Brake fluid

[3wheels3]

yep but your AP calliper seals dont:whistle:

How do you know this? I've heard others say it does but when asked they just say they heard it. I would like a definitive answer as am planning on using it.

Performance Friction clearly disagree with the statement.

...to maintain excellent vapour lock and corrosion protection, we strongly recommend that Castrol SRF be drained and refilled every eighteen months...

http://www.performancefrictionbrakes.com.au/techtips.php?pageId=47

Race Proven: Widely used in racing, from Formula One World sports cars to Group A and 500cc Grand Prix motorcycles;
High Boiling Point: The exceptionally high dry boiling point (higher than 300°C) makes Castrol SRF ideal for use under arduous braking conditions such as rallying or racing. Castrol SRF exceeds the boiling point requirements of DOT 5 brake fluids;
High Vapour Lock Point: Castrol SRF has a very high vapour lock point (the more important measure of high temperatures performance under actual braking conditions) and has the additional advantage of sustaining high vapour lock point characteristics during its service life;
Compressibility: The compressibility of Castrol SRF is very similar to that of current DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. It can therefore be filled into any braking system used in motorsport with the exception of those for which a mineral oil is prescribed;
Miscibility: Castrol SRF is miscible with all conventional fluids meeting the US Federal Standards FMVSS 116 DOT 3 and DOT 4, ISO 4925 and current SAE J1703. The miscibility of Castrol SRF with conventional brake fluids means changing the brake system to Castrol SRF is easy. Drain and flush out the conventional brake fluid with Castrol SRF then top up the system with Castrol SRF. Although Castrol SRF is miscible with conventional brake fluids, topping up Castrol SRF with conventional brake fluids will reduce the benefits of the product;
Compatibility: Castrol SRF is compatible with seal rubber and metal materials used in braking systems using conventional polyglycol brake fluids;
Bleeding: Castrol SRF is easy to bleed like conventional brake fluids.

[shimmy]

Pete Collen at AP told me and they have itvon their website as posted above. It says do not use Silcon based with A. Are you waitimg for a memo from the queen or something??


P

How do you know this? I've heard others say it does but when asked they just say they heard it. I would like a definitive answer as am planning on using it.

Performance Friction clearly disagree with the statement.

...to maintain excellent vapour lock and corrosion protection, we strongly recommend that Castrol SRF be drained and refilled every eighteen months...

http://www.performancefrictionbrakes.com.au/techtips.php?pageId=47

Race Proven: Widely used in racing, from Formula One World sports cars to Group A and 500cc Grand Prix motorcycles;
High Boiling Point: The exceptionally high dry boiling point (higher than 300°C) makes Castrol SRF ideal for use under arduous braking conditions such as rallying or racing. Castrol SRF exceeds the boiling point requirements of DOT 5 brake fluids;
High Vapour Lock Point: Castrol SRF has a very high vapour lock point (the more important measure of high temperatures performance under actual braking conditions) and has the additional advantage of sustaining high vapour lock point characteristics during its service life;
Compressibility: The compressibility of Castrol SRF is very similar to that of current DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids. It can therefore be filled into any braking system used in motorsport with the exception of those for which a mineral oil is prescribed;
Miscibility: Castrol SRF is miscible with all conventional fluids meeting the US Federal Standards FMVSS 116 DOT 3 and DOT 4, ISO 4925 and current SAE J1703. The miscibility of Castrol SRF with conventional brake fluids means changing the brake system to Castrol SRF is easy. Drain and flush out the conventional brake fluid with Castrol SRF then top up the system with Castrol SRF. Although Castrol SRF is miscible with conventional brake fluids, topping up Castrol SRF with conventional brake fluids will reduce the benefits of the product;
Compatibility: Castrol SRF is compatible with seal rubber and metal materials used in braking systems using conventional polyglycol brake fluids;
Bleeding: Castrol SRF is easy to bleed like conventional brake fluids.

[mattCSLnut]

Hi,

I expect if you did a Brake test between Std CSL Brakes
and a 355mm BBK Kit then then the stopping distance
between the two would be very similar.

If you then continually repeated the Brake test, over a
period the BBK would still repeat its stopping distances
more or less, whereas the Std Brakes would start to fade somewhat.

Meaning if you are a 'Light' user of the Brakes, which
usually equates to a fast driver then for light Track use,
good Pads, S/S Hoses and some ATF Blue will be
fine.

If on the other hand you ride the Brakes hard, then the
Std Brakes, even with upgrades will be showing signs
of fade in two or three laps of any Track with spirited driving.

On the question of Brake Fluid, for Track Days, ATE Blue
is as good as it gets for the money.

Reason being, that if you require the extra 60 + degrees
dry and 100 odd + degrees in the wet that
Castrol SRF offers, then there is either something wrong
with your Brakes or your Driving.

Regards,

The Gorilla.

You're good value as always Gorilla :thumbs: Makes perfect sense to me :beer:

[DuncanR]

You're good value as always Gorilla :thumbs: Makes perfect sense to me :beer:

+ 1 ... but the question still remains ....do I use my brakes ?






























or my bollocks ? !!!!:hahaha:

[mattCSLnut]

+ 1 ... but the question still remains ....do I use my brakes ?



or my bollocks ? !!!!:hahaha:

Bollox first, then if U absolutely, positively, necessarily have to... brakes :hahaha:

[3wheels3]

Pete Collen at AP told me and they have itvon their website as posted above. It says do not use Silcon based with A. Are you waitimg for a memo from the queen or something??


P

That'll do for me, thanks.

[TANKSLAPPER]

+ 1 ... but the question still remains ....do I use my brakes ?

or my bollocks ? !!!!:hahaha:

You mite as well carry on using your bollocks Duncan. while they still work! :hahaha:

[alexk]

instanf feedback from AP Racing

As suggested by Shimmy, I dropped an email to Mr. Pete Collen

alexk >

Dear Mr Collen,

I have a set of AP racing brakes (front and rear) for my BMW M3 CSL.
I would like to ask whether it is ok to use Castrol SRF brake fluid.
I heard from a friend that there is a problem with the seals and this brake fluid.


Can you please advise ?


Pete Collen >

Dear Sir

We have had similar reports back from the market that SRF can be aggressive to APR hydraulic seals. It should be compatible but if in doubt use APR fluid.

http://www.apracing.com/info/index.a...rake+Fluid_978

AP Racing Distributors are also listed.

Regards

Peter Collen

[_Nathan_]

Shimmey - SRF is DOT 4 not DOT 5, whilst it is based on a silicone ester it isn't in the class of DOT5 classified silicone fluids which is what I believe that note to refer to and indeed, it can be mixed with 5.1 fluid with no issues. No idea on issues with calliper seals though, I've used it on several cars in the past, one of which was running APs all round and no issues on that front.

I am of the school of thought that a decent fluid changed regularly is better than the ultimate fluid left in for 18 months so use the AP PFR660 DOT 4 stuff or similar.

[M5 Powered]

I spoke with Alcon technical HQ today.

They said Castrol SRF is fine to use on any of their callipers, and indeed on any competitors that they know of. They have never heard or seen seal failure owing to SRF brake fluid.

They were professional enough not to say it outright, but I personally suspect 'seal damage' is more about niche players protecting their own brake fluid sales, especially when you need 1.5 litres of the stuff for a CSL.

Alex, I'd stick with your bargain SRF if I were you mate :-) Just make sure you flush the old stuff through properly.

Best

Jonathan

[shimmy]

Shimmey - SRF is DOT 4 not DOT 5, whilst it is based on a silicone ester it isn't in the class of DOT5 classified silicone fluids which is what I believe that note to refer to and indeed, it can be mixed with 5.1 fluid with no issues. No idea on issues with calliper seals though, I've used it on several cars in the past, one of which was running APs all round and no issues on that front.

I am of the school of thought that a decent fluid changed regularly is better than the ultimate fluid left in for 18 months so use the AP PFR660 DOT 4 stuff or similar.

:thumbs:


tbh i hardly use my brakes so it is all a little irrelevant to me! :whistle:

[alexk]

:thumbs:


tbh i hardly use my brakes so it is all a little irrelevant to me! :whistle:

Sh1t, fuchsrohre is BACK !!!

[glendog74]

Fooking Hobbyist drivers - the lot of you! :clown:

[Bounce]

Fooking Hobbyist drivers - the lot of you! :clown:

Thats me.

[3wheels3]

Think I'll probably go the ap600/660 type stuff. Although more expensive £10 or £20 more is insignificant in terms of expense of trackdays or even to get fluid change.

Further to the SRF debate. Castrol's own info spec sheet states unequivocally on page two:

Compatibility: Castrol SRF is compatible with seal rubber and
metal materials used in brake systems using conventional
polyglycol brake fluids.

If seals were to go because of SRF and something bad happened, would they be in trouble legally even if the Queen had sent me a memo?

http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_australia/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/s/SRF_B768.pdf