My car is 2001 Honda Accord V6.
2006-07-13 01:22:37 · 7 answers · asked by Studmuffin 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hey Studmuffin:
Don't get into a panic.
Brake fluid isn't going to ruin your Power Steering pump. Just by being in the reservoir.
Someone earlier said brake fluid would swell up your seals and eats your lines.
That's a load of crap also.
Brake fluid has rubber conditioners in it to maintain the rubber brake piston seals and cups; it also protects the rubber lines.
It is hygroscopic which means it will draw moisture.
It isn't a great thing to have in there but it could be worse.
Someone also said they put Automatic transmission fluid in the power steering pump. Well, WHY NOT, it's the same stuff, with exception that they add some anti-foaming agents to the Power Steering Fluid. You can put Power Steering fluid in your automatic transmission if you're in a pinch.
Back to your problem.
If you haven't started the engine since you put the brake fluid in, why don't you get a turkey baster and suck as much of the stuff out as you can.
If you don't have a Turkey syringe, then use some small rubber or plastic hose to siphon the fluid out.
Get as much out as you can, then refill with power steering fluid.
If you have started the engine you have mixed it through the system. One method would be to loosen a fitting and drain the reservoir, re-tighten the fitting, refill, run the engine a few seconds turning the steering wheel back a forth a couple times. Then shut the engine off and repeat the draining and refill again.
Or, take to your local Mechanic a let them do it for you.
It really depends on what your comfortable doing.
Yours: Grumpy
2006-07-13 02:41:15 · answer #1 · answered by Grumpy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some people will actually use a small amount of brake fouid in their power steering as a stop-leak. I have used it before, and will probably use it again. I've never seen it hurt a steering system before. Now if you add power steering/automatic transmission fluid to the break system, you will definitely have a problem(that's what swells the rubber components) I wouldn't worry as long as it's less than an 8th to a quarter of a cup of brake fluid int the power steering. More than that...you may want to get it flushed...use honda approved fluid for power steering because it's differrent that standard power steering/automatic transmission fluid.
2006-07-13 09:03:59 · answer #2 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how much you added.
Brake fluid is alcohol-based and power steering fluid is oil-based.
They don't mix well.
You could try getting one of those handheld kerosese pumps (sold in hardware stores for kerosene heaters) and suction out the fluid reservoir (with the engine off) and replace the fluid with proper power steering oil.
You'd have to do this a couple times, no doubt. Bleed the air out of the system by turning the wheel slowly from lock to lock several times until no hesitation or stiffness is felt.
2006-07-13 08:28:59 · answer #3 · answered by doomsdaybiker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your probably going to be OK, power steering pumps and hoses are pretty hardy, lots of car repair shops put transmission fluid in power steering pumps, and I believe brake fluid is a much milder type of oil than that stuff. Hope I helped.
2006-07-13 08:29:51 · answer #4 · answered by amara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OUCH!! go have it flushed brake fluid will swell all rubber seals and deteriorate them...also brake fluid absorbs moisture from atmoshpere...it will end up causeing moisture in the p/s fluid then will boil off and leave you with air pockets, eat rubber seals..probly cuase rack to leak.....go fix now quickly
2006-07-13 08:26:16 · answer #5 · answered by firestoneasetech 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can. You need to drain and flush the steering system. Get it done before you drive again.
2006-07-13 08:26:23 · answer #6 · answered by Norm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Have it towed to have it done right. DO NOT drive the car. It is unsafe
2006-07-13 08:24:17 · answer #7 · answered by Dark Martha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋