Do I need to immediately drain the power steering system?
Help! 2-4 oz of brake fluid got added to power steering !
- Thread starter tenderloin
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Kestas
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If you haven't run the car, you can probably siphon out the reservoir. Otherwise, I'd recommend the DIY power flush method. Below is a reprint of the way I flush/exchange ps fluid from all of my cars. You'll need a helper for this procedure.
1. Disconnect the return line to the reservoir.
2. Drain the reservoir and cap the open connection.
3. Route the return line to a suitable reservoir.
4. Open and line up at least two quarts of new ps fluid for quick pouring.
5. Fill reservoir with new fluid.
(Here comes the fun part
6. Have helper turn engine on, and immediately turn steering wheel from lock to lock, all the while you're pouring fluid into the reservoir.
7. Turn engine off.
8. Reconnect return line to reservoir.
9. Top off fluid.
10. Clean up mess.
Keep in mind the fluid comes out forcefully during flushing. Lifting the front end so the wheels are off the ground helps reduce the flow to a managable level.
1. Disconnect the return line to the reservoir.
2. Drain the reservoir and cap the open connection.
3. Route the return line to a suitable reservoir.
4. Open and line up at least two quarts of new ps fluid for quick pouring.
5. Fill reservoir with new fluid.
(Here comes the fun part
6. Have helper turn engine on, and immediately turn steering wheel from lock to lock, all the while you're pouring fluid into the reservoir.
7. Turn engine off.
8. Reconnect return line to reservoir.
9. Top off fluid.
10. Clean up mess.
Keep in mind the fluid comes out forcefully during flushing. Lifting the front end so the wheels are off the ground helps reduce the flow to a managable level.
If you haven't driven the car, sucking the contents of the reservoir out and replacing may be good enough. I don't think brake fluid will harm most other rubber seals. If it has had a chance to mix in, you might flush the system. I don't think it would hurt anything, but the ratio of expense and work to replace the fluid or to replace a pump and box or rack is very small.
On the other hand, maybe the brake fluid will recondition the seals and reduce the leak. You shouldn't need to be topping up if nothing is leaking.
A little power steering fluid in a brake master cylinder is cause for panic. If I frequented Iffy lubes, I would be tempted to find a locking cap for it.
On the other hand, maybe the brake fluid will recondition the seals and reduce the leak. You shouldn't need to be topping up if nothing is leaking.
A little power steering fluid in a brake master cylinder is cause for panic. If I frequented Iffy lubes, I would be tempted to find a locking cap for it.
Thanks guys. My son had not driven the car after my early AM senior moment.
I just evacuated the reservoir, added fresh fluid, drove around and repeated the process. I hope this is sufficient.
Brake fluid is caustic and will damage seals. This is why it is added by unsavory dealerships to power steering and to crankcase.It attacks the seals and causes them to swell. In the short run the leak stops latter on the seal will leak again and even worse then before.
On thinking about this some more, I remembered that I used left over HydroBoost ring cups in the hydraulic clutch on my truck. HydroBoost uses the power steering system instead of vacuum for the brake booster. The rebuild kits include several sizes of cups.
The hydraulic clutch has been the weak point of my truck. I can't remember how many times I have had to rebuild it over the last 27 years. The HydroBoost cups were free, and outlasted the ones meant for brake fluid.
The hydraulic clutch has been the weak point of my truck. I can't remember how many times I have had to rebuild it over the last 27 years. The HydroBoost cups were free, and outlasted the ones meant for brake fluid.
I don't think you need to painic. Power Steering systems aren't THAT picky. Some people actually add brake fluid to their PS system to help stop leaks (I don't think it works, but it doesn't hurt anything).
Just suck out the amount in the reservoir and add the correct fluid, repeat this a few times and you'll be fine.
Did you or a quickie place do this?
Just suck out the amount in the reservoir and add the correct fluid, repeat this a few times and you'll be fine.
Did you or a quickie place do this?
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