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MG MGB Technical - Identifying brake fluid

Hi all,
Is there a way to (easily) identify what variety of brake fluid/clutch fluid has been used? e.g is dot4 a different colour from dot5. I have no idea what my PO may have used and may need to top up the levels. In the same area what should the level be? I cant see any marks on either the clutch or brake cylinders.
TIA
B Anderson

Take out a small amount of the fluid and try to mix it with water. DOT5 will not mix, all others will.
R.S. Ralph Siebenhaar

I use DOT 5 in my B and I've seen the purple dye fade out to a straw yellow that looks just like fresh Castrol LMA. Appearance is not a guide.

I'd say take some fluid out of your reservoir and put it in an jar with some know fluid (either DOT 5 or DOT 3/4/5.1). See if they mix. Mind you, I've never tried this, but everyone says that they are incompatible and won't mix. IF that's true, you should be able to use that fact to identify which class of fluid you have (either silicone or non-silicone).

EDIT: Looks like Ralph and I posted at the same time!
Rob Edwards

Level should be about 1/4" below the bottom of the neck, any lower and it gets difficult to see without a mirror although it can get a couple of inches below that before causing problems. Any higher and it can expand and overflow when it gets hot.
PaulH Solihull

This thread was discussed between 18/12/2011 and 19/12/2011

MG MGB Technical index

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