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Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid

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Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#1
trevorwj Avatar
trevorwj Trevor Jessie
Louisville, KY, USA   USA
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I was told that BP is no longer going to sell this brake fluid. Occasionally, I have a customer that insists on using it for seal compatibility.
Is it really going away? If it does what am I supposed to tell them to use?

FWIW, I use dot 3/4 in my own cars and it has always worked fine.

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#2
pbcjr Avatar
pbcjr peter cantamessa
east brunswick, NJ, USA   USA
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1971 MG Midget MkIII
I think seal compatibility is no longer a concern. IIRC, that's from the days when the seals were real rubber, and required a fluid that wouldn't react with rubber.
I've been using any off-the-shelf DOT 4 fluid in my '71 Midget for over 25 years.
Never a problem.


In 1974 when I was 18, I passed on buying a running and driving 1966 E-Type coupe for $1,500, which is what they were selling for at the time.
Fifty years later, I'm still kicking myself...

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#3
trevorwj Avatar
trevorwj Trevor Jessie
Louisville, KY, USA   USA
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I have done the same Peter but some people still adamantly claim that using anything other than castrol lma is a risk.

When the time comes that I can no longer find any I guess they won't have a choice.

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#4
pbcjr Avatar
pbcjr peter cantamessa
east brunswick, NJ, USA   USA
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1971 MG Midget MkIII
Tell those needlessly worried customers to buy up all of the Castrol DOT 4 LMA they can find right now, so they have a supply on hand for many years to come.


In 1974 when I was 18, I passed on buying a running and driving 1966 E-Type coupe for $1,500, which is what they were selling for at the time.
Fifty years later, I'm still kicking myself...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-04-12 04:45 PM by pbcjr.

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#5
refisk Rick Fisk
Frankenmuth, MI, USA   USA
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Castrol LMA hasn't been made for at least 5 years. Your customers that are worried about seal compatability need to read the old manuals - they did not specify Castrol LMA back were seal compatability actually was an issue. The manuals specified "Genuine Lockheed Brake Fluid only". Any Dot 3 or 4 fluid is compatible with Castrol LMA. smiling smiley

In reply to # 4784238 by trevorwj I have done the same Peter but some people still adamantly claim that using anything other than castrol lma is a risk.

When the time comes that I can no longer find any I guess they won't have a choice.

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  AN5sprite thanked refisk for this post
Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#6
bleteaches6 Avatar
bleteaches6 Silver Member Lee Orphan
Bonney Lake, WA, USA   USA
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1956 MG MGA 1500
1974 MG MGB GT
1974 MG MGB GT
1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)    & more
Castrol LMA is no different that regular brake fluid with this exception. They add a chemical to resist moisture absorption

That is what the LMA stands for "low moisture absorption"

And they don't bring into this country any more but you can still get it in the UK

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#7
Dandare Avatar
Dandare Danny H
Sydney, Australia   AUS
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1958 Wolseley 6/90
Castrol fluid has been branded "Response" here in Aussie for many years. A Healey guy from California told me it as the same there (couple of years ago)?

Danny

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Re: Castrol DOT4/LMA brake fluid
#8
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BMC Gold Member Brian Mc Cullough
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA   USA
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1959 Austin A40 Farina
1959 Austin-Healey Bugeye Sprite
1959 Morris Minor 1000 Pickup
1961 Austin-Healey Sprite "Green Sprite"    & more
Back in the 1990's, my Dad was using DOT4. We still hear from shop owners that insist LMA, but we've been running DOT4 in just about everything.

All seals are made of modern materials. Many master cylinders now have a cast in the plastic that says use DOT3. I still use DOT4.

When restoring a Classic at BMC, DOT5 is O-N-L-Y for fully restored cars that may have potential fittings that could leak on the everything is brand-newly painted, and I don't wish to warranty Days of repair to paint damage.

-BMC.


Member Services:
BMC British Automobile www.bmcautos.com
Minnesota's only Fully Dedicated British Classic only shop providing Professional Restoration & Services & Specialty Products including- proper L.E.D. tail lights, Wiring looms and Engine and five speed Conversion Kits
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