brake fluid colorant | FerrariChat

brake fluid colorant

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by bill brooks, Nov 27, 2017.

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  1. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran
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    #1 bill brooks, Nov 27, 2017
    does anyone know of a hydraulic "colorant" that can be added to Dot 4 brake fluid? the blue fluid formerly offered here in the states by ATE was very useful in contrasting the typical yellow stuff now mandated by your government.
    alternately is the blue ATE fluid being "imported" by any unpatriotic soul to the states.
     
    Schatten and vinuneuro like this.
  2. JCR

    JCR F1 World Champ
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    #2 JCR, Nov 27, 2017
    Can you get it via Canada?
     
  3. FastLapp

    FastLapp F1 Rookie

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    #3 FastLapp, Nov 28, 2017
    I looked into this, but couldn't find anything I felt comfortable doing without risk of damaging brakes or lowering boiling points. Please post back if you find anything.

    Government run amok - what is the reasoning to ban the blue stuff in the first place?!
     
  4. bill brooks

    bill brooks F1 Veteran
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    #4 bill brooks, Nov 28, 2017
     
  5. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 willrace, Nov 28, 2017
    Supposedly, a fear that children searching for a tasty green, orange, or red anti-freeze beverage in the garage might drink ATE Super Blue by mistake...... or something equally as absurd.
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 Rifledriver, Nov 28, 2017

    Not at all. By federal law brake fluids are color coded to prevent mixing incompatible fluids. Silicone is blue. ATE was violating a good federal law so that people who don't know how to change fluid could accomplish the task.

    ATE is not all that great a product anyway.
     
  7. willrace

    willrace Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 willrace, Nov 28, 2017
    Wasn't aware of that color designation! I haven't seen silicone fluid in decades.
    It was convenient, though, even for those of us who have changed fluid many times.
     
  8. FastLapp

    FastLapp F1 Rookie

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    #8 FastLapp, Nov 28, 2017
    That's the reasoning the government provided (see official notice below). But the regulations still don't make any sense. I think all 5 DOT's are available in clear or amber color, so there's already overlap.

    Sorry to the OP for getting off-topic. Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  9. FastLapp

    FastLapp F1 Rookie

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    #9 FastLapp, Nov 28, 2017
    Actually, according to Standard No. 116 - Motor Vehicle Brake Fluids, S5.1.14, here are the fluid colors allowed by the government:

    S5.1.14 Fluid color. Brake fluid and hydraulic system mineral oil shall be of the color indicated:

    DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5.1 non-SBBF - colorless to amber.
    DOT 5 SBBF - purple.
    Hydraulic system mineral oil - green.
     
  10. GTS Bruce

    GTS Bruce Pisses in your Cheerios

    Oct 10, 2012
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    #10 GTS Bruce, Dec 4, 2017
    You may still be able to get ATE Blue that is Blue by ordering from europe. I have switched back and forth Blue/Amber but can't remember off hand where I got the Blue from. Last two changes were amber because I had it on hand. Bruce
     
  11. bisel

    bisel Formula 3
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    #11 bisel, Dec 5, 2017
    Just my two cents worth on this ...

    When I change my brake fluid I notice that the old fluid tends to be cloudy. As the new fluid begins to flow out the bleeding nipples, it is clear. I never had a problem distinguishing between the old and new fluid.

    Steve
     

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