brake fluid in the power steering

[DrRick]

I saw my 84 year old dad today and he told me His brakes were growling and he put some brake fluid in the engine to get it to stop> You may have guessed that he put brake fluid in the power steering reservoir that feeds the power booster in the 99 gmc crew cab. I intend to get a baster bulb and remove all I can and refill with power steering fluid, then drive for a few hours and repeat the above a few more times. Am I going to trash the system by not draining and flushing ?? or will the dot 3 cause that much of a problem?
rick Roberts

 

[DieselPower]

I would get it out as fast as possible and flush it out a couple of times. Brake fluid's some funny stuff and may lead to all kinds of problems if it's left in there. One big problem is that since brake fluid absorbs moisture and the power steering pump is free vented to the outside air it will draw in alot of water. Water in a hydraulic pump leads to pump cavitation, rust and corrosion.

 

[DrRick]

I was aware of the hygrospic nature of the brake fluid, and I am told that it was designed to be kind to rubber products, however the seals in the pump are something I was worried about. I will try to get it purged well. My dad had a stroke a year ago and doesn't like to admit that he cannot remember a few things. I gave him the truck 2 years ago and feel like I need to stay on top of the maintenance. Gotta take care of our parents, I owe them big.
rick

 

[john_bud]

Sorry to hear about the issues with your dad.

Take off the return line to the pump. Put it in a bucket or bottle. Plug the return on the pump reservoir. Have a VERY TRUSTED helper start and stop the engine while you keep it filled. Have them crank, when it starts count to 2 then shut off. Adjust as needed. Plan on using up to 10 times the stated volume of fluid. Once you have clean fluid coming out, turn the wheels all the way to the left. Repeat the start & stop & refill dance until it is clear again. Turn the wheels all the way to the right and repeat.

Hook it back up and idle it while turning the wheels lock to lock 10 times.

Suck out some fluid from the reservoir and see if it is still clean. If not, back to step #1.


You may be able to short step this process by taking the hoses off of the cylinder and reservoir and with the front jacked up, move the wheels side to side until no more gushes out. It's even more messy....

jb

 

[KICK]

I suspect it wont hurt anything.

have seen nearly everything get mixed with everything else by accident at my job over the years, with varying degrees of consequences.

also potential for problem depends on amount.

best thing with least amount of effort would be to drain as much from the resevoir as you can and add the right stuff.

I dont seem to recall seeing brake fluid mixed with any other type of oil turning into goo or sludge