What clutch fluid can I use? It says girling castrol...

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  • Tasi Autele
    Low Range
    • Oct 2011
    • 47

    What clutch fluid can I use? It says girling castrol...

    The guys at the auto parts store do not have that in stock, nor have they heard of it. Can I use DOT 4?
  • SafeAirOne
    Overdrive
    • Apr 2008
    • 3435

    #2
    Pep Boys stocked Castrol LMA last year, but I didn't see any on the shelf last month. Not sure if they discontinued stocking it, but the computer boy was clueless about what it was here too.
    --Mark

    1973 SIII 109 RHD 2.5NA Diesel

    0-54mph in just under 11.5 minutes
    (9.7 minutes now that she's a 3-door).

    Comment

    • bpj911
      1st Gear
      • May 2009
      • 128

      #3
      fluid

      I just use brake fluid from napa. Only difference between dot 3 and 4 is the boiling point to my knowledge. I don't think castrol lma is anything special nor do i think the land rover requires anything special. Seems like an old wives talke to me.

      Comment

      • TeriAnn
        Overdrive
        • Nov 2006
        • 1087

        #4
        Originally posted by SafeAirOne
        Pep Boys stocked Castrol LMA last year, but I didn't see any on the shelf last month. Not sure if they discontinued stocking it, but the computer boy was clueless about what it was here too.
        NAPA carries Castrol LMA fluid. British Pacific stocks it for LR owners who can not find the fluid locally.
        -

        Teriann Wakeman_________
        Flagstaff, AZ.




        1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978

        My Land Rover web site

        Comment

        • Terrys
          Overdrive
          • May 2007
          • 1382

          #5
          Use any good DOT 3. I wouldn't suggest DOT 4 if you don't know the age or pedigree of the rubber bits in your slave or MC.

          Comment

          • ThorH
            Low Range
            • May 2011
            • 53

            #6
            RN stocks it also.
            1973 SIII RHD 2.25 Petrol
            1992 RRC Hunter

            Comment

            • TeriAnn
              Overdrive
              • Nov 2006
              • 1087

              #7
              Originally posted by bpj911
              I just use brake fluid from napa. Only difference between dot 3 and 4 is the boiling point to my knowledge. I don't think castrol lma is anything special nor do i think the land rover requires anything special. Seems like an old wives talke to me.
              Castrol LMA is specifically called out in the LR manual. LMA stands for Low Moisture Absorption. It is less hydrophilic than other DOT 4 fluids.
              -

              Teriann Wakeman_________
              Flagstaff, AZ.




              1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978

              My Land Rover web site

              Comment

              • SafeAirOne
                Overdrive
                • Apr 2008
                • 3435

                #8
                I think RN is supplying the Land Rover-branded brake juice now (as opposed to Castrol LMA). At least that's what I got the last time I ordered it.
                --Mark

                1973 SIII 109 RHD 2.5NA Diesel

                0-54mph in just under 11.5 minutes
                (9.7 minutes now that she's a 3-door).

                Comment

                • TeriAnn
                  Overdrive
                  • Nov 2006
                  • 1087

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Terrys
                  Use any good DOT 3. I wouldn't suggest DOT 4 if you don't know the age or pedigree of the rubber bits in your slave or MC.
                  The Land Rover factory manual recommends that all brake system rubber seals be replaced every three years or every 40,000 miles whichever is less whether the system is leaking or not.

                  Why not use DOT4? There is no compatibility issue like there is going from conventional brake fluid to DOT5 silicon fluid.

                  Good to know that RN carries Castrol fluid as well since fewer US auto parts stores are carrying it.
                  -

                  Teriann Wakeman_________
                  Flagstaff, AZ.




                  1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978

                  My Land Rover web site

                  Comment

                  • bpj911
                    1st Gear
                    • May 2009
                    • 128

                    #10
                    brake fluid

                    All of them taste the same to me.

                    Comment

                    • Tasi Autele
                      Low Range
                      • Oct 2011
                      • 47

                      #11
                      thanks for the replies

                      Thank you everyone. I think I will grab some DOT 3 since I am just trying to get rolling. I plan on having a rolling restoration so I will replace all the seals within the next year anyway. Thoughts?

                      Comment

                      • Terrys
                        Overdrive
                        • May 2007
                        • 1382

                        #12
                        Originally posted by TeriAnn
                        The Land Rover factory manual recommends that all brake system rubber seals be replaced every three years or every 40,000 miles whichever is less whether the system is leaking or not.
                        I think they stopped using monkey meat for their brake and clutch rubber parts, so that bit can probably be deleted. Seriously, 40K ? What vintage manual is that in? Frankly, I gave up paying attention to LR Manual recommendations about 20 years ago.

                        Originally posted by TeriAnn
                        Why not use DOT4? There is no compatibility issue like there is going from conventional brake fluid to DOT5 silicon fluid.
                        No reason why not, but it's go to know you got my back. I can't keep straight where the silicone came in, 4 or 5, but in anycase, the clutch system isn't exposed to the heat that the brake system is, so 3 is adequate. One time I was WAY off the beaten path, and used 30 weight motor oil in the clutch to get out. Not only did it work fine, but with every other catastrophe I forgot about the oil for about 6 months.

                        Originally posted by TeriAnn
                        Good to know that RN carries Castrol fluid as well since fewer US auto parts stores are carrying it.
                        Many years ago, when I bled Green, and Green & Yellow( Being heavily involved with Lotus "cars") I drank the Castrol koolaid. Today, I'm not so sure I think it matters.
                        There 's no question that conventional brake fluid was hydrophilic. The systems are prone to condensation too. What makes a greater difference to me is whether the new fluids are hydroscopic. Simply attracting water will do the nasties to the metalics in the system (brake or clutch) but if it also reacts to the water, then lots of other issues come into play.
                        Better go out and see if I put oil in my 110 clutch.

                        Comment

                        • cedryck
                          5th Gear
                          • Sep 2010
                          • 836

                          #13
                          interesting reading

                          So why does most LR literature make a big deal out of using only a certain type of fluid?, from what I'm reading people are putting in different types. Which type will not turn black after 2 months? Inquiring minds want to know.

                          Comment

                          • bpj911
                            1st Gear
                            • May 2009
                            • 128

                            #14
                            old

                            These are old trucks with old manuals. A lot has changed. I would put whatever you want in there. Parts wear out and need changing occasionally. Brake parts get changed in regular vehicles all the time. It happens

                            Comment

                            • TedW
                              5th Gear
                              • Feb 2007
                              • 887

                              #15
                              Originally posted by cedryck
                              So why does most LR literature make a big deal out of using only a certain type of fluid?, from what I'm reading people are putting in different types. Which type will not turn black after 2 months? Inquiring minds want to know.
                              It is my understanding that the original hydraulic seals were made of a form of (natural?) rubber that would break down if exposed to anything other than Castrol GTLMA type fluid (DOT 4). Silicone (DOT 5) can also be used, but cannot be mixed with any other fluids.

                              However, it appears (from the experience of people on this forum) that the seals of current manufacture allow the use of other fluids without any ill effects.

                              That said, I stick with Castrol GTLMA because I can: it seems to be easy to get around here.

                              Corrections to my comments on fluids are welcomed.

                              Comment

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