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 Hydrolastic Fluid

 Created by: danielsg
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 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 04:52PM
 Edited:  Apr 28, 2020 04:53PM
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Probably the main reason for using a water/antifreeze mix is that its cheaper.... The only property of the fluid that would seem to be relevant is a stable viscosity ... and the fact that it stays a liquid through the vehicle operational temperature range .  

Back when hydro fluid was comprised of water, antifreeze and a bit of soluble oil (presumably as an anti corrosion agent). the official 2007 formula was "..... 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."  (The reference to freezing temp is interesting but presumably refers to the sodium merc. ..not the entire mix.) The main uses of both minor constituents seems to be corrosion inhibition.

Viscosity would affect the rate of flow though the displacer valves.  I've heard of various other fluids being used by those chasing performance edge.  WD40 was named at one stage.  But then it was probably simpler to introduce flow restrictors as Spank suggests.  These could be easily calibrated...  A lot of the top guys used to completely isolate the units by using a couple of inline taps. Presumably this was a rules driven solution ... or maybe a commercial choice ("it floats on fluid").

It would be interesting hear from one of the Olds & Bolds as to whether the ability to control the fluid flow actually provided a performance advantage over a dry suspension.. RaunoA always said he preferred hydro anyway...

I do have a pin ... but where are those angels when you need them

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 04:45PM
 Edited:  Apr 28, 2020 04:46PM
TK
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AU
Antifreeze if fine but don't dilute it as already advised. Here in Oz we put a one cent coin with a tiny hole in it between where the front bag is connected to the solid pipe. It stops the front from lifting under acceleration.

 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 10:01AM
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Well, I've been doing it wrong. Looks like I *should* have been using a 50/50 mix.


I'm happy with the ride I get from straight antifreeze, so I'll keep using it.  I know (or think I know) the Works cars used a domed restrictor washer in the lines (between where the hard line attaches to the flex line at the threaded union) which was just a domed washer with a little hole in it to slow the flow of the fluid from front to rear to "stiffen" the car's suspension. Maybe my thinking was that, in absence, me using the thicker fluid was "stiffening" the suspension dampening.


Meh. Whatever.

But thanks for posting the links, RedRiley

 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 08:32AM
 Edited:  Apr 28, 2020 08:39AM
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US
 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 08:30AM
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US
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scargo
I've run my hydro Mini on 50/50 antifreeze for 25 years without issue. Is a full strength (undiluted) solution advantageous and/or advisable? Is there any benefit to using genuine Hydro fluid over antifreeze?
I used 50/50 when I had the original hydro in my car. I seem to recall reading, maybe on the ADO-16 site, that the Ethylene Glycol by itself didn't have the right properties to be compressed at the high pressure needed, and the added water made it better. I know I found the recommendation for the 50/50 mix somewhere.

 Posted: Apr 28, 2020 06:44AM
 Edited:  Apr 28, 2020 06:46AM
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US
I've run my hydro Mini on 50/50 antifreeze for 25 years without issue.

Is a full strength (undiluted) solution advantageous and/or advisable?

Is there any benefit to using genuine Hydro fluid over antifreeze?

 Posted: Apr 27, 2020 08:29PM
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I've run straight, undiluted green antifreeze for years in an Austin America.

Sure, I've also bought the expensive stuff and used it in some cars, including "customer cars". But my go-to for a non-restored car that's my own and nothing special is just antifreeze.

 Posted: Apr 27, 2020 03:53PM
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Thank you! I could not find it before you gave me the part number and the tech folks did not know it existed on the web site.

 Posted: Apr 27, 2020 02:16PM
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US
See here part number MORRIS05. And don't be worried about the can being labeled hydroelastic instead of hydrolastic! It's been that way on the can for years!

 Posted: Apr 27, 2020 02:08PM
PSM
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The fluid is a special mix designed for the hydro suspension in our cars. It does look a lot like green anti freeze, but it’s not. My gallon can says Morris hydolastic fluid and is sold on our hosts site at Mini Mania. One gallon will last along time, it has for my car.

 Posted: Apr 27, 2020 01:52PM
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Hello all,
I am in need of Hydrolastic fluid and several people have suggested that I use green anti-freeze. Please help to confirm of deny this advice and/or suggest where I can purchase the correct fluid.
Thank you!