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I have used silicone fluid in a 1966 Ford (acquired in 1968) for about 20 years, with complete satisfaction. Before then, I had two episodes of suddenly failed rear wheel cylinders and two of leaky non-power master cylinder due to rust. I replaced the wheel cylinders and rebuilt the m/c and the undamaged front calipers, and flushed out and drained the hydraulic plumbing. I did not disturb the proportioning valve. There's only a fair chance the new rubber parts were Wagner's.
In my 1978 VW Rabbit(Golf) bought new, the non-boosted m/cyl got rusty and leaky after about 6 years and I rebuilt it with Ate parts. I refilled the m/c and reservoir with silicone fluid without ever draining or servicing the wheel cyls or calipers. Nothing bad ever happened with the hydraulics since then. This car went out of service for cumulative reasons 6 years ago, but oddly, the brakes still work and the fluid remains topped up.
This VW is German-made and uses two brake fluid pressure-activated brake light switches in parallel, one for each part of the tandem m/c. After a year or two of silicone fluid exposure these switches no longer would pass enough amps to light up the brake lights. But they would brightly light a little test bulb and operate a relay, which I then wired in permanently to restore brake light function.
Silicone fluid is said to be more compressible and give a softer pedal. This effect isn't dramatic and hasn't bothered me. The stuff is vastly more expensive, and its advantages over modern conventional fluids would not be decisive during a new car's warranty period, hence not any mfr's choice. Spilled or leaked silicone fluid however will not take paint off.
Charles Greenlaw, Sacramento California
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