Better Brake Fluid??

[MrsGUZZZI]

Hi
Does anyone know of a better brake fluid I can put in my 03 F650GS. Last week I rode the Stelvio Pass and boiled my front brake.
It was only serviced the week before and new fluid used.
I spoke to BMW and they only recommend DOT 4. I need something that has a higher boiling point that will work with my brakes.
Cheers

 

[Hustler]

Hi
Does anyone know of a better brake fluid I can put in my 03 F650GS. Last week I rode the Stelvio Pass and boiled my front brake.
It was only serviced the week before and new fluid used.
I spoke to BMW and they only recommend DOT 4. I need something that has a higher boiling point that will work with my brakes.
Cheers

I've done 9,000 miles on my 2002 model and never boiled the brake fluid.
Although in fairness I've never ridden the Stelvio either.
Don't know of alternative fluid to recommend either I'm afraid.
I've also had a look on the Chain Gang http://faq.f650.com/GSFAQs/ and doesn't get a mention there.
Duff batch of fluid ?, brakes on a lot on the Stelvio ?
Sorry, no other suggestions I'm afraid.

 

[Timpo]

Castrol manufacture two higher boiling point fluids in DOT4 specification.
Castrol React Performance DOT4. (265c boiling point) approx £12 per litre.
Castrol React SRF Racing Brake Fluid. (Over 300c boiling point) approx £45 per litre.


How about trying a change in riding technique? And forgive me if I'm telling you how to suck eggs, but use engine braking as well as the front and rear brake, don't coast with the clutch in. The engine braking will take large amounts of energy out of your slowing, energy that would normally be turned in to heat by friction at the brake pads/calipers.

 

[cookie]

sounds to me like the brake fluid had water in it.

 

[Steptoe]

Very very few bikes end up with boiling brake fluid when doing the stelvio.

Did you have the brakes applied all the way down .

 

[JayC]

Very very few bikes end up with boiling brake fluid when doing the stelvio.

Did you have the brakes applied all the way down .

Which means some will and do then.

I have been riding long enough to have a good idea how to ride and when to use brakes over engine braking etc but that didn't stop my front brake fluid boiling on my F650 at the time, also on the Stelvio.

After a 20 minute rest with 19 switchbacks left to negotiate the problem didn't occur again. The bike was two up and loaded with panniers etc. Engine braking and alternative use of the brakes were used as well as combined use when necessary.

 

[DrFarkoff]

If it boiled after it was changed ....??? Maybe the cannister was left open Brake fluid is Hygroscopic and absorbs moisture

If you want a more upgraded fluid then Do NOT use DOT5 this is a silicone based fluid and can lead to seal failure in a system designed for use with DOT4!

You probably need DOT5.1 which will mix with DOT4 but it's better to change the lot to the higher spec stuff

DOT4 and DOT5.1 are both polyethylene glycol based

Spec.........Dry boiling point........Wet boiling point
DOT 4........230 °C (446 °F)........155 °C (311 °F)
DOT 5.1.....270 °C (518 °F)........190 °C (374 °F)

As Steptoe says The single cylinder engine braking should more than cope with the Stelvio

 

[gwigglesworth]

There is also DOT 6 and higher but you might need to sell the bike to afford the fluid!!! Race special stuff... we used to boil DOT5.1 on the karts and race sidecar.. but then it was known for us to be watering down the calliper at the end of a race...

 

[itspilsbury]

I used on my RT with Evo brakes - ATE Super Blue Racing Brake Fluid DOT 4. It is excellent stuff, google it and see if it meets the bill or not????

 

[Steptoe]

Which means some will and do then.

I have been riding long enough to have a good idea how to ride and when to use brakes over engine braking etc but that didn't stop my front brake fluid boiling on my F650 at the time, also on the Stelvio.

After a 20 minute rest with 19 switchbacks left to negotiate the problem didn't occur again. The bike was two up and loaded with panniers etc. Engine braking and alternative use of the brakes were used as well as combined use when necessary.

I find my piss boiled faster than my brake fluid on the stelvio.

 

[JayC]

I find my piss boiled faster than my brake fluid on the stelvio.

Not in the habit of sticking a thermometer up my eye-piece to know the reading of that one.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I don't reckon a higher boiling point fluid will do feck all. Either yours was contaminated or you need to brush up on how you ride

Also, be aware, that generally the higher boiling point fluids are more stable at higher temps at the expense of feel at the lever when braking gently - mind you, that doesn't sound like that should be an issue for you

Andres

 

[qcridgerunner]

Excuse my ignorance, but what happens when the oil starts boiling ? I suspect nothing good but any specifics ?

 

[cookie]

Excuse my ignorance, but what happens when the oil starts boiling ? I suspect nothing good but any specifics ?

the bubbles of air created by the boiling are compressed by the master cylinder, and then the lever comes back to the bars without troubling the pads to grip the disc.

nothing good

 

[Ogmios]

I find my piss boiled faster than my brake fluid on the stelvio.

funny you should say that.
descending the Col Du Tourmalet in them Pyrenees - i boiled me piss.

By pissing on the overheated brake disc that had welded the pads to itself after 'making progress' on the way down.
It was Mrs Ogs idea
She was right though - cured the problem ... for a while.

mind you the aroma was

 

[Blackal]

the bubbles of air created by the boiling are compressed by the master cylinder, and then the lever comes back to the bars without troubling the pads to grip the disc.

nothing good

Boiling of either water or the brake fluid, as it occurs in the calipers - will expand and overflow the reservoir, surely?

However - when the brake lever is pulled - the increased pressure in the brake fluid/water - will condense any vapour, until you are dealing with solid liquid again.

i.e. the increased pressure - raises the boiling point of either fluid.

Al

 

[cookie]

Boiling of either water or the brake fluid, as it occurs in the calipers - will expand and overflow the reservoir, surely?

However - when the brake lever is pulled - the increased pressure in the brake fluid/water - will condense any vapour, until you are dealing with solid liquid again.

i.e. the increased pressure - raises the boiling point of either fluid.

Al

my explanation is as i understand it. i can be very hard on the brakes, i've done loads of passes, 2 up and loaded, at fair speed, and i've never experienced it, but i have seen it happen on a track.

 

[David Nimrod]

I once set fire to the brakes on my old 110 Defender coming down the GrossGlockner

 

[MrsGUZZZI]

Thanks for your answers guys, will probably try the ATE super blue.
When riding the Stelvio we rode it had and fast, 2 other bikes in my group of 7 boiled their fluid as well