Can you flush out a brake system if someone mixed DOT 5 with DOT 3 or 4. and not have any problems? It has turned to a gel-like substance. ( No it was not me)
May just have to open a bleeder valve, pump it out into a container, refill and drain until the gel is gone. I've never had a problem with this before, but that is what i would most likely do in the situation. Maybe this will help? http://www.pbrperformance.com.au/documents/FlushingYourBrakeSystem.pdf
Id advise against going to that sadik site...I dont get these often, maybe once a month, I personally avoid sites like this. My two cent Doing as Andy said should work, make sure its the last brake though(driver rear I think???)
Wow, I will delete the link... I clicked it and nothing popped up. But I did realize my antivirus has expired. I havent been using the computer much but other people have been. Time to find a new free antivirus.
I went to the site and didn't have a problem (yet) and up-to-date free AVG didn't flag it. Good info there but better safe than sorry.
Yea, I didn't see anything wrong with the site either, but who knows. I don't want to cause a problem w/ someones computer, so just ignore that link. I hope the OP gets his problem fixed
As far as I know those fluids cannot be mixed and even a change to dot 5 requires a lot of work cleaning and flushing with alcohol. I would assume you now have to go through the cleaning procedure. Dot5 does gel mixed with other brake fluids. The problem is they dont mix together kind of like oil and water. We really have to watch this at work doing LOF's. Especially the apprentices the do the lube rack. I believe all dot5 fluids are purple. If it were my car I would go through the cleaning procedure just as if I was switching to dot5. You may want to google it though and fine some good info from a reliable site like the fluid manufacturer.
Don't flush with alcohol! Never put anything in brake system other than brake fluid!! I did a quick google,,, may take several flushing over several days to clean all out with the DOT 5 and DOT 3 gel mix. Hopefully with the flush, with the brake fluid of your choice, you'll be back in business. alcohol or other cleaners more than likely will swell you rubber. Lots of knowledge an opinions on the Internet,,, you'll have to decide which way to go. Good Luck
Actually alcohol is one of the few things you can use to clean brake parts thats why brake cleaners are alcohol based that leave no residue. All alcohol must be removed and dried before re-assembly. After the system is flushed with alcohol the components have to be removed and replaced or dis assembled, cleaned,dried and re assembled and all lines blown out to dry. This is why its not worth the switch to dot5 unless its a new system. Dont take my advice, research it yourself. This is only what I have been told by the manufacturers. Even with my 20 plus years experienced as a factory tech I still dont like giving out brake advice. If I do you can be assured its accurate though. Remember this is a forum and people have there own ideas and views regardless of experience or knowledge, right or wrong. Its up to the poster to do the research which includes the forum advice and decide what is the right course of action. Good luck with the brake system and be safe.
I switched to DOT 5 on my Mustang 18 years ago. Never had a problem. I simply bled each wheel an extra amount. People get overly paranoid about things like this.
Alcohol can be used on steel lines, brake bleeders (to clean old fluid out) but the rubber lines, seals, and wheel cylinder rubber your asking for trouble. I am old school, but I don't think the newer cars are ok to flush with alcohol. side note,,,, always good to have a couple cans of alcohol for AFTER the job is done!!!!! I threw out quick reply in case someone was reading and dashing out to clean system. Your reply is very good with much to be said on doing research and making your own decision. From the racing sites,,,, lots of racers, even the bowtie boys, go with the Ford Motorcraft brake fluid. It's right up there with the big buck fluid
I am doing this work on something I just purchased. The previous owner made the mistake. I have done some research, but we all know there are a million answers out there for virtually any problem/question. I was hoping someone else may have run accross this before and wanted some real do/dont answers to go by. Thanks for everything so far.
Back in 1980 I bought a 1300 Kawasaki motorcycle. I flushed fluid out an used the silicone fluid. It worked ok an I had no problems with brakes. I didn't know any better back then. Not much for you to lose,,,, flush it out with new fluid, may take a couple times, an see what happens. Good Luck
