Member Since: 26 Nov 2011
Location: Tiptree
Posts: 146
Brake fluid in power steering reservoir
While in a rush this morning I did a silly school boy mistake and topped up the steering reservoir with dot4 I estimate that I put in about 50ml at the very most out of a max capacity is 3L.
Only saving grace is 1, it was in the Defender and not the D3, and 2, I noticed before I turned the engine over.
As quickly as I could on a 19 year old car with rusty clamps, removed the 2 pipes from the reservoir and drained it. The larger of the 2 pipes, the one going to the pump, I could get low and drain all the fluid. The other from the steering box is metal so could only get small amount out of the flexible pipe which goes back up to the reservoir.
Would like some advise on if this is sufficient and okay to use or should I still flush the completion system before using.
2005 D3 SE
1998 Disco 300tdi - slow play thing
1995 Defender 300tdi - Winching play thing
Aprilia RSV 1000 - fast play thing
Honda CR250 - noisy play thing
Member Since: 26 Nov 2011
Location: Tiptree
Posts: 146
Any suggestions?
17th Aug 2014 8:38 pm
Sydney
Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: St Neots
Posts: 903
As you didn't run it I would say it's OK however I personally would flush just to be sure. Short term it shouldn't cause any problems but long term is a bit grey area.De-Tango
V8 Brakes
EGRs blanked
Running boards
3 flash indicators and clock on dash
Blingy grille...
17th Aug 2014 8:45 pm
robbo770
Member Since: 29 Jan 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 2294
if you did it straight away and the fluid did not sink!! when poured in you should be okay with the suction to the pump and return being drained as much as possible, the power steering fluid absorbs water anyway so a fresh flush will do the rack some good anyway FFRR SC 4.2
Member Since: 26 Nov 2011
Location: Tiptree
Posts: 146
Thanks guys
Did a quick check and think the only place there could be any residue is in the return pipe. Based on this I think if I disconnect this pipe from the reservoir and turn the steering I should be able to push it out.
2005 D3 SE
1998 Disco 300tdi - slow play thing
1995 Defender 300tdi - Winching play thing
Aprilia RSV 1000 - fast play thing
Honda CR250 - noisy play thing
Member Since: 17 Aug 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 1918
A drop of brake fluid in the power steering fluid is a common fix for leaky steering boxes on Landrovers, it swells the seals and stops them leaking. You should be absolutely fine if you drained it.IID PRO
MSV Extreme
Nanocom One
17th Aug 2014 8:53 pm
Shutts
Member Since: 26 Nov 2011
Location: Tiptree
Posts: 146
Strange, the steering box is leaking so this might fix that 8) , as long as it doesn't damage the steering pump seals.
2005 D3 SE
1998 Disco 300tdi - slow play thing
1995 Defender 300tdi - Winching play thing
Aprilia RSV 1000 - fast play thing
Honda CR250 - noisy play thing
Member Since: 28 May 2014
Location: Belfast
Posts: 497
A small amount of brake fluid in the steering system is one of the quick solutions often used by defender and D2 owner to stop steering box leaks, so a may do no harm.
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I estimate that I put in about 50ml at the very most out of a max capacity is 3L.
