Power steering fluid is an oil, so it will be as flammable as engine or trans oil. If it hasn't caught fire by now, though it probably won't. Clean it up as best you can, especially around the exhaust. Using some sort of engine cleaner or the "engine" setting at a car wash might be good, to get the fluid off the belts and to keep it from attracting dirt.
power steering fluid
- Thread starter jayno20
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jayno20, It might catch on fire, but I doubt it will any more than any other spilled oil on an engine. More than likely it will probably just collect dust and dirt creating a messy, messy looking engine over time. Probably will do no more harm than that. Nonetheless, I too would suggest you clean your entire engine. Seriously!
I've used spray-on, citris based engine degreasers (@$3-4) on my whole darn engine...top, sides, wires, plastic, hoses, painted frame, all of it...and been very happy. Cuts dirt, oil, grease and dust with minimal work. Spray it on and rinse it off with a garden hose.
Here are a couple of helpful writeups if you're so inclined.
autopia site
BITOG Site
I have done the trans flush on disconnected cooler lines, and I had no spills, what I did is have a milk gallon bottle, disconnected the return line and stuck clear hoses on both the feed and return lines and stuck then into the milk bottle about a 1/3 way from the top. The tramy pump did not pump as hard but since I had the feed line stuck in the bottle could never overfill, not that I wanted to have the feed line pick up old fluid, but more like a safety measure so that I could avoid the spilled mess.
As for the PS system, yes it is a hydraulic system and thus I knew that I was going to be dealing with high pressures, so I will be doing the procedure as outlined before and if I need the assist of the pump, I will be using and external electrical engine just to have the situation under control. Sure it takes more work, but at least it will be done nice and slow.
As for the PS system, yes it is a hydraulic system and thus I knew that I was going to be dealing with high pressures, so I will be doing the procedure as outlined before and if I need the assist of the pump, I will be using and external electrical engine just to have the situation under control. Sure it takes more work, but at least it will be done nice and slow.
alright thanks for the awesome tips guys
what citrus based cleaner exactly? i've been looking for a good degreaser that wont strip the paint off my valve cover..quote:
Originally posted by Roger:
jayno20, It might catch on fire, but I doubt it will any more than any other spilled oil on an engine. More than likely it will probably just collect dust and dirt creating a messy, messy looking engine over time. Probably will do no more harm than that. Nonetheless, I too would suggest you clean your entire engine. Seriously!
I've used spray-on, citris based engine degreasers (@$3-4) on my whole darn engine...top, sides, wires, plastic, hoses, painted frame, all of it...and been very happy. Cuts dirt, oil, grease and dust with minimal work. Spray it on and rinse it off with a garden hose.
Here are a couple of helpful writeups if you're so inclined.
autopia site
BITOG Site
It's like "Gunk" brand engine cleaner that you find in any auto supply store or the automotive section of Walmart, only it is more biodegradable than petroleum based cleaners. I also think citrus is easier on rubber and vinyl. It really left my engine metal clean. It didn't strip the paint on the firewall, discolor bare aluminum, or harm anything at all. If you are worried about the valve cover paint, I'd test a small section 1st. I covered a few things that I didn't want water to get into, but otherwise I just sprayed like a mad man.
And gently rinsed with the garden hose.
Comes in an aerosol spray can and says Citrus on the label. I used a full can for one engine. I actually found the cirus stuff around the corner from the auto aisle at Walmart in the motorcycle section. Can't remember the brand. Don't think that really matters as the printed directions on the back labels were word-for-word identical between citrus and regular, Gunk brand, SuperTech brand, the motorcycle stuff I actually bought and the no-name brand I almost got at O'Reillys, but didn't. I suspect it all comes from the same manufacturer, only the front label is different.
[ May 02, 2006, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: Roger ]
Comes in an aerosol spray can and says Citrus on the label. I used a full can for one engine. I actually found the cirus stuff around the corner from the auto aisle at Walmart in the motorcycle section. Can't remember the brand. Don't think that really matters as the printed directions on the back labels were word-for-word identical between citrus and regular, Gunk brand, SuperTech brand, the motorcycle stuff I actually bought and the no-name brand I almost got at O'Reillys, but didn't. I suspect it all comes from the same manufacturer, only the front label is different.
[ May 02, 2006, 11:39 PM: Message edited by: Roger ]
yeah i've seen the gunk in the spray can, i guess i'll grab some of that hopefully its strong enough to cut some grease, but easy enough on the sensative stuff
what color is the can that the gunk stuff comes in? the can i found is white, but it says its has petroleum in it, and not citrus i cant seem to find the citrus kind
anyone?
with all the electronics on a modern engine, do NOT use a high pressure spray to blow off the dirt and cleaner soap....use a low pressure spray or straight stream from hose half on and rinse off gently
after using one of these engine cleaners, spray the plug wire and plugs with a silicone spray to help seal against water absorbtion and extend plug wire life
Gunk Citrus cleaner
http://www.gunk.com/prod_photo.asp?img=LG_CEB1.jpg
probably the mildest engine cleaner Gunk manuf's, just some ethanol, methyl ester, petro base oil, soy oil and surfactant
stay away from the heavy duties with acids and sodium compounds unless you're cleaning an old diesel and protect the wiring
[ May 07, 2006, 08:41 AM: Message edited by: Steelhead ]
after using one of these engine cleaners, spray the plug wire and plugs with a silicone spray to help seal against water absorbtion and extend plug wire life
Gunk Citrus cleaner
http://www.gunk.com/prod_photo.asp?img=LG_CEB1.jpg
probably the mildest engine cleaner Gunk manuf's, just some ethanol, methyl ester, petro base oil, soy oil and surfactant
stay away from the heavy duties with acids and sodium compounds unless you're cleaning an old diesel and protect the wiring
[ May 07, 2006, 08:41 AM: Message edited by: Steelhead ]
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