what happens if.....

[telboy]

......you put power steering fluid in the brake reservoir by mistake?
Would it have too much of an affect?

[Chrislong]

Id say it isn't good. By the nature of the brake fluid, it cannot be compressed within operating temperature (always use the highest grade stuff) and has a high boiling point, only when it boils does air get in and the peddle goes spongy because air compresses - result = no brakes, brake fade.

So with a different fluid, you will have altered that characteristic. id suggest getting the brakes bled ASAP, and don't do anything which might warm the fluid (braking hard on motorway, driving hard on A roads). I don't know the characteristic of power steering fluid, but I do know that if it was suitable as brake fluid - well, we'd be buying "Brake & Power Steering Fluid", like 2 in 1 shampoo.

Im sure somebody in the motortrade will confirm or expand on that, but anything which risks compromising your safety, don't hesitate to fix it mate, I don't want to hear that you got hurt.

Chris

[telboy]

Hmm, bugger.
I put it in, obviously by mistake, and of course have no way of getting it out now...and of course I'm racing tomorrow.

[sparrow.2]

You need a new tin of brake fluid and someone to bleed the system. Everything that's in you brake system needs to come out and be replaced, or you'll have a spongy pedal and no brakes as soon as they generate some heat, like when you want to take a motorway exit... It doesn't even have to be hard braking to get the brakes hot!

[bigred5765]

brake fluid is also heat resistant, and needs to be,im almost sure power steering fluid isnt

[telboy]

I've not been anywhere in it, so may have a look at emptying the reservoir totally, and replacing it with the propper stuff.