brake fluid

[red lynch]

Im getting old I guess. The parttimers is turning into alzheimers. Anyway I went out to check the buick and the brake fluid is low. I rummaged around and found some DOT 3 fluid . Is this stuff ok to use ? If not what fluid is ok to use. Oh yeah, its for the 65 gran sport with drum brakes.
 Thanks in advance.

[Mark Ascher]

DOT 3 is fine. Chances are high that that is whats in there now.
DOT 5 is silicone, which you don't want to use unless you flush and clean all the DOT 3 out including all rubber components.
HTH

Mark

[red lynch]

Thanks Mark, I just didn't want to put in the wrong stuff as you know it can lead to problems. Im gonna have to stamp dot 3 on my forehead so I will remember.

[nut465gs]

Dot 3 brake fluid is generally what was used in our older cars. Dot 3 is very corrosive so you should be careful not to spill any on the paint.

Since the fluid was low, you should look for the source of the leak. Most of the time, it's the wheel cylinders that go bad. Look for wet spots on the brake drums or tires. Also look at the master cylinder for wet spots along the firewall inside and out. Examine all the brake lines too, rubber and steel. You do not want to have a total brake system failure, it's not good for paint either.

John

[red lynch]

Thanks John. I appreciate your info.

[GreatScat1965]

You mentioned that you had the DOT 3 fluid laying around. Brake fluid (DOT 3 & 4) will collect moisture. It is always recommended to take brake fluid from un unopened container to avoid moisture and contaminates. That may be a little excessive but if you can't remember when you bought it; it's probably too old.

Jerry,

[GS66]

I've got some I should discard then. I don't even know if they still even make Wynn's products anymore.

[elagache]

Dear John, Mark, Jerry, Jim, and mid-60s Buick . . . . model railroaders . . . . 

I've got some I should discard then. I don't even know if they still even make Wynn's products anymore.

. . . . What you mean get rid of it?  Even with a little moisture, brake fluid is great for stripping paint off of model railroad cars!  Since my trusty wagon has a new brake system, about all I do with brake fluid is related to my model railroad!! . . . . .

Cheers, Edouard 

P.S. Is such a practice - "politically correct?" . . . . err well, . . . not exactly! 

[WkillGS]

Taking this one step further, brake fluid in a car should be changed every couple of years.
After all, it's the moisture in the system fluid that eventually leads to corrosion in the master cylinder, brake lines and wheel cylinders.
Best to get the old contaminated fluid out, and replace it with fresh fluid

Easiest method is to use a pressure bleeder such as the one offered by Motive:
https://www.motiveproducts.com/

I made something similar using a 1/2 gallon weed sprayer from the hardware store.

An auto repair facility can perform the service as well.