I posted this a few years ago, on every site I could find. One more site is sure to help someone, right?
A european company "Ravenol" published that their "GHA-F" Hydraulic Fluid was a good substitute for our SMT system. They were wrong. The SMT system uses brake fluid throughout. Any kind of hydraulic oil will cause all the internal seals to swell and will destroy the entire system.
To my knowledge, Ravenol company never gave any Spyder owner a red cent in compensation for the destruction they caused with their sloppy crossover information.
Me and a few other unfortunate Spyder owners tried the new substitute. I documented all the destruction, plus I did a little test-tube test with three HPDM o-rings to show what happens. Within 24 hours the seal has swelled enough to cause trouble.
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This topic was modified 5 years ago 6 times by cyclehead
I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.
Topic starter
Posted : July 13, 2019 5:14 pm
2
ch, did anyone seriously try to get compensation for any damage done? I'm not an attorney, and I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express, but it seems taking Ravenol to court could have reaped some rewards. Are/were they too big to sue?
"Think as we think", say many Spyder owners, "or you are abominably wicked, you are a toad". After I'd thought about, I said "I will then, be a toad."
Thank you, Stephen Crane
Posted : July 16, 2019 8:29 pm
I asked repeatedly for Ravenol to give some compensation for the damage they caused. I offered many times to send them the destroyed HPU and GSA for their inspection. Instead they demanded I send them inspection results from “a certified shop”. Prices for forensic examination by a professionally licensed lab are very high. They wanted me to spend all this money up front, then send them paperwork for them to look over and pick apart. That smacks of throwing good money after bad. I don’t have the time, money or stomach to pursue an international lawsuit.
I would have been happy with a sincere apology.
I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.
Topic starter
Posted : July 17, 2019 12:16 pm
1
@cyclehead aloha ,Help ! I need to purchase both of your SMT seal kits and cannot find a purchase link. My Smt light is on and nothing but a green neutral light on the gauge , i can hear the pump , also starting my 03 is intermittent also ,no clue why like ,its as if the battery cables were loose but mine are not. I appreciate you. Thanks ! Chanflys
Posted : October 28, 2021 8:50 am
Has anyone tried using Automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid as a substitute?
Posted : December 28, 2021 2:06 pm
Has anyone tried using Automatic transmission fluid or power steering fluid as a substitute?
Yomo,
welcome to MR2-spyder
not sure about your question but hopefully cyclehead or someone with experience will chime in
Posted : December 28, 2021 7:39 pm
@cspidy Thanks CSPIDY. Trying to find these EPDM seals online, no catalog shows them.
Posted : December 28, 2021 7:54 pm
Yomo,
sorry for the slow reply. Absolute do not use transmission fluid or power steering fluid in the SMT system. The seals are made from EPDM material which is compatible with brake fluid only. Any petroleum based fluids will make the seals swell and leak. Actually, there’s no reason to look for a cheaper alternative fluid. Brake fluid is pretty cheap. No reason to buy the expensive Toyota SMT fluid.
This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by cyclehead
I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.
Topic starter
Posted : January 1, 2022 5:42 pm
1
https://www.mr2-spyder.com/community/postid/1805/ For replacement seals, send me a message. I think I’m the only source in the entire globe for replacement seals. I have shipped to Africa, NZ, Auz, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia, and all points between.
This post was modified 3 years ago by cyclehead
I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.
Topic starter
Posted : January 1, 2022 5:56 pm
2
Copy that. I was just thinking of using a substitute fluid that would be compatible with the seals available. If you do have them i would like to purchase a set.
Thanks for all the help.
Posted : January 5, 2022 12:46 am
@cyclehead Hi, Trying to message you about the seals but it says I'm not allowed to send a message yet. Not sure why.
Posted : January 5, 2022 12:51 am
@yomo email me: Cyclehead21 at gmail.
I make Amateur Armrests - see the Commercial Forum. I also have SMT repair seals available.
Topic starter
Posted : January 5, 2022 6:06 am