Re: [bmw] Brake Fluid oops

[Robert Chase <beostar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hmmmm,

Dot 4 fluid has a different boiling point and water absorbing 
qualities.  I think its rather similar to Dot 3 otherwise.  If it were 
one of my cars I would be making an appointment with my mechanic to have 
the brake fluid changed.  I heard of someone putting the wrong kind of 
fluid on one of my other lists (they put some other kind of fluid [power 
steering, transmission or something otherwise bizzarre] in the master 
cylender) and it eventually deteriorated his seals in the brakes.  
Eventually it required the replacment and major cleaning of lots of 
components in the system.  I am a "fluid" nazi with my Mercedes and even 
use the special Mercedes fluid in the radiator to keep from 
deteriorating the plastic in the Behr radiator (my radiator is original 
and over 22 years old with no problems at all).  German cars in general 
are engineered rather tightly and there is less fudge factor than in any 
other type of vehicles. 
I dont think the lower grade of brake fluid will do damage but I would 
not reccomend leaving it in the car for more than the time it takes you 
to make an appointment to have it replaced.

Robert Chase



Gerry Phillips wrote:


> Hello All,
>
> I messed up and I need to know how badly.  I checked my brake fluid 
> reservoir on my '89 535i this past weekend and it was low.   I've topped 
> off my brake fluid in the past and I know my car calls for Dot 4, but for 
> some reason I picked up Dot 3 and topped it off with that.  I guess I was 
> too busy thinking about spending a nice Valentine's evening with my 
> fiancee.  I realized it after I had already done it.  My questions are: 
> Will Dot 3 hurt anything?  Should I have the system drained and refilled? 
> And what are the differences between Dot 3 and Dot 4? 
> Thanks in  advance. 
>
> Gerry A. Phillips 
> BMWCCA Peachtree Chapter
> 89 535i
> 87 325is
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