• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Brake and clutch fluid 73 TR6

Share this page

F

Flummoxed

Senior Member
Offline
Almost everywhere I've searched, I read that Dot 3 should not be used in my 73 TR6 brake system. However, Dot 3 is what the reservoir lid tells me to use. Also, would this also stand to reason that Dot 3 is used in the clutch, too? I did read one time that the use of Dot 4 or 5 only applies to the very early Triumphs. Can anyone help me with this. Thanks.
 
No, it's not new. Not knowing what fluid the previous owner put in, I'm going to bleed both brake and clutch systems. Just not sure which fluids to refill with. Thanks for the reply.
 
I have a 73 Midget and it takes Dot 3, There was a discussion a couple days ago about avoiding using Dot 5 in a Dot 3 system due to the fact it will eat and destroy rubber seals exposed to Dot 3 fluid. If in doubt go with Dot 3. Save you some headaches down the road when you seals fail.
Ɛan

Here is the thread: https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/u..._Flu#Post423758
 
I think (Barry, feel free to correct me) what he means is that DOT 3 has a nasty habit of absorbing moisture from the air and causing lots of corrosion inside the brake system, eventually leaving lots of brown sludge. It seems to be much worse on LBCs because they aren't air tight, and even modern cars can absorb moisture eventually through the rubber hoses. If you use DOT 3, you'll need to change the fluid regularly. You might want to look at something like Castrol LMA (Moss Motors has it, I haven't seen it in stores), or Valvoline Synpower brake fluid, since both of those profess to be less prone to absorbing moisture. Those are OK to mix with DOT 3.

If you need to identify what you've already got, DOT 5 starts out purple, but may fade to something clear. If the fluid is amber or brown, it's DOT 3 or 4. If it's really dark brown, it's very old DOT 3 or 4. :smile:
 
Dave,
You are correct. However, my system was a new rebuild and after sitting for a few months Dot 3 started to drip out of the brand new calipers. I will NEVER, use dot 3 in the Austin Healey again!
 
Guys there is one simple solution (no pun intended :square:) simply use Castrol GT/LMA which IS available practily EVERYWHERE. :thumbsup:
:cheers:
Ed
 
Back
Top