Brake fluid in the power steering reservoir

Jun 21, 2010 5 Replies
N

Hi,



Imagine if someone was stupid enough to top up (maybe 50ml) the power steering reservoir with brake fluid.



And then run the car for ~20 miles, with a leak in the power steering system, so that the level in the reservoir went down by 50ml again in



24hr.

I then patched the leak (dont ask!) and realised my error, so syphoned off the contents of the reservoir (~200ml) and refilled with power steering fluid.



Do I need to do anything else?



Thanks for any help Steve Fiesta 1999, Mk5, 1.25 zetec 100,000 miles


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M

Without stripping the system there's no chance of removing all the brake fluid, but unless it reacts with the PS fluid, (I'd guess not) I can't see it doing much, if any,harm to rhe seals or mechanics.. Personally I'd take a chance and leave it as-is. . But, if you drained and refilled the PS reservoir a few times over the next few weeks you could hopefully reduce the remaining brake fluid in the system to an insignificant amount. Mike.

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R

At least you put brake fluid in the PS, not the other way round, which I think would have been fatal. I doubt if what you did would matter.

Rob Graham

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M

one of my customers filled the ps with screenwash :) I changed the fluid a couple of times and it was OK again

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N

Cool. Thanks guys, that what I hoped. And the double winner is that I managed to hide my stupidity from my girlfriend (the car owner) so if anything hideous happens to the powersteering in future I can deny it's my fault! :-)

Steve

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N

Reminds me of a Nun filling the engine oil up with water....

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