A friend of mine inadvertently topped off his brake master clinder with a small amount of power steering fluid. Should he bleed the system or just leave it alone?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Chris, if I realized I made that mistake, I would immediately siphon the fill out of the MC, refill with fresh fluid, then flush the system thoroughly with about two or more quarts of fresh brake fluid, and hope for the best. Bleeding the air out would be a secondary priority.
Power steering fluid and brake fluid have nothing in common to my knowledge...brake fluid is glycol based and power steering fluid is a petroleum distillate with additive package. -
Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Chris, if I realized I made that mistake, I would immediately siphon the fill out of the MC, refill with fresh fluid, then flush the system thoroughly with about two or more quarts of fresh brake fluid, and hope for the best. Bleeding the air out would be a secondary priority.
Power steering fluid and brake fluid have nothing in common to my knowledge...brake fluid is glycol based and power steering fluid is a petroleum distillate with additive package.Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Assuming he has not touched the brake pedal since this happened is it possible that the fluid is still contained in the master cylinder?Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Assuming he has not touched the brake pedal since this happened is it possible that the fluid is still contained in the master cylinder?Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Possible, and likely. That's why I suggested siphoning out the MC. However, not flushing the system will incur some risk in my opinion.Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Possible, and likely. That's why I suggested siphoning out the MC. However, not flushing the system will incur some risk in my opinion.Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
The petroleum fluid might still be in the MC, depending on how much he added if the brakes have not been applied. I'm not sure if petroleum fluid floats on brake fluid, sinks through it, or mixes with it. If it was truly a small amount the suction and flush that Chuck suggests is worth a try. Might be worth replacing the gasket on the MC cover in either case. Even after the suck & flush it would be wise to be real careful with the brake application until one is sure there is no damage.TerryComment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
The petroleum fluid might still be in the MC, depending on how much he added if the brakes have not been applied. I'm not sure if petroleum fluid floats on brake fluid, sinks through it, or mixes with it. If it was truly a small amount the suction and flush that Chuck suggests is worth a try. Might be worth replacing the gasket on the MC cover in either case. Even after the suck & flush it would be wise to be real careful with the brake application until one is sure there is no damage.TerryComment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Terry, it all depends on the specific gravities of the two liquids. Like you, I don't know which is heavier, only that both are lighter than water.
If the power steering fluid is heavier, it will go to the bottom of the MC and into the orifices at the bottom, and system flushing will be necessary. I would start by disconnecting the first short line to the block at the left front, drain it dry, reconnect it and flush and bleed the entire system.
If the power steering fluid is lighter and floats on top of the brake fluid, he can probably draw the MC dry by working at the top fluid surface, wipe the inside of the MC clean, refill the MC, bleed the system and call it good.Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
Terry, it all depends on the specific gravities of the two liquids. Like you, I don't know which is heavier, only that both are lighter than water.
If the power steering fluid is heavier, it will go to the bottom of the MC and into the orifices at the bottom, and system flushing will be necessary. I would start by disconnecting the first short line to the block at the left front, drain it dry, reconnect it and flush and bleed the entire system.
If the power steering fluid is lighter and floats on top of the brake fluid, he can probably draw the MC dry by working at the top fluid surface, wipe the inside of the MC clean, refill the MC, bleed the system and call it good.Comment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
The vehicle in question is a 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser. It looks like a jeep on steroids. It has a dual master. He topped off the rear bowl with approx 1/4 inch of fluid. I will let him know that he has some work to be done to make things right.
It has rubber caps on the bowls with no gaskets.
I think to be on the save side he should do the whole system. I don't know if the steering fluid is heavier than the brake fluid. I asked him if he could see any difference in color of the fuid near the top of the bowl but he says there is no discernible difference.
Thanks for the advice.
ChrisComment
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Re: Non Vette Question - Brake Fluid & Powersteeri
The vehicle in question is a 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser. It looks like a jeep on steroids. It has a dual master. He topped off the rear bowl with approx 1/4 inch of fluid. I will let him know that he has some work to be done to make things right.
It has rubber caps on the bowls with no gaskets.
I think to be on the save side he should do the whole system. I don't know if the steering fluid is heavier than the brake fluid. I asked him if he could see any difference in color of the fuid near the top of the bowl but he says there is no discernible difference.
Thanks for the advice.
ChrisComment
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Is it OK...
... to giggle just a little about a 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser being discussed on this forum. I know, I know, I wish the brake pedal pusher no harm. DCComment
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Is it OK...
... to giggle just a little about a 1979 Toyota Land Cruiser being discussed on this forum. I know, I know, I wish the brake pedal pusher no harm. DCComment
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