Adding brake fluid - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

msilvia · 10-16-2001, 12:36 PM

My brake fluid is just a bit towards the MIN marker, so I was thinking of topping it off.  Problem is, I have no idea what's in there now.  Is there one specific kind that all 240s should be using?  I figure I should just put in DOT3, but I don't really know, and isn't mixing them bad?  

It's a '90.  TIA!

*ca18guy* · 10-16-2001, 12:45 PM

Does'nt it say on the cap? If not look in the owner's manual. I just bought some but it's in my car (i would go look but i live on the 4th floor, i'm lazy <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> )

HippoSleek · 10-16-2001, 01:11 PM

DOT3 and DOT4 are generally mixable, unless you have some odd synthetic stuff.  The bottle that you bought ought to say this - if not, it is true anyway.  

Keep in mind that when the level in the resevior drops, there is a reason.  It is a closed system!  That means that either you have a leak or you have worn pads somewhere.  A very slight leak (i.e., you haven't had the brakes touched in a long time) is not a big deal, BUT, if it has been that long, you may want to bleed the brakes and replace the fluid entirely.

I'll also give you my standard lecture that brake fluid is more important than rotors and nearly as important as pads when it comes to high quality stopping power.  In other words, don't skimp on the fluid.  DOT4 would do you right if you do serious driving that uses the brakes hard.

*drifterx* · 10-16-2001, 01:59 PM

can u just flush it?

*ca18guy* · 10-16-2001, 02:00 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from drifterx on 1:59 pm on Oct. 16, 2001
can u just flush it?
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

What do you mean? You can run brake fluid through it a few times to "clean it" if that's what you mean.

HippoSleek · 10-17-2001, 07:47 AM

Flush it - that way you will get nothing but pure, good brake fluid, but you only need to run in new fluid (if there's anything but air in your brake system, fluid is the least of your worries).  Easiest way is to call around and find someplace that has ATE SuperBlue (this is a nice hi-temp fluid that is easy to flush with b/c it is blue, not clear or brown).  Then, when you open up the bleed nipple on the first one (I think right rear b/c it's furthest away from the master cylinder), keep bleeding until it flows blue w/ no bubbles (don't open the nipple too much or it will always bubble).  Then go around the car and bleed out each one until it's blue.  BTW: one can of ATE is about $15 - so it is a lot cheaper than Motul or some of the others.  

*drifterx* · 10-17-2001, 09:03 AM

yeah hipposleek has the right idea....
it is better to flush the whole system up

Gold240se · 10-17-2001, 02:37 PM

How much fluid do you get for $15?

HippoSleek · 10-18-2001, 08:20 AM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Gold240se on 12:37 pm on Oct. 17, 2001
How much fluid do you get for $15?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Enough - one quart.  Motul is about $12/ pint.  In my experience, two pints was plenty to flush and bleed.

*drifterx* · 10-18-2001, 09:16 AM

i got 2 pints and i had extra

10-16-2001, 12:36 PM	#1
msilvia Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 18 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My brake fluid is just a bit towards the MIN marker, so I was thinking of topping it off.  Problem is, I have no idea what's in there now.  Is there one specific kind that all 240s should be using?  I figure I should just put in DOT3, but I don't really know, and isn't mixing them bad?   It's a '90.  TIA!

10-16-2001, 12:45 PM	#2
ca18guy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Clearwater FL Age: 41 Posts: 3,226 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: ca18guy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Does'nt it say on the cap? If not look in the owner's manual. I just bought some but it's in my car (i would go look but i live on the 4th floor, i'm lazy <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> )

10-16-2001, 01:11 PM	#3
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	DOT3 and DOT4 are generally mixable, unless you have some odd synthetic stuff.  The bottle that you bought ought to say this - if not, it is true anyway.   Keep in mind that when the level in the resevior drops, there is a reason.  It is a closed system!  That means that either you have a leak or you have worn pads somewhere.  A very slight leak (i.e., you haven't had the brakes touched in a long time) is not a big deal, BUT, if it has been that long, you may want to bleed the brakes and replace the fluid entirely. I'll also give you my standard lecture that brake fluid is more important than rotors and nearly as important as pads when it comes to high quality stopping power.  In other words, don't skimp on the fluid.  DOT4 would do you right if you do serious driving that uses the brakes hard.

10-16-2001, 01:59 PM	#4
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 43 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	can u just flush it?

10-16-2001, 02:00 PM	#5
ca18guy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Clearwater FL Age: 41 Posts: 3,226 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: ca18guy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from drifterx on 1:59 pm on Oct. 16, 2001 can u just flush it? </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> What do you mean? You can run brake fluid through it a few times to "clean it" if that's what you mean.

10-17-2001, 07:47 AM	#6
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Flush it - that way you will get nothing but pure, good brake fluid, but you only need to run in new fluid (if there's anything but air in your brake system, fluid is the least of your worries).  Easiest way is to call around and find someplace that has ATE SuperBlue (this is a nice hi-temp fluid that is easy to flush with b/c it is blue, not clear or brown).  Then, when you open up the bleed nipple on the first one (I think right rear b/c it's furthest away from the master cylinder), keep bleeding until it flows blue w/ no bubbles (don't open the nipple too much or it will always bubble).  Then go around the car and bleed out each one until it's blue.  BTW: one can of ATE is about $15 - so it is a lot cheaper than Motul or some of the others.

10-17-2001, 09:03 AM	#7
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 43 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah hipposleek has the right idea.... it is better to flush the whole system up

10-17-2001, 02:37 PM	#8
Gold240se Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 140 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How much fluid do you get for $15?

10-18-2001, 08:20 AM	#9
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Gold240se on 12:37 pm on Oct. 17, 2001 How much fluid do you get for $15?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Enough - one quart.  Motul is about $12/ pint.  In my experience, two pints was plenty to flush and bleed.

10-18-2001, 09:16 AM	#10
drifterx Premium Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: boston, ma Age: 43 Posts: 1,533 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i got 2 pints and i had extra