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.

[sparrow.2]

Originally Posted by 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.

Might work, the major problem being that brake fluid is hydrostatic, meaning it will attract water and mix with it, rendering it useless, as it loses it's heat-stability. Your safest bet would be to empty the system totally and replace with the proper fluid. It also needs to be bled properly or you will have air in the system which will give you mushy brakes at best...

Maybe the AA can help or at least put you in touch with someone who can tell you exactly what will happen if you drain the reservoir.

I do all repairs on my car apart from brakes because I've had the pleasure of hitting the brakes with little effect and then hitting the car in front of me a split-second later

[sime46]

I think you mean hydroscopic mate. Hydrostatic is a commercial transmision type eg forktrucks and loading shovels. You need that P.S fluid out asap as it is an oil and brake fluid is mineral based. It will mix and turn to sludge which will give a very hard pedal but no braking effort as its trying to push a thick solution through very small ports. Similar to thick shock oil with very small piston holes. Hope this makes sense. Get it looked at ASAP tel cos its dangerous! Sorry to be the bearer of such joy.

[sparrow.2]

Originally Posted by sime46

I think you mean hydroscopic mate.

That was the one

[showtime]

Hmmmm

if you're going to pull somebody up on something it helps if you're actually right yourself

the word you were looking for is Hygroscopic


you can check if you like here- http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/glossary/hygroscopic.html



ps i only added this as point of fact rather than trying to belittle anyone

[SlowOne]

Originally Posted by sime46

I think you mean hydroscopic mate. Hydrostatic is a commercial transmision type eg forktrucks and loading shovels. You need that P.S fluid out asap as it is an oil and brake fluid is mineral based. It will mix and turn to sludge which will give a very hard pedal but no braking effort as its trying to push a thick solution through very small ports. Similar to thick shock oil with very small piston holes. Hope this makes sense. Get it looked at ASAP tel cos its dangerous! Sorry to be the bearer of such joy.

As we're bringing joy to Tel's tale of woe...

Get it done NOW Tel - the oil will attack the seals in the master cylinder/s under the reservoir, so if left you could be facing an even bigger bill! Sorry mate - it's an easy mistake, but it could be fatal. Hope you'll not use the car until someone has sorted it out for you - good luck, and keep smiling!

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by telboy

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

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

tel

get it flushed asap, dont just do the reservoir, its needs a good bleed to flush out all the oil, it will boiol if hot, it may well attack you seals, your ok to drive it locally to a garage tho, just not fast and long distance. focus has pot directly on the master cylinder on ur model, so it will contaminate the brake lines before you can do owt about it

as has been said brake fliud if odd stuff, it absorbs moisture and thats what causes it to boil, it should be changed periodically any how. for that reason.
also when thay do it make sure they remove the rear bleed nipples completly and fluch out the corrosion, there prone to corode and leak on tightening, removing the nipple flushes out the debry and lets em re seal ok.

[telboy]

Is it sumthing i could do myself? The garages round here are right robdogs and will probably charge a fortune for it...which I don't have.

Any tips? if i can.

[big air]

Buy an automatic bleed kit which you connect to the tyre, bit like a footpump, fill it with new brake fluid and off you go easy and quicker.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEALEY-Brake-C...3286.m14.l1318

[sparrow.2]

Originally Posted by big air

Buy an automatic bleed kit which you connect to the tyre, bit like a footpump, fill it with new brake fluid and off you go easy and quicker.

Not quite as easy as you'd think and the consequences if not done right are no brakes, which is the worst thing I have ever had happen to me ever in a car!

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by telboy

Is it sumthing i could do myself? The garages round here are right robdogs and will probably charge a fortune for it...which I don't have.

Any tips? if i can.

tell all i can say is there your brakes, get it wrong and your carrying you misses/daughter and 2 unborns!!! surly no price can be put on risking that.

cars kill, thats why there are trained technicians who know what there doing, dont cut corners on this mate, changing oil etc ok but not brakes

if you fancy taking a plod to doncaster and get here for 4:30 ish one eve this week ill do it free of charge for you at the dealership

[Chrislong]

Tel, don't compromise your safety mate.

[mark christopher]

all sorted