights to come on. Any ideas on >why? Perhaps I should just fit a mechanical switch a la TC!!!

Mark: The switch on your MGB is mechanical in nature. It is not affected by what fluid you have. More than likely, your problem is inferior switch. There are some on the market, I think made by Intermotor, that are not good quality. I had the same problem on my 69 GT, and went thru several switches until I installed a Lucas switch. Have not had a problem for the past five years. Skip Kelsey.........................................................

DougPulver@aol.com · Post by **DougPulver@aol.com** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 6:29 pm

In a message dated 12/13/2001 8:06:24 AM Pacific Standard Time, kelsey@shadetreemotors.com writes:

until I installed a Lucas switch. Have not had a problem for the past five years.

Skip, Go figure that a Lucas item would actually solve a problem. Doug

Peter Roberts · Post by **Peter Roberts** » Mon Apr 07, 2003 7:29 am

Leaves FWIW, I note that several listers are using silicone and have not flushed their system for several years. Follows a portion of my reply to Jack Emdall that may be instructive: <> It's great stuff, but it's not foolproof. _Peter TC0604 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Michael DeRentz · Post by **Michael DeRentz** » Tue Apr 08, 2003 4:27 pm

Jack, Sorry to jump in so late. Put me down for another pro silicone vote. 16 years and no problems. The only system in the car that doesn't leak! Sincerely, Michael DeRentz [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Jim and Shirley Mink · Post by **Jim and Shirley Mink** » Mon Aug 18, 2003 7:31 am

In a former life I was involved with the preperation of military vehicles for long term storage. One of the first things we did was to purge the brakes and replace the DOT 3 fluid with silicone fluid. Some of these vehicles then sat for periods of up to five years under all manner of adverse conditions. There was never any problem with the brakes! To the best of my knowledge, the British Ministry of Defense follows essentially the same procedure. Jim, TC 8970 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

BUD SILVERS · Post by **BUD SILVERS** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:58 pm

Hello all;

Why not simply weld a small fitting (similar to the oil pressure line size) to the reservoir and run a line up under the instrument panel where there would be little moisture. The system would still be vented, but the opening would be in a relatively dry place. One could even run the fitting into a can with a large diameter (volume) diaphragm and make it a sealed system.

I have owned cars (many antiques) with hydraulic brakes for almost 50 years and have rarely had brake fluid related problems. I use regular fluid. I don’t anticipate any problems since my car will be driven regularly year round. Yes, I live in Colorado and No I will not have a heater.

Bud Silvers

TC 1576 – Low n slo in the Black Forest of Colorado……

Clive Sherriff · Post by **Clive Sherriff** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 5:05 pm

Exactly what I suggested in my previous posting. Clive, Oxford UK ----------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message ----- [b]From:[/b] mgtc@usaviator.net [b]To:[/b] mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [b]Sent:[/b] Tuesday, October 30, 2012 10:58 PM [b]Subject:[/b] [mg-tabc] Silicone brake fluid Hello all;
Why not simply weld a small fitting (similar to the oil pressure line size) to the reservoir and run a line up under the instrument panel where there would be little moisture. The system would still be vented, but the opening would be in a relatively dry place. One could even run the fitting into a can with a large diameter (volume) diaphragm and make it a sealed system.

I have owned cars (many antiques) with hydraulic brakes for almost 50 years and have rarely had brake fluid related problems. I use regular fluid. I don t anticipate any problems since my car will be driven regularly year round. Yes, I live in Colorado and No I will not have a heater.

Bud Silvers
TC 1576 Low n slo in the Black Forest of Colorado

Wilsons Sandbox