Castrol DOT 4 Brake Fluid

[Steve Demeter]

Am I the only one that is finding it impossible to find or am I just not looking in the right places.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I did find on Flea Bay an entity offering a 1 gallon container for about $45 but with a shipping charge of $999.99 LOL

[schiconst]

Steve, look at old faithful (Amazon). John Schimenti FF69

[Bardahl77]

I just got a can a few weeks ago at the local O'Reilly's parts store. Haven't noticed any shortage.

Nope! I take that back, I was LOOKING for Castrol but ended up with Prestone. Looks like they're out of stock on the stuff right now.And NAPA and Autozone aren't even showing any Castrol. Neither is Rockauto. Strange.

[DaveW]

I just got a can a few weeks ago at the local O'Reilly's parts store. Haven't noticed any shortage.

Nope! I take that back, I was LOOKING for Castrol but ended up with Prestone. Looks like they're out of stock on the stuff right now.And NAPA and Autozone aren't even showing any Castrol. Neither is Rockauto. Strange.

I found a place that had it, they said, but they wanted $6,999.99 to ship it...

I guess I'll keep my few remaining 12-oz bottles for the racecar, and use something else for the street vehicles.

[John LaRue]

If you are looking for an alternative I have been using the Valvoline Dot 4 that can be purchased just about anywhere. I also have several bottles of new, unopened PFC fluid should that be of interest. John

[Ken Lawrence]

I have bought Honda DOT 4 from motorcycle stores on and off for years. Usually was cheaper than car stores. Good Luck

Ken

VD2001 and Honda CBRF1000

[teamwisconsin]

Full disclosure: SRS is an Amsoil dealer

You might try looking into Amsoil Dominator DOT 4 synthetic brake fluid. It has essentially the same performance characteristics as Castrol Dot 4, and is similarly priced. Check it out here: https://www.amsoil.com/p/dominator-d...ake-fluid-bfr/

You can buy it direct from Amsoil, or if you happen to be located near Sonoma Raceway…. We have it in stock.

[DaveW]

If you are looking for an alternative I have been using the Valvoline Dot 4 that can be purchased just about anywhere. I also have several bottles of new, unsealed PFC fluid should that be of interest. John

I just picked up 4 quarts of the Valvoline DOT 4 brake fluid at NAPA - about $8/qt. It has a very slightly lower dry boiling point than the Castrol DOT 4, but it looks very good otherwise. I'll use that in my street vehicles and save my Castrol DOT 4 for the racecar.

I wonder if the war in Ukraine has any bearing on the Castrol DOT 4 being out-of-stock everywhere.

[Bob L.]

(about a year ago) Last (LMA) I bought were pints from Moss. Just looked/searched and doesn't come up on their web site....they do list Lockheed DOT 4. Perhaps a call will help? I had bought from O'Rielly's in past, but local place stopped carrying/helping. .Saw several listings on computer, but we all know how that goes.... stuff shows, but isn't available...not updated. Perhaps, check with Race Parts (Ben) at Road Atl., he's been good finding hard to find stuff.

Bob L

[cory mcleod]

Definitely looks like a shortage. Amazon price for 12 oz bottle is $18.35. Only a few other random places supposedly have it per my internet search. It's still listed on the Castrol site. Hopefully it's a temporary thing rather than Castrol discontinuing it. I've been using it forever in all my street cars. Took me a while to get used to the name change from GTLMA. "DOT 4" seemed so basic.

[DaveW]

If you are looking for an alternative I have been using the Valvoline Dot 4 that can be purchased just about anywhere. I also have several bottles of new, unsealed PFC fluid should that be of interest. John

I assume you meant "sealed" or" unopened".

[John LaRue]

Good catch.

[Steve Demeter]

As I suspected, there is a real shortage.

Darn

[Garey Guzman]

Bulk buying (no, not hoarding ) is my superpower.

[Steve Demeter]

I found someone on Amazon that had 12 ounce bottles for $18 each, a bitt pricey, but shipping was feee since I bought two.

Ordered Friday, showed up Sunday

[DaveW]

I found someone on Amazon that had 12 ounce bottles for $18 each, a bit pricey, but shipping was free since I bought two.

Ordered Friday, showed up Sunday

If I had been totally out, I would have done that, but I still have enough for the short term, so I'm waiting to see what happens in the next few months.

[MC99]

Free delivery...CA$118 per litre. Same day delivery on Amazon.ca

[Steve Demeter]

Holy Canole!! IIRC a liter is slightly larger than a quart. A couple of years ago a quart cost about $30 US.

But it is good to know that there is still some out there

[Steve Demeter]

Got a quart for about $19.00 delivered.

From This seller on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/sp?seller=A21GUIW7WOZK5L

[Lotus7]

FWIW, we just bought 3 pints on amazon; reasonable price and immediate delivery

[problemchild]

I know you guys like buying pricey old special items but the quality of cheap brake fluid is much improved these days. My total brake fluid budget for our 4-car team would be about $18/season. Walmart product has worked just fine for many Pro wins and a few Runoff victories.

The only premium quality fluid in our cars is in the transmission.

[DaveW]

I know you guys like buying pricey old special items but the quality of cheap brake fluid is much improved these days. My total brake fluid budget for our 4-car team would be about $18/season. Walmart product has worked just fine for many Pro wins and a few Runoff victories.

Thing was, Castrol DOT 4 was the same price as the cheap stuff, and we trust it. High lubricity so seals last a long time, decent temperature resistance, etc. But now it's barely available. So that's the issue.

[DaveW]

Saw this in the RX7 forum:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati.../#post12532708

Specs look pretty good.

[Garey Guzman]

I think someone on here once posted this list:
https://www.lelandwest.com/brake-flu...ow=1&SF=8&ST=1

[stownsen914]

Ate Type 200 (gold version of the blue stuff they used to sell) isn't as popular as it once was. While the dry boiling point isn't 600 deg like some of the more expensive options, its wet boiling point is close to the best fluids out there. And it's cheap and easy to find. Seems to have better specs than the Bosch one list above, and cheaper.

[Rick Iverson]

Gents;

Common knowledge, but a good read.

[Rick Iverson]

The only premium quality fluid in our cars is in the transmission.

Greg;

May I draw upon your vast experience and knowledge, please?

I have a fresh LD200 Gear Daddies GB, no oil.

• Break in oil
• Duration of the break-in oil
• Procedures (read: RPMs, shift limits)
• Flush procedures
• Track oil
• Oil change frequency

Tusen Takk

[stonebridge20]

Greg;

May I draw upon your vast experience and knowledge, please?

I have a fresh LD200 Gear Daddies GB, no oil.

• Break in oil
• Duration of the break-in oil
• Procedures (read: RPMs, shift limits)
• Flush procedures
• Track oil
• Oil change frequency

Tusen Takk

Cryo and REM-ISF that gearbox stuff included ring and pinion and there is no break-in period.
[emoji6]

[problemchild]

Greg;

May I draw upon your vast experience and knowledge, please?

I have a fresh LD200 Gear Daddies GB, no oil.

• Break in oil
• Duration of the break-in oil
• Procedures (read: RPMs, shift limits)
• Flush procedures
• Track oil
• Oil change frequency

Tusen Takk

I apologize for my arrogance, but those are questions for your transmission builder. Every racer needs to have an engine builder and transmission builder, and put their council above internet advice. People may be trying to sell you stuff

I have never used break-in oil in a LD200. If I have the luxury of an extra session (test day), I would do a few easy laps and then park it. From the next session, it would be business as usual. I rarely have that throw-away session, so we end up going flat-out to start.

I have been using an expensive Millers oil or Joe Gibbs Driven MTF. I reuse the tranny oil but filter it with a coffee filter. After having some strange transmission issues several years ago, I have gone away from trying lighter oils, and fill it until it comes out the side plug (as opposed to projecting a minimal level). I believe I may be giving away performance with too much heavy oil, but cannot run my business with ongoing transmission repairs.

If I was a decently funded casual racer with one car running several times per year, I would probably use new gear oil with every gear change, especially in a F2000 car.

I try to offer up some balance when I see people that are struggling to buy tires and pay entry fees, but feel the need to chase down exotic stuff to put on/in their car. It just seems like poor use of resources. FWIW, I use Walmart synthetic Dot 3 brake fluid. I use Joe Gibbs Driven XP1 in the Zetec. With the Hondas, I put in one quart of XP1 then use Walmart Mobil 1 0W20 thereafter. Being financially responsible is critical when running 3-4 cars for 10-12 races per year. Finding the balance between quality and price is critical, but I believe the cheap synthetic modern fluids are much better quality than many of the exotic racing stuff from 50-60 years ago.

Cheers!

[Rick Iverson]

I apologize for my arrogance, but those are questions for your transmission builder. Every racer needs to have an engine builder and transmission builder, and put their council above internet advice…………..

Greg;

Most correct, friend.

[DaveW]

Thing was, Castrol DOT 4 was the same price as the cheap stuff, and we trust it. High lubricity so seals last a long time, decent temperature resistance, etc. But now it's barely available. So that's the issue.

It's available again at a bit higher price than before the shortage, but at least it's back in stock.