Not being a chemist, I'm not sure how the seals will react. I've heard stories about seal swelling problems when adding a wrong fluids to a system. I had tried an experiment, setting seals into different fluids to monitor swelling over a period of a week with no conclusive results. Since the fluids are different, you don't know how the properties aside from swelling will affect the power steering. Such as how well it compresses, viscosity and so on. I would flush the system this week if it was mine. pukenstein@aol.com
Nothing good. Brake fluid is usually much higher density hydraulic fluid as well as different type than is Power Steering fluid. In vehicles with ABS systems it will damage sensors and seals, and in any vehicle it will result in spongy, poorly operating brakes and damaged seals.
If you're lucky and haven't driven the vehicle yet, DON'T. DO NOT operate the brakes, you may be able to remove the power steering fluid before you cause this damage. Use a turkey baster (seriously, they're cheap), or a syringe or similar device to drain your brake fluid reservoir of as much fluid as possible, refill with proper brake fluid, mix it a little if you can and drain it again to be sure. Refill the reservoir. You may wish to consult a mechanic about whether to flush the entire system or not afterwards.
Alternatively, if the brakes have been used, you could be looking at a very expensive repair bill. As mentioned above, power steering fluid will damage sensors and seals, which means every part that has either or both, will need to be replaced or have the seals replaced, AFTER the brake lines have been flushed. If your mechanic has already told you this, trust him, he's right.
it wont hurt anything both are hydrloic fluid they both do basicly the same thing ive always used brake fluid because of the cost betwine the two infact in older fords if the seals in the tranny are shot ive put a pint of brake fluid in it to make the seals swell i got about 50,000 miles outta a tranny that was suspose to be shot
If you only put a very small amount then it will do no harm. If your put more than a small amount it will destroy the pump.
The power steering fluid will destroy the seals in the hydraulic brake system in a very short time. Take it to a garage now, don't wait.
Not a good idea. I would have the power steering system flushed. In the long term it may lead to premature pump failure.
No!
yes, the real question is, how different is its odor from brake fluid odor?
Not as bad as putting a little bit of power steering fluid in the brake reservoir, but I would have the power steering system flushed just the same. Problems wouldn't happen soon but in the long term they will.
Its at the back and below the engine.. to fill it pull the dipstick marked POWER STEERING which is at the back of the engine to the left of the airfilter box.. and add fluid to the level marks on the dipstick
could be several places, power steering hose, rack and pinion (or steering gear box) or power steering pump.
No. Brake fluid is not a petroleum product. Power steering fluid is. Petroleum product will swell and ruin rubber part's brake system is full of rubber parts. You will destroy your brake system using power steering fluid.
Your power steering will fail because brake fluid is poor lubricant.
no, but if you have a auto transmission you can you can use that for power steering
No !
No!
Bad juju. Don't do it. If you've already done it, you'll probably have to have the power steering system flushed; brake fluid has significantly different characteristics from power steering fluid. Agree with above. It's pretty caustic, flush and get it out of there before you have problems.
Any fluid other than brake fluid will ruin the master cylinder, abs unit, brake hoses, and calipers.
NO !! POWER STEERING FLUID IS SIMILAR TO TRANSMISSION FLUID... BRAKE FUILD IS LIKE NOTHING ELSE
NO ! ( My Ford Explorer uses automatic transmission fluid as the power steering fluid )
facing engine (bonnet up) on right hand side near shock tower is BLACK reservoir with sensor wire in center of cap - this is power steering(white capped reservoir = brake )do not put brake fluid in power-steering or power-steering fluid in brake res. use power-steering fluid or auto trans fluid to top up
Both the power steering pump and the brake booster operate hydraulically. Putting brake fluid in the power steering pump will not harm it since brake fluid is a light oil only with different properties. I would only worry if it were the other way around and you put power steering fluid in the brake master cylinder. Power steering fluid doesn't have the heat range or density of brake fluid.
no, brake fluid is not the same as power steering fluid, make sure you actually get the right stuff. and double check what type of brake fluid you have (dot 3/ dot 5) because there is a difference there too