Chas

I'm a bit low on my brake and coolant fluid. Problem is I have no idea what kind(brand) fluid each is. I have heard some unreliable sources say that I have to make sure I use the same brand/kind/flavor of fluid as what is already in there.

Is this true? Can I top off my brake and coolant fluids with whatever? I know to use phosphate free fluids...are there any other things I need to make sure of?


The brake fluid is right between the low and high mark on the res., and the coolant is just about the same (I'm supposed to observe the level on a hot engine, correct?).

Chas

Hey ya'll, I'm gonna try and get to the auto store sometime this morning, so any insight would be most appreciated...

PrerYDoG

Since no one is answering, I'll throw some stuff out. The coolant needs to be Phosphate Free coolant (make sure of that). If you don't know the type of coolant in the car, maybe it's time you flushed it all out and put in Phosphate Free coolant.

As for the brake fluid, you could A: Look at this as a great time to replace all of your fluid, or B: Do what I do, and put any brand fluid you want to in there. DOT 3 Brake fluid I believe is what is recommended (check the manual or on the cap, I'm at work), but I've NEVER heard of not mixing brands of fluid, I can't see why this would be a problem.

Alan C.

The DOT 3 and 4 brake fluids are supposed to be compatible. I'll assume you don't have a silicone based fluid in your car. If you only street drive the car Castrol would be fine. Ford makes a good choice in their heavy duty truck fluid. Best bet would be to buy what you need based on your use and flush the system if you haven't done that lately.

For antifreeze you need one compatible with aluminum, phosphate free.

Lots of choices

Alan

Chas

How much money/time is involved in flushing both the cooling and brake fluids. I am familiar with the two person brake bleeding proceedure of remove bleeder cap - push brake - replace cap - release brade for each wheel (brake). Will I need to lift the car to drain everying?

My bible of records is 250 miles away from me right now, otherwise I could look(remember) the last time the fluids were flushed. The PO was meticulous about maintnance, so I don't think it's been forever since they've been flushed. Plus I was planning on doing all belts, fluids, and hoses in the spring, so can I just top off for now?

PrerYDoG

And, I just realized you're from Blacksburg, I used to go to VA Tech, live a little north of you now, you in College there or a townie?

PrerYDoG

If you'll be doing it all in the spring, and you don't think it's been long since the last time it happened (I believe every two years is standard), then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I know people who NEVER change the stuff out, so you'll be ahead of them.

Mike Buck

Chas,
Why are you losing coolant in the middle of winter? Have you checked the oil fill neck for wetness? Hopefully you don't have a "milkshake" syndrome my turbo has now --> stupid headgasket. I'll be back in Bburg for my friends graduation this weekend, will you be around?



mike
VT '02

Chas

HAHAHAHAHA, a blacksburg townie with a 951? <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

(Uhhh, no offense if you are a townie from blacksburg with a 951 )

I'm a fourth year engineering student Prerydog

Mike, the level of coolant has not gone down any in the 6,500 miles that I've owned it. It just has always been a little closer to the low level than I like to see. No milkshake or other evidence of oil/coolant mixing.

...don't know if I'll be in town for grad weekend. I am home now, and don't know if I'll go back for graduation.

Tadi

[quote]Originally posted by Mike Buck:
<strong>Chas,
Why are you losing coolant in the middle of winter? Have you checked the oil fill neck for wetness? Hopefully you don't have a "milkshake" syndrome my turbo has now --&gt; stupid headgasket. I'll be back in Bburg for my friends graduation this weekend, will you be around?



mike
VT '02</strong><hr></blockquote>

Damn! I'll be in Richmond this weekend, too bad. The three of us need to organize some cruising this spring I think. It's funny, when I drove the Explorer all the time the winter never bothered me, but now I can't wait till spring

PrerYDoG

Their are some townies with 951's. 4th year Engineering Student, sounds like you're on the 5 or 6 year plan! I was an engineering student there (97-98) before leaving for James Madison University, which was a little closer to home (Harrisonburg) and a HELL OF A LOT EASIER

We should hook up though. I'm still finishing up JMU, but every now and then I get a free moment between work and school and engaged life

Tadi

[quote]Originally posted by PrerYDoG:
<strong>
We should hook up though. I'm still finishing up JMU, but every now and then I get a free moment between work and school and engaged life</strong><hr></blockquote>

Man, you too Mark! We should get a little meet going. I know there are some guys in Richmond, a few guys in NoVa and some in NC we could get together. There are at least 3 guys in town here with 944s of some variety (2 turbos and an N/A i think, the guy with the N/A lives in my building and one of the other turbos is Chas). Would be fun to hit the parkway or something this spring.

PrerYDoG

Mmmm..the parkway. Nothing like doing about 110 on the parkway headed south from Winchester to Roanoke on a crisp fall afternoon with the top out, windows down and the sun high in the sky. I swear, it's better than sex. Oh yeah, much better

Mike Buck

mark,
Are you a member of the madison motorsports club?
Chas, Tadi and I are all part of the car club down at Tech. We have our own car shows and I understand MMC does too, but AFAIK we don't go to each others. Its something that we should look into for the spring

mike
4 yr engineering grad

PrerYDoG

No, not in the madison car club. I thought about it, but from the information they sent out, it seemed a little..umm...possibly ricey. Besides, with my 50+ hour work schedule, and being a full time student, and trying to be the good boyfriend/fiance, structured clubs and events aren't my thing right now!