George Macdonald wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 09:56:22 GMT, Gus <GusPod@optOFFline.XXXX.net> wrote:
>
>>George Macdonald wrote:
>>
>>(snip)
>>
>>>No it will not mess up the system - IMO just about any aftermarket brake
>>>fluid is better than the stuff that Honda sells.
>>
>>Why is that?
>
> It's been mentioned here a few times by others as well as me. When I
> decided to change the clutch fluid on my '99 Integra at ~16K miles I found
> the old stuff viscous and slimey. After sucking the old fluid out, along
> with a slight residue of what could only be rubber particles, I couldn't
> understand at first why the fresh Castrol GTLMA still looked dark in the
> reservoir. Turns out it was a coating of slime on the inside of the
> reservoir which I had to wipe off. To me this is not normal, is an
> undesirable characteristics for a hydraulic fluid and the fresh Castrol
> stuff never discolored as badly nor turned slimey nor showed any sign of
> residue after another 20K miles.
>
> Note the Integra was built in Japan so the U.S. built cars may have
> different stuff in them.

Thanks, George, something I'll definitely have to keep an eye on.
Slime/rubber particles would upset me, too.

However, sounds as though your experience was with the factory fill, not
what the US Honda dealers are selling, correct?

My Honda is only 6 months old, but I never had any like problems with my
'88 Integra.