Brake fluid in the PAS reservoir

[mnemonix]

I'm an idot... bleeding my brakes and just realised I've topped my PAS reservoir with DOT 4 brake fluid instead of the brake reservoir

How bad is this? What do I have to do to remedy it? Help!

Chris.

[mnemonix]

My thinking at the moment is remove, drain, flush and refill the the PAS reservoir and I should be ok? The steering hasn't been disturbed since I did it so hopefully the brake fluid has just contaminated the reservoir which was topped up to the correct level before anyway. Where can I obtain the correct fluid - Halfords? Any input would be hugely appreciated.

[RayD]

Chris,

I wouldn’t do any flushing.

Because I have a suitable syringe in the garage that came from one of those printer cartridge refills, I’d use it to empty the reservoir then refill.

Ray

Edit: When you get the PAS fluid it might be interesting to see the result is of pouring brake fluid onto it in a glass container. It may for instance remain separate and float.

[mnemonix]

Thanks Ray,

I just emptied the reservoir with a turkey baster, so I'll just replace the fluid and see how it goes - hopefully the brakefluid won't have contaminated anything below the reservoir.

Chris.

[RayD]

Chris,

Just check what happens when you mix them first ... just on the off chance it sinks rapidly.

Ray

[mnemonix]

Well, not good news, I added bake fluid to a glass of PAS fluid and the brake fluid sank to the bottom, but didn't mix.

I've emptied the reservoir now but will the brake fluid have actually sunk down the pipes?

[RayD]

It's unlikely to happen again, but for future reference ... as I said to Chris via email ...

"According to the web ... the specific gravity of brake fluid is 1.04 and PAS fluid 0.87, so unless it's incapable of breaking through the surface when poured on top of PAS fluid, brake fluid will go to the bottom. Sometime in the near future it may be worth changing the PAS fluid if only for piece of mind" Ray

Chris if it does break through the surface under simular pouring conditions then it will have gone to the bottom unfortunatly.

[muley]

It's a bit late but I always drain my pas reservoir by disconnecting the low pressure pipe at the bottom, where it goes into the pump - it's a lot easier and you get rid of lots of fluid.

Hope the car is going fine otherwise

Rgds

Jim

[mnemonix]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the tip. Apart from this slip on my part, the car's still going extremely well. I've just fitted Bob's Hi-Spec conversion on the front, and have the parts ready for the hub & brake conversion at the rear too. Hopefully you'll get a chance to see her again at an event next year.

Cheers,

Chris.