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Doing something not so smart covers REPAIR SHOPS also, so don't feel bad. Being in the REPAIR trade, many of US have at one time or another committed a BOO BOO, including myself with no exception. The NO BRAINER of all some years past heard of a shop adding BRAKE FLUID to a vehicle that ended the shop doing a $2000.00 BRAKE REPAIR JOB to satisfy the customer. PROBLEM ?????? They worked on a ROLLS ROYCE that needed MINERAL OIL, NOT BRAKE FLUID PER SE. Stefhen
well,that is a possibility. found this doing a quick search.
Mineral Based Brake Fluids.(LHM Fluids)
A few vehicles, including Citroen and Rolls Royce, use a mineral or petroleum based central hydraulic system, which also powers the brakes. To do this the brake system is fitted with special rubber components that are compatible with petroleum products. LHM is NOT compatible with conventional brake systems, nor are conventional Brake Fluids compatible with systems requiring mineral oil. Failure to use the correct fluid may result in total brake failure
I accidently filled the power steering fluid reservior with 10W-30 synthetic oil.
The power steering reservior has developed a leak and was dry, by the way. My questions are thus:
1) Will it cause further damage to drive the van to a repair shop to both flush the PS fluid and repair the leak?
2) Should I drain and flush myself before taking the van in to get the leak fixed? If so, how do I find the PS reservior? I looked underneath, but didn't immediately see where it was.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Didn't know anyone else did that - or would admit to it. I guess I can 'fess up too now that I have company. Look at it this way - neither one of us will ever make that mistake again. (btw, mechanic smiled -- uttered not a word -- pumped it out, and filled it with the right fluid. Car ran another 100K miles.)
Actually the 10-30 oil may tend to reduce the leaking.
PS fluid is essentially automatic transmission fluid. It would not hurt to suck out the mixture you have and replace it with PS fluid (or ATF) but no panic. You say the PS reservoir is leaking - is the leak actually just from the reservoir, from the pump, or from the steering rack (or gear) ?
BTW avoid cranking the wheels back and forth with the van not moving, that puts a strain on the system, I realize in some urban environments it can't be avoided, but particularly when the system is cold this tends to get leaks started. Try to be rolling forward or backwards when turning the steering wheel.
There are "nostrums" that you can buy to add to the system that claim to be able to swell the seals and stop leaks. Sometimes they help. Might be worth a try before doing a more correct but more expensive repair.
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