Hydro fluid

[tedmcedd]

I was told that my 1300 needs re-gassing...

I have a Hydro pump, never used it though!! suck out all the old, and put in the new... but what do i use? can you still get hydro fluid??

Ed

[InimiaD]

Yes, the Hydro fluid is still readily available. Any half decent Motor Factors should have it. (Not Halfrauds)

[66S]

Morriss Lubricants have it. Some folk simply use anti-freeze and water mixed 40% AF and 60% water.

Regards
Al

[tedmcedd]

cool! thanks guys!

Ill see how much stuff is!

Ed

[Phil Perfect]

I've bought some on the Bay some years ago. Cheaper than Morriss (but no metal can). No problem so far.
Can't find the one I bought but here's another one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYDROELASTIC- ... 2561wt_794

[guru_1071]

I've bought some on the Bay some years ago. Cheaper than Morriss (but no metal can). No problem so far.
Can't find the one I bought but here's another one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYDROELASTIC- ... 2561wt_794

the trouble is its not a massive bargain - its only a fiver or so cheaper than the properly made morris stuff,

i think i know which one id use.........

[Phil Perfect]

£32.76 at Minispares (for exemple) against £23.76. That's nearly 2 fivers
I bought also some from MGOC still not Morris but also cheaper.
http://www.mgocspares.co.uk/acatalog/MG ... __461.html

[tedmcedd]

Minispares do it!??

[InimiaD]

Whilst doing the Autojumble at a Mini show back in the spring I bagged myself a can for £9 . It wasn't Morris's brand though. In hindsight I wish I'd bought some more cans.
On the subject of Antifreeze, which is an obvious ingredient of Hydro fluid, my local family run motor factors told me that the cost of Antifreeze is going up rapidly. That would probably explain why Hydro fluid is costing so much more nowadays.

[Tim]

Depending on whether you believe everything you read on the internet, glycol antifreeze may not be a component of hydrolastic fluid. For example http://www.bluestreaksix.com/Austin1800/Page11.html says

Official Recipe for Hydrolastic Fluid:

The liquid is a solution of 49% alcohol, 49% distilled water, 1 % triethanolamine phosphate and 1% sodium mercaptobenzthiazole, which is of constant viscosity and has a freezing temperature of 31 degrees C. According to BMC, the particular reason this fluid is used instead of distilled water with an antifreeze is that this fluid IS an antifreeze solution of constant viscosity containing a rust inhibitor with an agent added to make the fluid distasteful. (This last was a legal requirement.)

Sodium mercaptobenzothiazole and triethanolamine phosphate are corrosion inhibitors, and I think it means a freezing temperature of -31°C

It goes on to say that:

A 50-50 mixture of methylated spirit and antifreeze (with a little radiator anti-corrosion added) can be used successfully with no adverse effects.

There were variations in the formula for Hydrolastic fluid between the UK and Australia. The firm of H.C. Sleigh (Golden Fleece) marketed a fluid to the following specification: Alcohol 50%, Water 24.45%, Bentmazol 0.05%, Ethylene Glycol 3%, (Bomar)? 0.50%, Union Carbide HB5100 22% (this is a viscosity improver).

I guess the main requirement is that whatever you use is compatible with the rubber and metal components in the system and has a reasonable viscosity. You may be able to 'tune' it by varying the viscosity, but I suspect that the difference would be barely perceptible.

It reminds me of the bush mechanics trick of using detergent as an alternative to brake fluid, if its all you've got.

Tim