I accidently put about 1/3 cup power steering fluid in the coolant reservoir. What should I do?

Answer 1

if you have not started the car, and just put it in the plastic coolant reservouir, then either take the plastic thing out and dump the stuff out, or syphon it out. If you started the car already, you will need to drain your whole coolant system to get it out. If you bring it to a shop they will do a radiator flush (which is good to do anyway) Power steering fluid should not really damage it, but I would get it out of there anyway

Answer 2

I'm taking the positive approach to this one.

Assuming you didn't start and run the car through a heat and cool cycle, don't worry.

But here's what you should do. Remove the resevior and drain it. Clean it out with hot soapy water and rinse. Maybe just sucking the fluid out with a shop vac or turkey baster would work, but I'd drain it if it were me.

Put it all back, refill it with 50/50 mix and go about your life. I wouldn't worry if an ounce or two of power steering fluid got into the cooling sytem.

This also assumes you haven't been cursed with that GM coolant crap that breaks down and turns to a snot-like goo well before the recomended service interval. If that's the case then get ole' bessie cleaned up, vacuumed, windows washed and put it up for sale "as is where is" or trade it in. Tomorrow if not sooner.

Answer 3

I own a shop, and can be honest with you. There isn't anything it will hurt. If anything it might help more than it would hurt, since you put no more than a 1/3 cup in it. If you don't want it in there, then look around the bottom of the reservoir for the hose that goes to the radiator. Slip this hose off, and let it drain down into a container, replace the hose, and add back the same amount of (the same kind) coolant your vehicle uses. That should rest your mind. No harm will be done to your system.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

You need to take out the coolant and power steering fluid mixture immediately since this might have an effect on your engine's cooling process.

1. Make sure that the engine is OFF
2. Take out the coolant reservoir by pulling it out and unscrewing the nuts for the hose fitting so that the coolant reservoir can be detached from the hose
3. Drain the coolant reservoir and replace it with the right water and coolant mixture.
4. Put the coolant reservoir to its original location and attach the hose and screw the hose fitting

Answer 5

Optimally take it in and have it flushed, but really it won't hurt anything. Most power steering fluid is a paraffinic petroleum distillate which is used as a hydraulic fluid. So is ethylene glycol (coolant) for that matter. Both can be used for the others job although PS fluid isn't the best coolant, obviously.

The only danger is in it coating the coolant passages making it harder for the glycol to wick away heat. If you notice any change in the operating temperature of the car take it in for a full flush, otherwise you'll be ok.

Answer 6

Drain the the coolant reservoir. If you can't drain, pump out the coolant in the reservoir. If you don't have access to a pump, one can be made from the pump nozzle of a large shampoo bottle. When completed, refill the reservoir coolant to the proper level.

Answer 7

if the car has not been run, drain the resivor and refill it with new coolant, if its been run, have a coolant flush preformed. I've seen this before and a 1/3 of a cup doesn't sound like much, but its enough to mess things up. If the car has not been run, do not start it until the resivor has been cleaned out.

Answer 8

Drian it by taking a tube and stick it in the fluid suck it untill the fluid just touches your tounge then take it out and put the end of the hose in a bucket and it will all come out. But spit out any fluid that got into your mouth or even if it jsut touched your tounge. Then you will be able to do it correctly the next time.
ive seen my dad do this all the time!

Answer 9

drain it, and refill. There is a petcock on the bottom of the radiator, open this, catch the fluid in a container. refill, mix 50 percent water 50 percent antifreeze

Answer 10

Go to a shop for a cooling system flush and antifreeze replacement. The good part is, you cooling system will then be cleaner and more efficient.