Is it OK to use "Synthetic DOT 3" brake fluid in a 94 Ranger

[barrys]

I have 1994 Ranger which wants DOT 3 brake fluid. I went to the parts store today and all they had was the house brand (O' Reilley) and Prestone DOT 3 which had "Synthetic" written all over the bottle.

Seems like brake fluid is hydraulic fluid which is oil after all. So, maybe synthetic's supposed to be better just like for motor oil. It was not expensive at all.

I'm guessing DOT 3 is DOT 3, but I thought to post and ask the experts.

 

[mjonesjr]

You don't want to mix synthetic and regular oils period.

Get the house O'Reilly brand. That is all I ever use.

 

[barrys]

OK, sold... I never really heat those puppies up.
I've always questioned the "synthetic blend" oil concept. But, never really knew more than to just question it.
Thanks for he quick reply.

By the way... How often -- if ever -- do you flush brake fluid? I think mines original and my service place said not to worry about it -- says they basically never have to replace master cylinders and they're an outstanding -- Ford only -- indy shop. But, I think I want to flush anyway since I looked at it this weekend and it looked like mud in there.

Nice Bronco. I need to avatar my little truckster. She is a cutie...

 

[mjonesjr]

I would flush it out every couple of years.

 

[barrys]

I am now the proud owner of two quarts of O'Reilley's finest.
I'm guessing that should be enough for a good flush. There's nothing in any of the manuals I have listing how much fluid is required for a flush.

 

[JohnPi]

The required quantity is "As much as it takes."

 

[barrys]

I was able to get all the bleeders running very clear and rebled the rears with less than a quart. Took about 30 minutes with the power bleeder.

 

[fixizin]

Please ed-u-kate me... what's a "power bleeder", and where can I get one?

I think my factory 10-year-old brake fluid probably needs a break...

 

[fastpakr]

You don't want to mix synthetic and regular oils period.

Get the house O'Reilly brand. That is all I ever use.

You can mix Dot3 and Dot4 fluids together all day long, regardless of synthetic or conventional. The only thing you can't do is throw Dot5 silicon fluid into the mix.

 

[barrys]

> Please ed-u-kate me...
My pleasure since I was thrilled with the Motive Power Bleeder I heard about on a VW forum and used on the Ranger...

A power bleeder pushes fluid into the system through the resevior under pressure. This is different from the handheld vacuum pump method which pulls fluid from each bleed valve. These seem to be standard equipment at most shops.

When you use pressure bleeder while you're bleeding the brakes, you don't need to worry about getting air into the lines as you open and close the bleed valves since the bleeder forces the fluid out whenever the valves are open so no air can get back in. And, you don't need some helper pumping the damn brake pedal while you scream "open" and "closed" at them. With the power bleeder, it's a one person job.

The added benefit is if you have ABS or RABS (Rear ABS) which many of our trucks have. The power bleeder eliminates the need to pull the brake lines at the master cylinder and the need to use the fancy, expensive Ford service tool to run the ABS pump during the bleed procedure. This is all in the Helm factory service manual (which is freakin awesome). The procedure without a push style power bleeder is pages long and painful. The procedure with the power bleeder is almost effortless.

What they do in this instruction vid is exactly what I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0h5bMoW-aw
I didn't have to jack the car or pull any wheels. The bleed order is "furthest from master cylinder to closest, or RR, LR, RF, LF. The whole thing took a little over a half hour with cleanup -- the bleeder company recommends pumping denatured alchohol through the bleeder when you're done.

I got mine direct from:
http://www.motiveproducts.com
It's basically a really nice bug sprayer with a pressure guage and an adapter on the end of the output hose that replaces the cap on your resevoir.
There are two different resevoir cap adapters for Ford so you need to email or call to find out which one you need. Mine was the "three prong." Just remove your resevior cap and see how many tabs there are inside the rim of the cap.

Their customer service is great. The owner picked up my call and gave me tons of info.
I got the catch bottles too. You don't really need those and making your own is easy. But, having those sure did make it a clean job.

You might find it a little cheaper on ebay or other sites. But I liked the company so I bought direct and their shipping costs were fair.

 

[fixizin]

Barry, much grass for the detailed response! That tool is neater than my fancy ratcheting cabled hose-clamp pliers!

But, given how seldom I do brakes, and having 2 gearhead brothers in the area, I'll probably end up doing it "old school".

... OTOH... who can RESIST a slick new tool... I'd be Mr. Popular with that... lol.

 

[barrys]

I say split it 3 ways at 20.00 per gearhead and then the family will have brake bleeder. Even at about 9.00/hr, it will pay itself off in two brake jobs. You can get different adapters for different vehicles. I have one for the truck and one for my VW.