Brake fluid (for Landcruisers etc)
Submitted: Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 01:16
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Charles Jenkinson
Hi to the wonderful members of this
forum.
I am going to be bleeding my brakes in the next couple of days in my faithful '91 Landcruiser 80 series GXL (no ABS) HDJ80R running the 1HD-T motor.
Searching through these forums showed a thread (16763) from 2004 where a member stated that DOT 4 brake fluid could not be used in 100 series Landcruisers because the seals are not compatible, and you risk damaging your master cylinder.
This point was not agreed upon in the
forum, and searching the web has not been fruitful for me in this respect. I have purchased Castrol Super DOT 4, which I believe is similar composition to DOT 3, but has better specifications. The literature from Toyota (in many forms) specifies SAE J1703 or FMVSS NO. 116 DOT 3 for my braking system, however my reading suggests that DOT 4 was not as readily available (to the point of superceding DOT 3 in most applications) in 1991, let alone in later model Landcruisers/other 4WDs for that matter.
Has anyone ran DOT 4 brake fluid in either an 80 or 100 Series Landcruiser? Any problems?
I can't think of a logical reason why DOT 4 would be a problem, given it has better performance characteristics, and is not silicone based (like DOT 5), but thought I would defer to your collective wisdom first.
Might be a good article topic, perhaps? I couldn't find an article on brake servicing...
Many thanks,
Charles
_______________________________
Charles Jenkinson
Perth, Western Australia
Gracie "The
Grey Ghost"
1991 Toyota Landcruiser GXL (HDJ80R)
4.2L 1HD-T Turbo Diesel
358,864 km and counting!
Reply By: Member - Allan F (Gold Coast) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 06:33
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 06:33
Hi Charles, If Dot 3 is specified then it is best to use Dot 3. Dot 4 is not a better or updated brake fluid it, it has different additives to be used in the systems it was designed for.
I am a mechanic with 37 years experience and have discussed with with oil company people and yes the different fluids are compatible with different brake system components.
Hope this helps cheers Allan
AnswerID:
422055
Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 06:54
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 06:54
G'day Charles. I too am a mechanic with similar years in the industry. I use Penerite Dot 4 in all Toyotas but only because Penrite garrantee their product is compatable with the Toyota brake systems. If Castrol will give you the same garrantee then all will be OK but I would seek their assurance first. Regards,Bob.
AnswerID:
422056
Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 07:49
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 07:49
My Toyota Manual says Dot 3
AnswerID:
422063
Reply By: Member - Leigh (Vic) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 08:56
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 08:56
I reckon a quick call to the local toyota dealer should give you confirmation. The consequences of a wrong choice I believe could be risky and even costly (if you survive the subsequent brake failure). Cheers
AnswerID:
422071
Follow Up By: Peter Horne [Krakka] - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 17:31
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 17:31
You serious? I wouldn,t ask my local Toyota dealer for the time of day cos they would stuff that up as
well, honestly.
FollowupID:
692487
Reply By: Glenndini - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 12:31
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 12:31
If it says use DOT3, you can readily obtain DOT 3, there is no benefit from using anything other than DOT 3 and you risk having a brake failure if you don't use DOT 3, why would you choose not to use DOT 3?
Do you put unleaded in your 1HDT?
AnswerID:
422085
Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 13:23
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 13:23
The seals can swell if you use DOT 4. Doesn't happen immediately, so people don't associate the problem with a fluid change.
I buy
mine from Toyota - only costs me $10 a bottle - very cheap insurance.
Have you read this article?
AnswerID:
422095
Follow Up By: Member - Leigh (Vic) - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 19:20
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 19:20
Yep I'm with you Phil. Buy the supplies from the local yota
shop, line up the three toyotas and do them once a year in summer. Just so easy and no conflict about what to buy. Cheers Leigh
FollowupID:
692494
Follow Up By: Charles Jenkinson - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 23:14
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 23:14
Thanks Phil G, this is exactly the reason why I asked the question. That informative article provided the "official" reference to the topic in the thread I referred to.
Really appreciate it!
Charles
_______________________________
Charles Jenkinson
Perth, Western Australia
Gracie "The
Grey Ghost"
1991 Toyota Landcruiser GXL (HDJ80R)
4.2L 1HD-T Turbo Diesel
358,864 km and counting!
FollowupID:
692519
Reply By: Peter Horne [Krakka] - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 17:32
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 17:32
Yep, I use Dot 3 too, as Phil said, it is easy to buy and you have the correct fluid.
AnswerID:
422112
Reply By: mechpete - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 22:27
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 22:27
why don,t you ring the toyota dealership .or the owners handbook
don,t you think they would know
mechpete
AnswerID:
422144
Reply By: Charles Jenkinson - Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 23:24
Friday, Jun 25, 2010 at 23:24
Thanks everyone for your replies. I was at the Toyota dealer purchasing oil filter/fuel filter etc today, so picked up some factory genuine DOT 3 at the same time. Will see if the DOT 4 is useful for one of the other vehicles lying around here, or just take it back for a refund.
I rang Castrol, who advised me to use a different product for my Toyota (apparently all Toyotas including sedans use DOT 3 - even current release).
I'm with several members here - I do not trust what the salesperson at Toyota says on face value alone. There is a lot to be said from choosing your solutions from the collective opinions of a group with considerable background and experience.
With these issues, I think that discussion and debate is worthwhile - the manual for the 1HD-T was written two whole decades ago. Many of the specifications/recommendations may have been superceded with better products - ie: asbestos brake pads for one example. Never hurts to
check what other people are doing!
Just re-packing wheel bearings today - probably a little overdue. The brake fluid will come in handy when I reconnect the brake lines tomorrow! (After a trip to find a 54mm socket or other appropriate tool for tensioning the pressure and lock nuts...)
Once again, I really appreciate your help! It's great that we have such a constructive
forum to sound ideas/questions off.
Charles
_______________________________
Charles Jenkinson
Perth, Western Australia
Gracie "The
Grey Ghost"
1991 Toyota Landcruiser GXL (HDJ80R)
4.2L 1HD-T Turbo Diesel
358,864 km and counting!
AnswerID:
422156
Reply By: Cruiser 2091 - Saturday, Jun 26, 2010 at 08:07
Saturday, Jun 26, 2010 at 08:07
Quoted from Castrol "Castrol Response Dot 4. Reccommended for use in all cars and light comercial vehicles that require a Dot 3 or Dot 4 product and operate under everyday driving conditions. Suitable for both disc and drum brakes, including modern vehicles fitted with ABS"
AnswerID:
422162
Reply By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 26, 2010 at 08:31
Saturday, Jun 26, 2010 at 08:31
Castrol website recommends Dot3
Do a search in their Lube Guide
http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp
VALVOLINE TechTalk PDF
Brake Fluids
If you are working on Toyota’s make sure that
you use the right kind of fluid. Toyota specifies
a DOT 3 brake fluid for use in their brake systems.
Valvoline’s Heavy Duty DOT 3 Brake Fluid is
suitable for use in Toyota’s ABS brake systems
and provides a minimum boiling point of 260°C.
Consider that the standard minimum boiling point
of the Australian/NZ DOT 3 specification is 230°C,
and our Super DOT 3 more than meets the
task. Valvoline Heavy Duty Brake Fluid has
been dyed
Cheers,
John
AnswerID:
422166
Follow Up By: Cruiser 2091 - Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 12:27
Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 12:27
Yes
John I realise that Dot 3 is recommended.
My reply above which is also quoted from the castrol website is simply saying that Castrol Dot 4 can be used wherever Dot 3 or dot 4 is specified.
I think where problems are encountered is when mineral oils are mixed with synthetics. Obviously in the case of castrol Dot 3 and castrol Dot 4 the two are compatible both with each other and with the seals.
Regards Cruiser.
FollowupID:
692621
Follow Up By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 13:52
Sunday, Jun 27, 2010 at 13:52
Cruiser,
I was putting forward my findings not having a go at you personally.
You are better off checking what product they actually state
to use.
You would have noticed I put Valvolines warning to use Dot 3
I use Dot3 in my Toyota's
Cheers,
John
FollowupID:
692632