<VV> was synthetic oil, now silicone brake fluid

[Bill Elliott]

Moisture can enter the system in lots of ways. First and foremost is in the air suspended in the fluid. 
Silicone fluids carry much more air than glycol fluids, so while the fluid doesn't actually attract moisture 
like glycol does, it already carries more when fresh.

Moisture can also enter through microscopic pores in soft brakes hoses and seals, cracks/leaks in the 
hoses or lines, air that is drwn into the resevoir as the pads or shoes wear, and each time you open the 
master to check the fluid level.

It takes only a very small amount of moisture to pool and displace as steam for the pedal to go to the 
floor.

Hey, if it works for you, great! I'm not trying to change any minds of those that have used it with no 
problems and will likely continue to use it (regardless of what I say) until/if it fails on them.   I'm simply 
trying to give information to those considering it and only getting one side of the story.

There is absolutely no reason to wear a seat belt either... until it's needed. Lots of folks drive around 
their entire life without a seat belt and live to tell the story. Other, like me, see the results of a single 
accident without a seat belt and make the decision to always wear one. Even though it's a bit more 
trouble (just like regularly flushing brake systems are) I like the extra measure of safety it provides.

Bill Elliott

>Corvair at fnader.com writes:
>Even the high boiling points don't work in practice as the water that 
>invaribly does get into the system pools in the wheel cylinders and boils much 
>quicker than the water-laden glycol based fluids.

>Bill & all,
>I'd like to know how all of this water is getting into the brake systems out 
>there.  My brake systems are closed systems sealed off from the atmosphere.  
>If you don't let the master cylinder cover off or check the fluid level in the 
>rain, water should not be getting in.  Even driving through water is sealed 
>out of the wheel cylinders by the piston seals and a positive pressure that is 
>always on them.

>Ed Corson (CORSA & Amsoil cult member)
>Inland Empire Corvair Club