John,

Chill!

DOT-3 and DOT-4 are compatible.  Putting in DOT-3 is not a disaster.  It
just has a lower boiling point.  It will not harm the system.  DOT-4 is
better, especially in a Westy, as it is more likely to be driven down
mountain roads at full weight.

Yeah, when filling mine, I make a point to use DOT-4, but if I need
fluid and all that's available is DOT-3, I use it and figure I'll drain
the system in a few months anyway.

BTW, my cap doesn't say anything in Englische.

Karl Wolz

 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of
 > John Rodgers
 > Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 8:25 AM
 > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
 > Subject: Re: Brake Fluid Dot 3 & 4?
 > 
 > Sorry, having DOT 3 put in your van is a BAD!BAD!BAD! by the
mechanic.
 > Can he not read??
 > 
 > Right on the fill cap it says DOT 4 only!!!!
 > 
 > I would suggest the system be drained and refilled, and the brakes
bled,
 > then the tank again refilled. It if hasn't been done all the way
around
 > on every wheel in a long time, it needs doing anyway. I did mine
after
 > several years and there was more dirt, water and crap in the fluid
than
 > I really like to talk about. My BAD for not taking better care of my
 > machine. Correcting this DOT 3 mistake is a good time to take care of
 > the entire system.
 > 
 > Since the brake fluid tank also serves as the clutch fluid tank,
there
 > may be clutch cylinder issues involved also as the result of putting
in
 > the wrong brake fluid. I don't know that there are, but it's possible
 > that if you so some more research you may find it so. And if you are
 > replacing any brake or clutch system parts, you certainly want to get
 > this right.
 > 
 > If you have a receipt that shows that the DOT 3 was put in, the you
can
 > hold their feet to the fire to get it corrected at their expense,
 > materials and labor.
 > 
 > Regards,
 > 
 > John Rodgers
 > 88 GL Driver
 > 
 > Bill H. wrote:
 > 
 > >Was having a mechanic take a look at my brake master cylinder/clutch
master
 > >cylinder area for a leak I'm having (couldn't find it myself). He
found a
 > >slow leak in the clutch master, topped of the system with Dot 3 and
bleed out
 > >the lines to keep me going until the new part shows up. My question
is with
 > >the brake/clutch fluid. I think the system may have had Dot 4 in the
lines
 > >and although the books say Dot 3 or 4 would be ok, it doesn't say
anything
 > >about mixing them. Would adding Dot 3 on top of what may be Dot4 be
a
 > >problem? Thanks in advance.
 > >
 > >Bill H.
 > >88 Silver GL
 > >Pittsburgh
 > >
 > >
 > >
 > >
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 > >