10 replies to this topic

[taffy1967]

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I was going to bleed the brakes and clutch on my Mini this weekend. Then after visiting and phoning a few local Motor Factors I learned that the only brake fluid that they stocked was Synthetic based and that was for the DOT 4 that I've always used too!

I've been told different stories by them, from that it doesn't matter, or it's okay to use as clutch fluid to one who claimed I should be using DOT 3 instead!

But I've always used DOT 4 and that's what my owners manual and Haynes manual recommends. One local Mini Specialist stated that it should be okay so long as I flush all the old "Mineral" based brake fluid out first and basically don't mix the two. Trouble is he only stocked the same type stuff as everyone else and that's the "CARLUBE" synthetic based stuff.

I had a look around and I think I found the answer I was after via the Mini Spares site: -

Lockheed 250ml Brake Fluid link
Lockheed 500ml Brake Fluid link
Lockheed 1 litre Brake Fluid link

So from the claims and those prices I guess that's really what I want for my Mini then?

And if anyone has any tips on how to effectively bleed both the brakes and clutch on a 1990 Mini Cooper with a standard 8.4" discs and servo set-up, then it would be very appreciated.

Yes I know I can go and look it up and I do have a Haynes manual, but as this will be the first time I've ever carried out the task myself (with the misses helping), then I'd really like to hear about any problems or pitfalls that I might encounter. Especially from DIY beginner/novices like me?

Edited by taffy1967, 23 September 2007 - 03:43 PM.

[Ethel]

Try all the bleed screws first, it's a tad annoying when you've already piddled out half of the fluid 'n you find a seized one then can't move the car to sort it out.

Back off the caliper pistons fully.

Have a good look at the pipes 'n hoses the time to replace 'em is while they're empty.

Use a syringe to suck the air out 'n fluid through

Put an old towel or similar round the master cylinder and finish by bleeding the pipe unions on the cylinder - apply a little pressure to the pedal and just ease the pipe nut till it oozes a little fluid. The pipe union is the highest point in the system so air always congregates there.

[taffy1967]

Thanks Ethel and I have one of those Ezibleed kits, so that should help.

But just how much brake fluid do I need to thoroughly bleed the whole system?

[Ethel]

Not much, 1/2L should be more than enough it doesn't keep either.

[redhotmini]

synthetic brake fluid is ok - as long as its dot 4 spec. its basically a replacement for dot 3 which died off years ago and the two are safe to mix. the only ones not to mix is dot 4 and dot 5 silicone fluid, although you can get away with mixing dot 4 with dot 5.1 (sounds like bloody windows updates).

silicone fluid is non hydroscopic which means it doesnt hold water, so in theory it lasts ages. downside is that old rubber seals in your brake system hate it.

[ginigwunkle]

thers new stuff(maybe new not sure)

anyway, its brake / clutch fluid but it doesnt dissolve paint and heats up more!

[taffy1967]

Okay thanks for the replies and I'll probably just invest in the O/E Lockheed brake fluid that Mini Spares supply, because that's essentially what I've always used over the years and I've not had any bother.

Plus I trust the Mini specialists far more than my local motor factors anyway.

Edited by taffy1967, 24 September 2007 - 03:52 PM.

[taffy1967]

Well as luck would have it we stumbled upon a Unipart parts supplies shop only a few miles or so from our home. Well my misses happened to see a Unipart sign in the window and so we checked it out yesterday.

So I invested in some Unipart Brake & Clutch Fluid, which in truth is what I've always used in my Mini (and every Mini I've owned over the years).

The container information is identical and there's no mention of it being silicone based. It just states (like on the old container I've had for years), that it exceeds all car manufacturers specifications for European, Japanese and American cars. But it's not suitable for certain Citroen models that require a dedicated Mineral product (or words to that effect).

I've also been told (by my local Mini Specialists) that Unipart & Lockheed Brake Fluid are exactly the same.

So I bought 2 500ml containers because it worked out at less than half price what my local motor factors wanted and so we also stocked up on some Unipart anti-freeze, washer bottle additive and glass cleaner. Although we found the glass cleaner a bit smeary, unless it was the fault of the duster we used?

Anyway I'll be sorting out bleeding the brakes and clutch after we get back from Castle Combe, but I'll start another thread because whilst doing an oil change, something worrying came out attached to my sump plug!

Edited by taffy1967, 26 September 2007 - 01:34 PM.

[Dan]

But it's not suitable for certain Citroen models that require a dedicated Mineral product (or words to that effect).

It's the 'certain Citroen models' that have to use silicon fluid. It really isn't OK to mix silicon and mineral fluid just because they are both the same DOT rating. Experiments have been done, results have been published. Not a good thing.

Edited by Dan, 26 September 2007 - 01:57 PM.

[taffy1967]

Thanks Dan and my local Mini specialists (Selective Mini Spares) stated that it should be okay to use silicone, so long as you get rid of all the non-silicone fluid first (and vice versa).

But I'm happy to use Unipart since that's what has always been used without any problems.

[scrumpymini]

Hi all can i jump on this thread and ask ( sorry left Haynes at work ) how much fluid i will need for the brakes ( servos type ) and clutch, they are both totally dry after a complete rebuild ( fingers crossed ).