Put a half bottle of power steering fluid in the brake fluid by mistake

Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 BUICK LESABRE
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,000 MILES
Drove approximately 10 miles and bought brake fluid, filled the power steering fluid then drove another mile and bought a turkey baster. I removed what I could from the brake master cylinder using the turkey baster. Then I filled the brake cylinder with new brake fluid. I then drove 10 miles home.
Monday, May 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

You have damaged the entire brake system. By adding that fluid to the master cylinder, you will need to change the master cylinder, calipers, brake hoses, front and rear, wheel cylinders in the rear and the ABS unit if you have ABS.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-bleed-or-flush-a-car-brake-system

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-abs-controller

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

The fluid has damaged all the rubber components and the rubber will swell up and fail.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-wheel-cylinder

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-caliper-replacement

Sorry, you have to replace all these items.

Roy
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 4:48 AM
Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I actually drove 25 miles before I removed all I could get from the master cylinder with the turkey baster and put the new brake fluid in then drove another twelve miles home. The brakes worked fine the whole time and were not mushy at all. Is it possible that I am the exception to the rule? This happened yesterday. The car sat overnight. Doe that matter?
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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No, sorry. It will take a little time before you notice the difference. Just be careful. The first sign of a brake issue means it is time to get it repaired.

Roy
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I was told by two mechanics that one, both fluids are hydraulic, one that brake fluid is the cause for expandable rubber. I agree with you that bleeding from the wheels is wrong to start with, to first pump the power steering contaminant up and back out of the master cylinder lines using pistons under calibers beginning at the wheel. I think that the car manufacturer holds part of the responsibility due to zero caps not having identification indicators and or warnings printed on them. After all, they color coat the oil and transmission fluid dipsticks. Even the radiator cap and the washer fluid and oil caps are identified with printed label descriptions! Knowing the make and model of the vehicle do you believe the car is worth replacing the entire brake system? Please help us. We are disabled and are on low incomes not that your awesome YouTube channel and website are top shelf and free. Thank you, by the way. PS. Also, would flushing the system be the same as bleeding the brakes? Again, I was also told by a friend who has a mechanic shop the exact same thing you said. Why no chemical product to flush the brake system for this very reason not exist. Is there a video on this problem on your YouTube channel?
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Tuesday, May 11th, 2021 AT 10:36 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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There is no additive to flush out the system and return to normal. The rubber has already been damaged and everything with rubber in the system must be replaced.

You would do the flush and bleed after all the parts have been replaced. Doing it now will have no effect on the failures.

Roy
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 3:49 AM
Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Would replacing the metal brake lines be advisable or worth the costs? If flushing the system without replacing the steal lines causes the system to be recontaminated?
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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You would flush the system before replacing any components.

The metal lines should be good

Roy
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Removing the contents from the brake fluid reservoir, IE: Master cylinder with a turkey baster the same day couldn't have prevented contaminating the brake system?
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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The system was contaminated in about 10 minutes. It went through the entire system in that short period of time.

Roy
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
MRBREEZE59
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
What would you do if you were me?
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Replace everything I listed. It is the only repair for this to keep you safe.

Roy
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Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 AT 6:30 PM

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