Kelgate brake fluid

Gerry MacNutt · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:11 am Post subject: Kelgate brake fluid

So it's time for new brake fluid my understanding is Kelgate brakes want silicone Dot 5 fluid, if that is correct what would be the best brand?

Second from the Wilwood site: " Wilwood does not recommend using DOT 5 fluid in any racing applications".

???????????

Sam Moss · Joined: 28 Aug 2012 Posts: 16

I use normal DOT 5 fluid in my Kelgate brakes. Kelgate do their own silicone fluid that is purple colour but I've found no difference between that and the racing DOT 5 fluid. DOT 5 also has a higher boiling point than DOT 4.

I think its Millers we use.. Been running it for over 6 years now with no problems. Replacing every 5/6 meetings of course.

Tim Doll · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject:

There is considerable debate regarding DOT 4 Glycol and DOT 5 Silicon fluid for racing applications. But the most critical aspect is, YOU CAN'T MIX THEM.

If it's got Silicon fluid in there now, you can't switch to Glycol unless you do a complete system rebuild and replace all the seals (making sure the seals are compatible with the fluid you are going to use). If you're unsure what's currently in there, remove a couple drops of fluid and add them to a spoonfull of water. If it readily mixes - it's Glycol based. If it stays separate (think oil and water), it's Silicon.

Tim
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Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 12:13 pm Post subject:

Silicone doesn't have the lubricity that Glycol based does, and the new DOT4 fluids boil as high or some even higher than DOT5's.

But seal compatibility is the main reason to stay with whatever the manufacturer suggests.... All the Brembo stuff we run use DOT4, I use Castrol LMA fluid, boils at 500+.

CR
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Greg Cavouras · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 2:12 pm Post subject:

I have had good luck with Bel Ray dot 5 fluid in my Kelgate system. Works well and widely available.

Gerry MacNutt · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 7:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks, for the replies, I've never used dot 5 before so I'll have to test it and see if it is indeed dot 5

are all the seal available to covert to dot 4 for kelgate brakes?

Matthew Walker · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 67

Spectro do a good Dot 5 Silicon fluid - most Harley's use Silicon as it doesn't harm the paint like traditional fluid does Smile

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Jeff Salak · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

Some Kelgate Dot 5 brake fluid for sale on ebay. Here is the link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kelgate-OTK-Tony-Kart-DOT-5-Silicone-Brake-Fluid-2-pcs-24-oz-Total-/280953321816?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D3633542990662713864%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D160701407875%26

John Michael Dillon · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 62

I've used DOT 5 in my shifter karts for years. I use it in the 250 with Kelgates. The main reason I like dot 5 over 4 is with the style of brakes used on most karts, including 250's there are no dust seals on the calipers to keep moisture out, like when in the rain. Dot 4 absorbs that moisture much quicker. Also helps keep the aluminum calipers from corriding. Just my opinion

Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject:

John Michael Dillon · Joined: 26 Nov 2011 Posts: 62

Very good points Chris. Thank you. I guess I've been miss lead all these years by Kart manufactures. I know in the automotive world dot 5 is a no no. I should have taken that reasoning and applied it to the kart world. Next time I go through my brakes I think I'll change.

Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:50 am Post subject:

It's funny, I went through all this when I was putting the whole Cobalt kart together. I looked at the Brembo calipers, which were DOT4, and the MCP masters which could be either. I took a closer look at everything, and I thought just like you, DOT5 is for racing, it's the stuff! I even have 6 bottles of Maxima DOT5 left over from my Anderson. The more I looked into it, the less positive things I read about DOT5.

If the system is compatible with DOT4, a good DOT4 is the way to go in my opinion.

But be careful, if they are not EP seals, the system may not be compatible with a DOT4, and when switching, you need replace all the seals and completely flush the whole system.

Good luck....

CR
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East Coast Super Kart Series
"This is how we roll!"
www.eastcoastsuperkart.webs.com

CR2 Motorsports
"Home of Cobalt Superkarts"
www.CR2MotorSports.webs.com