Anyone using DOT 5.1 Fluid?

[AM400]

I have finally got all my front suspension back together along with rebuilt calipers and new master cylinder so I was planning to bleed the brakes this weekend.

I am going to use DOT 5.1 fluid but was just wondering if anyone else is using this with any noticable benefits? Also is there a set way to bleed the Princess 4 pots baring in mind they have 4 bleed screws per caliper!

Cheers

[matt-man]

I put 5.1 in my 400, although the fluid in the car before had was totally shot as she'd been sitting for 4 years before i bought her...seems to work well enough!

I just had my dad pumping away on the pedal whilst i opened the bleed valves up one at a time! I did top to bottom on both and had no problems.

[falcemob]

I use dot5.1 in my race car (not a Wedge) but if you are not racing or braking from racing speeds and as much, DOT5.1 wont be any different to DOT4. The wet boiling point of DOT5.1 is only slightly higher than DOT4 and the dry point is the same I think.
When you bleed the callipers start with the bleed screw furthest away from the inlet and work towards it, once you have been all round start from the beginning again to double check there is no air left in them.

[FrenchTVR]

I use 5.1 in the Wedge, road and track use. Never had any problems with the brakes going spongey.

[350zwelgje]

Dot 5.1. convict here as well. Never problems on the road, neither during trackdays. To continue to have the benefit it is necessary to replace it quite regularly, otherwise it will become like dot4 within a year. Always use it now on all cars as it is not expensive.

Rob

[number 7]

I've also used 5.1 for years, changing the fluid once a year. I seem to remember reading somewhere that its not necessary to bleed from all 4 points, but cant remember which. And its much easier with a pressure bleeder, although a bit tricky to set up sometimes.

7.

[dickymint]

I've been told that for normal driving it makes no difference at all!!! In fact water would be just as good apart from its corrosive problems. Theoretically i can except this

[Wedgetarian]

I'm sure that the corrosive problems would be the least of your worries the first time you set off when the car had been in a heavy frost.

Still the brakes would probably lock on as ice expands.

Russ

[badredwedge]

I use 5.1 it may make no difference but it just might... one day... thats the way I look at it.

[rev-erend]

I've used it for years..

It used to be expensive but it's now cheap and as chips Dicky is right that in normal driving it's not needed but push on a bit faster and it will be worth the extra £5 it costs..

[adam quantrill]

I use 5.1 and it makes the car go faster, and I brake later. It's all in the mind...

[brummiewedge]

If i am right it wont make the brakes any better, its just that it wont reach boiling point so easily, after all its just hydraulics, and the water comment is right. However i seem to remember some where that 5.1 can soak in water, so must be changed more often?

[dickymint]

brummiewedge said:

If i am right it wont make the brakes any better, its just that it wont reach boiling point so easily, after all its just hydraulics, and the water comment is right. However i seem to remember some where that 5.1 can soak in water, so must be changed more often?

Hydroscopic is the term (i think)

[rev-erend]

brummiewedge said:

If i am right it wont make the brakes any better, its just that it wont reach boiling point so easily, after all its just hydraulics, and the water comment is right. However i seem to remember some where that 5.1 can soak in water, so must be changed more often?

Think you are refering to dot 5.0 Silicon..

Which was a disaster..

Any brake fluid should be changed every 2 years IMHO.

If I was a track day freak - then would change yearly.

[AM400]

Thanks for the replies all, off to get some fluid and an EzeeBleed kit in the morning then hopefully out the garage for its first wash in 12 months!

Cheers
Andy