Quote:
Originally Posted by Emmerich
I have a BMW 840, turns out the power steering uses hydraulic fluid. The cap says CHF-11.s or something close to that. I have some leftover hydraulic fluid from my 6.9, but the label is gone, anybody know if the 6.9 fluid can be used in the BMW?
thanks
Fred Emmerich
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Fred,
The biggest, most serious issue about hydraulic fluids no longer exists.
In the 1960s, when the M100 was made, the era was ending for custom hydraulic systems which used vegetable-based hydraulic fluid, versus mineral-based hydraulic fluid. The early (1955-1965) Pentosin-brand fluid, aka CHF-2, was vegetable-based hydraulic fluid similar to brake fluid. IT COULD NOT BE MIXED WITH MINERAL-BASED FLUID. The rubber parts on these systems were made from a product called EPDM, which would dissolve on contact with the later fluid.
Early Citroens, Bentleys and Rolls-Royce cars used the vegetable-based fluid initially, to about 1968, tho French and German cars got rid of it in 1965.
The M-100 cars used the later mineral based-fluid, the most popular being LHM and LHM+ , both of which are still usable now. All rubber parts on these vehicles are made from a material similar to Buta-N, which is compatible ONLY with mineral-based fluid, including Dexron 3 in a pinch.
CHF-11,made by Pentosin, is a more modern, evolved form of the original stuff. A good general fluid which cannot hurt anything is Hyken Glacial Blue, used in many high-pressure auto and construction hydraulic systems. The main differences between these systems now are additives for rust resistance, reaction to the metal components in the hydraulic system, anti-hydroscopy (prevents absorption of water) and dirt emulsification to keep dirt from blocking tiny holes in automatic leveling valves.
Could you use the stuff? Yes, in a pinch, but how long has it been sitting on the shelf?
I would, at the very least, pour a little out and see. Plus, check out the fluids and see what the difference is between the fluids according to the tech websites.