Brake/Clutch Fluid

[pezzonovante88]

Castrol GT LMA synthetic or non-synthetic? I'm assuming the latter, but I just want to be sure.....

[jawn101]

Also curious where people are finding this stuff. I know it's the de facto recommended fluid for the D, but I haven't seen it at any of the chains in my town.

[pezzonovante88]

Also curious where people are finding this stuff. I know it's the de facto recommended fluid for the D, but I haven't seen it at any of the chains in my town.

I've been told most places have to special order it. I'm about to start looking but I want to know if I should synth. or not.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I think all DOT4 fluid is LMA (low moisture absorbtion) so just look for DOT4.

I get mine at NAPA. They sell it in quart containers that really saves a lot of $.

Synthetic will not have moisture proplems so it should not say LMA with synthetic.

[pezzonovante88]

I think all DOT4 fluid is LMA (low moisture absorbtion) so just look for DOT4.

I get mine at NAPA. They sell it in quart containers that really saves a lot of $.

Synthetic will not have moisture proplems so it should not say LMA with synthetic.

http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-GT-LMA-Brake-Fluid/dp/B002KOFHYI

[David T]

Most of the large chains handle Castrol products and should have the brake fluid in stock. It is more expensive than many other brands but not all that much. And since you don't need a lot it really shouldn't matter. You should be flushing the brakes and the clutch every other year. Takes about 4 1/2 pints. Do not keep a lot of it around, it goes bad by absorbing moisture form the air. Never reuse any that you remove from the car and dispose of it properly.
David Teitelbaum

[Bitsyncmaster]

http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-GT-LMA-Brake-Fluid/dp/B002KOFHYI

Well, I'll be ......

The whole point of synthetic is it's not affected by water.

[Cory W]

Castrol GT LMA synthetic or non-synthetic? I'm assuming the latter, but I just want to be sure.....

FWIW, CanTire sells Prestone DOT4 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/Brakes/BrakeFluid/PRD~0381904P/Prestone+DOT+4+Brake+Fluid.jsp?locale=en) off the shelf, and it's also synthetic. Been running it exclusively in mine since 2008 without issue. Just follow the change intervals and you should never have a problem either.

[jawn101]

Amazon has the other one as well - http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-GT-LMA-Brake-Fluid/dp/B0002JMAKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330356586&sr=8-1

But come to think of it, it doesn't *say* that it's conventional, and going by the product image is a dangerous thing with third party sellers.

It does say that it "mixes with other conventional fluids" - and if the product image is anything to go by (again, I don't recommend this..) this is the one that everyone's been posting.

[jmettee]

I use Valvoline DOT 3/4 Synthetic since it's the common brand name I can find locally. Can't find the Castol stuff anywhere. No problems with it & it also advertises the low-moisture absorption formula also. WalMart sells it as does the local Autozone & Advance Auto, IIRC.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/dot-3-4-brake-fluid/28

Valvoline® DOT 3 & 4 Brake Fluid
For all ABS, drum or disc brake systems requiring DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid

Compatible with all braking systems requiring a DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid
Mixes well with conventional fluids
High dry boiling point up to 480°F reduces the risk of fluid evaporation and possible brake failure
Low-moisture formula provides excellent vapor lock protection
Maximizes ABS performance
Ideal for hydraulic and disc brakes
Surpasses specifications SAE J1703, FMVSS No. 116 and DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Minimum wet boiling point is 311°F

[jawn101]

I use Valvoline DOT 3/4 Synthetic since it's the common brand name I can find locally. Can't find the Castol stuff anywhere. No problems with it & it also advertises the low-moisture absorption formula also. WalMart sells it as does the local Autozone & Advance Auto, IIRC.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/dot-3-4-brake-fluid/28

Valvoline® DOT 3 & 4 Brake Fluid
For all ABS, drum or disc brake systems requiring DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid

Compatible with all braking systems requiring a DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid
Mixes well with conventional fluids
High dry boiling point up to 480°F reduces the risk of fluid evaporation and possible brake failure
Low-moisture formula provides excellent vapor lock protection
Maximizes ABS performance
Ideal for hydraulic and disc brakes
Surpasses specifications SAE J1703, FMVSS No. 116 and DOT 4 Motor Vehicle Brake Fluid
Minimum wet boiling point is 311°F


This is what the guy at my CarQuest recommended as well when I asked about the GTLMA. Do you use it in your clutch system as well?

[Chris4099]

I remember a few years ago Castrol switched their fluid a little bit and started marketing it as synthetic. This caused a bit of a freak out in the old .com forum. Some of the members contacted Castrol directly and it turns out their fluid has always been "synthetic" and that it was mostly a label change. So you should still be safe to use that if you can find it.

Fortunately there is a local auto parts chain here that sells Castrol brake fluid, so I'm able to pick it up. But I've seen others use the Valvoline DOT 4 with no issues either (I have it in my DD). It's the DOT 5 you want to stay way from!

[pezzonovante88]

I remember a few years ago Castrol switched their fluid a little bit and started marketing it as synthetic. This caused a bit of a freak out in the old .com forum. Some of the members contacted Castrol directly and it turns out their fluid has always been "synthetic" and that it was mostly a label change. So you should still be safe to use that if you can find it.

Fortunately there is a local auto parts chain here that sells Castrol brake fluid, so I'm able to pick it up. But I've seen others use the Valvoline DOT 4 with no issues either (I have it in my DD). It's the DOT 5 you want to stay way from!

I just found a NAPA shop that just got some Castrol in today. My reservoir is bone dry, so I'm going to buy 6 or 7 355ml bottles.

[DMCMW Dave]

A year or two back the word "Synthetic" started showing up on the Castrol GT/LMA bottles. I don't know if this is marketing or they really changed something, but it is what we still use.

[David T]

Don't confuse "synthetic" with "silicone". Not the same thing. Synthetic will be DOT 5 and should only be used in racing applications or where required by the car manufacturer.
The reason Castrol is being recommended is because we have a history of it being compatible with the rubber compounds used in the brake and clutch hydraulics. It is the product of choice for all of the cars made in the UK. I am sure other brands are just as good, we just don't know enough to recommend them. In ALL cases you still must flush the stuff out every 2 years. I also would not recommend mixing different brands. To meet DOT 4 requirements they all have to have pretty similar chemistry so how different can any DOT 4 brake fluid brand be? My guess is all of the companies buy the same "base" product, add some color and maybe some additives and stick it into a pretty bottle.
David Teitelbaum

[Chris 16409]

I've had great luck finding the Castrol fluid at Orchard Supply Hardware.

[tgraham]

It is the product of choice for all of the cars made in the UK. I am sure other brands are just as good, we just don't know enough to recommend them.

The only time I did NOT use Castrol GT/LMA in a British vehicle (with a Lucas master cylinder, of course) and opted instead for some other DOT-4 brake fluid, the rubber seal severely deteriorated after one year of light use! This was not a very scientific test, of course, but...

I have a tough time believing that *something* didn't change in the GT/LMA product when they switched the labeling to read "synthetic" - it was a different color than the old version (and, IIRC, stated something to that effect on the label). However, I've been using it since then in a variety of cars with no premature meltdowns yet.

Travis

[thegovernor9912]

Don't confuse "synthetic" with "silicone". Not the same thing. Synthetic will be DOT 5 and should only be used in racing applications or where required by the car manufacturer.
The reason Castrol is being recommended is because we have a history of it being compatible with the rubber compounds used in the brake and clutch hydraulics. It is the product of choice for all of the cars made in the UK. I am sure other brands are just as good, we just don't know enough to recommend them. In ALL cases you still must flush the stuff out every 2 years. I also would not recommend mixing different brands. To meet DOT 4 requirements they all have to have pretty similar chemistry so how different can any DOT 4 brake fluid brand be? My guess is all of the companies buy the same "base" product, add some color and maybe some additives and stick it into a pretty bottle.
David Teitelbaum

+1

I can't think of another owner of a British automobile(Lotus, Triump, TVR, etc.) that I have met that doesn't swear by GT LMA.

I can't find it right now, but I also saw a article that found that GT LMA was basically the top off the shelf brake fluid in terms of moisture absorption and boiling point. However, that new Valvoline synthetic was not included in the article.

[jmettee]

This is what the guy at my CarQuest recommended as well when I asked about the GTLMA. Do you use it in your clutch system as well?

Yep, using it in both clutch & brake systems. However I did note that after draining & cleaning the clutch lines, I used the Valvoline & the hose from the reservoir to the clutch master was "sweating" along the entire length. I wiped it down & a week later it was sweating again. I changed the hose out to a section of fuel hose (I believe) & it's been fine.

I still have the original hose. Not sure if it was the fluid that made it sweat, or something I may have cleaned the hose with. Either way, something for others to see if they have the same issue or not.

No problems with the brake system at all.

[jawn101]

I've had great luck finding the Castrol fluid at Orchard Supply Hardware.

Bravo, Chris. Good call - and not even that expensive.

[Ryan S.]

How much brake fluid do you need to flush the brake system? Mine is an automatic transmission.
Thanks

[Bitsyncmaster]

My guess would be about 8 oz per wheel. So get the quart bottle if you can.

[David T]

Figure on using 4 pints to properly flush all of the old stuff out. Another 2 for the clutch on 5-speeds. The brake system is no different on the autos or the manuals. Remove as much as you can from the reservoir and then wipe it out with alcohol and fill it with fresh before flushing the old stuff out. Put a block of wood under the pedal so you can't push the brake pedal all the way to the floor. That way you won't ruin the seals in the master cylinder. Don't let the reservoir run dry or you have to start all over again. Never try to reuse brake fluid. Top off the reservoir after doing each wheel.
David Teitelbaum