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Old 08-27-2009, 07:15 PM
strelnik strelnik is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SE Mich
Posts: 3,285
Quote:
Originally Posted by tankowner View Post
Yeah, from what I read the LHV (vegetable oil) was replaced by the LHS (synthetic hydraulic fluid) for use in the Citroens, both of which were later replaced by the LHM (mineral hydraulic fluid) because the LHV and the LHS were both hygroscopic. The Citroens were innovative in their use of hydropneumatic systems throughout the car, but the problem still remains in brake systems today. Any hygroscopic fluid will eventually accumulate water, which can lead to internal deterioration but, more importantly, lower the boiling point of the fluid. Incidentally, I suspect that nearly everyone here is using (per manufacturer’s recommendation) a brake fluid that is hygroscopic (DOT 3 and DOT 4). Therefore, flushing the brake fluid at least every other year or so is a good idea. See this link for more info on why:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/bfluid.htm

PS. Strelnik, did I mention that I am jealous of your collection?
I was told by Citroen Co reps that the original decision to use brake fluid /Dot 3was because LHS was not available in the US

Half of my collection is for sale because it's gotten too big.
E-mail me off line. My (thinks he knows it all) son doesn't want the Benz 240D that just got rebuilt before I got sick, so I'm selling that too with an extra perfecto interior for 2500 firm.
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Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6
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