'Jelly' in brake fluid reservoir

[Spathodus77]

Hi all,

Approx 6 weeks ago I removed the flexible brake hoses from the S and had some braided hoses manufactured. Two weeks later I fitted the new hoses, in the interim period the brake fluid had drained out of the system. Upon bleeding the brakes we started to notice a substance like clear silicone sealant in the waste brake fluid. This was also present in the brake fluid reservoir on the outside of the brake fluid level sensor. The 'jelly' wiped off easily and I have since driven the car with no particular problems (although the brakes may still have tiny bit of air in).

A week ago I popped the top of the reservoir to find more jelly:



Can anyone confirm what this is? Whenever I start to think it is dry brake fluid I start to wonder why open containers of old brake fluid don't form this substance ...any ideas would be appreciated...

Could it harm the braking performance of the car and is there any action I should take?

Thanks,

Ralph.

PS: I am aware that the picture does look a little rude if you have the wrong sort of mind

[tvrgit]

I have to admit I have never seen or heard of this before.

What comes to mind is an inconsistent mix of brake fluid types, ie a mineral and synthetic brake fluid.

You can mix mineral brake fluid (ie DOT4 and DOT5.1) but not synthetiic (DOT5). Synthetic fluid might be seen as better because it isn't hygroscopic (it doesn't absorb water), but if you've had mineral fluid in there before, you have to remove EVERY TRACE of the old fluid (including changing ALL the seals) before you put synthetic in.

What grade of brake fluid did you use after fitting the hoses?

As I say, I might be away barking up the wrong tree (or even completely out of mine) but that's the first question that comes to mind...

Edited by tvrgit on Saturday 12th December 19:50

[mep12345]

tvrgit said:

What comes to mind is an inconsistent mix of brake fluid types, ie a mineral and synthetic brake fluid.

That would be my guess too, either that or the braided hoses has something inside them when fitted, although I think this is highly unlikely.

Mark

[Barkychoc]

mep12345 said:

tvrgit said:

What comes to mind is an inconsistent mix of brake fluid types, ie a mineral and synthetic brake fluid.

That would be my guess too, either that or the braided hoses has something inside them when fitted, although I think this is highly unlikely.

Mark

That was also my thought when I read the title, aspecially as the 'other' brake fluid is silicon based.

To be honest though - do you want to risk it?
I'd seriously consider flushing the system and fitting all new seals - it might be overkill but you don't want to regret it when you're playing your harp sitting on a cloud do you??!!

Edited to add this, I haven't read it all

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=173799

Edited by Barkychoc on Saturday 12th December 20:18

[phillpot]

Doesn't look good ! Googled "mixing brake fluids" , someone described result as "like Italian salad dressing" .

Got to agree with the other guys, total strip down, clean/replace seals then decide which type of fluid to go for and stick with it !

[TonupS2]

Many moons ago in my 1600E days. My girl friend at the time was using the car while I was away working and she topped up the brake fluid from a tin I had in the garage that looked very much like a tin of brake fluid (if I remember rightly it was rad flush) the result was a chemical reaction that turned all the fluid to a gel/soild in parts. It basically wrote the car off as it had gummed up all the pipes, calipers, master cylinder etc. and nearly caused a bad accident. I have been so very careful since (no girls in the garage). Get it flushed as soon as. Don't leave it to harden further.

[Spathodus77]

Hi all,

Firstly, thanks to all for your comments to date. For the record the new fluid I put in the reservoir was DOT 4.

Since my post I called the brake fluid manufacturer for advice: "it has nothing to do with the brake fluid" - surely it has everything to do with the brake fluid!!!

I also spoke to our local TVR independant and he has seen this before with very old brake fluid. Intrigued I went through the cars substantial history file and I have found that the last recorded time that new brake fluid was put in the system was 1997. At this time SRF brake fluid was used and apparently this is silicone based, although according to Castrol this fluid is completely miscible with DOT3 and 4 fluids. The bumpf on the web states that Castrol SRF should be changed every 18 months...mine may have been in there 12 years

The advice from the TVR indie is to throughly flush the system. I'II do this and also double check the situation with the mechanics I use to do work on the daily driver.

Ralph.