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Q & A: Brake Fluid, University Motors

For some factual information on Silicone DOT5 Brake Fluid please contact :
Automec Equipment & Parts Ltd 36 Ballmoor Buckingham ENGLAND MK18 1RQ Fax 0044 1280 823140 or see our Website www.automec.co.uk

There is so much wrong information particularly on American pages - surprising since the stuff is only made in the States - that it would take weeks to deal with all of the points raised. We have been selling SBF DOT5 and using it ourselves since 1982 and wouldn't sell or use anything else. We have had two vehicles go over 200,000 miles on it! Basically - IT IS NOT A RACING FLUID but it will not boil below 260c(500f) and many club racers do get good results with it. It will not damage paint. It will not catch fire easily as 'glycol does - just check the relative flashpoints. Contrary to many reports it is very easy to switch to SBF - we have never changed a seal or hose, we certainly would never use anything other than SBF to flush through during the normal bleeding process. We bleed by the book and since all SBF is purple the job is even simpler. It is permanent because it effectively absorbs no moisture. It prevents corrosion and all of the problems associated with that. The viscosity is stable thru most temperature extremes you are likely to encounter - which is why the US Army specify it - and in a very short time it is very cost effective. ie The BMW Dealers here charge more than 100pds.stg. just to change the fluid at a service interval - good business eh! Not with us anymore - we use it exclusively in all of our vehicles, including a BMW728 and an 840 and wouldn't use anything else! You should use however DOT or SAE rated hoses, and other perishable items. Since SBF is DOT rated it should assure you that it has been proven to be compatible with all the other DOT/SAE rated items in the system - hoses, seals,fluid and switch material (this latter item DOT rated seems to be difficult to get hold of and we suspect that something in those switches can from some sources cause problems)

Ray Smith
PS Are you in anyway connected to the famous UMECO Mayfair London back in the sixties? I used to work with them!

RAY!

Thank you VERY kindly for this note. I use silicone fluid in the shop on the very nicest cars only. Those with "normal" firewalls get the Castrol LMA. I've run into several problems with the silicone: Seal sw... read more