[W126 Coupe] Maintenance question-Now Brake Fluid Dot #

[Dean Slone]

Hi Dick, 

Thanks for the come back ... the car is a 1981 Euro 500 SEC Federalized into California USA in 1984.  

When you said early cars were DOT 3 I went and got the part number off the reservoir.  Part No.: 3.3508 8073.1 ??????

Interesting that it has Mercedes markings on the reservoir body (with MIN and MAX markings) and the cap is printed in English and German:
"USE DOT 4 FROM ..." and the normal wipe of the cap statement but on the inner circle of the cap is 
"NOT ORIGINAL BREMSUISSIGKEIT VERWENDENT" whatever that means?

The cap may be genuine and original.  
The car has a shipment date of  02.12.1981(dd.mm.yyyy) and is one of the first 500 built.  Many parts have weird numbers and or non existant numbers.  

I was just curious if I should be using DOT 3 or DOT 4.  I think they are interchangeable (unless the heat factor matters).  I recently got the car and will have to replace rotors and pads soon.

Dean

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dick Spellman 
  To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists 
  Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:06 PM
  Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Maintenance question-Now Brake Fluid Dot #


  Dean,

  If the cap says DOT 4 replenish with same.  It's non-synthetic and should be fine.  Early models have DOT 3 on the cap.
  For reference purposes and for the benefit of others, what is the model year/make with DOT 4 cap?

  Regards,
  Dick

  Dean Slone wrote: 
    The cap on my brake reservoir says to use DOT 4.   

    Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DOT_4  seems to say that the only diff between 
    DOT 3 205°C (401°F) 140°C (284°F)  and 
    DOT 4 230°C (446°F) 155°C (311°F) are the boiling points.

    I am not racing or driving in Death Valley in July so DOT 3 should be alright even though the cap says DOT 4.  Correct?

    Dean
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Dick Spellman 
      To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists 
      Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:46
      Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Maintenance question


      Camran,

      transmission kit components are:
      Pan Rubber Gasket
      Transmission Filter
      Torque Converter Plug seal (flat crush washer)
      Transmission Drain Plug seal (flat crush washer)

      Order it up from Jonathan.

      Brake Fluid is standard DOT 3 available anywhere.  If using a pressure bleeder pumped to 30 lbs as required to move fluid past the ABS pump, be sure and buy the two rubber brake reservoir caps from local MB dealer as these will be cracked if original and blow with the required pressure bleed.  Sequence is pass rear, driver rear, pass front, driver front.

      Do you have a pressure bleeder set-up or need a reference?

      I agree with preferred use of pre-mixed MB anti-sneeze fluid.

      Regards,
      Dick

      Camran Nassiri wrote: 
        I am getting ready to do a 30K maintenance routine on my 90 560SEC (70K miles total miles) and had a couple of questions.
        1- the transmission filter kit at my parts shop is $17.99 and the dealer says $85.  Is there a difference?
        2- Is dextron III the right fluid for the tranie?
        3- Should I bother changing the differential fluid also?
        4- I am flushing the brake lines and changing the coolant.  I am getting those fluids from the dealer.
        Thanks,
        Camran 90 560SEC, 91 420SEL 80 240D





------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Windows Live™ Hotmail®: Celebrate the moment with your favorite sports pics. Check it out. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.




      E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
      Database version: 6.12880
      http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/



--------------------------------------------------------------------------
      The MB Coupes Website!
      W126 SEC Mailing List
      Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.



      E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
      Database version: 6.12880
      http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/





    E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
    Database version: 6.12880
    http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The MB Coupes Website!
W126 SEC Mailing List
Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.




  E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
  Database version: 6.12880
  http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/



------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  The MB Coupes Website!
  W126 SEC Mailing List
  Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.



  E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
  Database version: 6.12880
  http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/




E-mail message checked by Spyware Doctor (6.0.1.441)
Database version: 6.12880
http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor-antivirus/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/mbcoupes/attachments/20090722/108000cb/attachment.htm>