Wrong Fluids. Help please.

terry0

I put power-steering fluid into break fluid "thingy" in error a couple of months back. Just got a RED LIGHT on the dash. Manual indicates " low break fluid". How much damage would I have done ? How dangerous is it to drive at the mo ? How would it be rectified and V. important how much should it cost. 02 Punto ~ electronic power-steering appearantly !!!
Many Thanks,
Terry0 ( not a blonde):D

anon11

lol for a start puntos as far as i know have electric power steering and dont need to be topped on with oil. As for putting steering fluid into in the brake cylinder, it can do damage to brake cylinders and in turn your brakes could fail! Oil on rubber seals in these cylinders can cause them to swell up and leak brake fluid:)

terry0

Thanks for the quick reply Anon11. Bad scenario it seems. Think it's leeking break fluid alredy:eek:. Any idea how much to rectify the error ?
I'm thinking of throwing the car out in the garbage anyway as the power steering is dodgy and it sure isn't worth while having that fixed. Maybe can get an 05 Golf 1.9 Gti. 95,000 mls for 8k, Is this a good price ?

Moanin

terry0 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Anon11. Bad scenario it seems. Think it's leeking break fluid alredy:eek:. Any idea how much to rectify the error ?
I'm thinking of throwing the car out in the garbage anyway as the power steering is dodgy and it sure isn't worth while having that fixed. Maybe can get an 05 Golf 1.9 Gti. 95,000 mls for 8k, Is this a good price ?

Are you sure its not a TDI that price is for? If it's a TDI then it's a good price once that car is clean.......

terry0

To be honest Moanin I'm not sure, pub talk you know !:rolleyes: However you seem to be intimating that whether its a Gti or a Tdi its seems inexpensive Will research it further tonight, soberererer:cool:

Moanin

terry0 wrote: »

To be honest Moanin I'm not sure, pub talk you know !:rolleyes: However you seem to be intimating that whether its a Gti or a Tdi its seems inexpensive Will research it further tonight, soberererer:cool:

GTI = Petrol engine
TDI = Diesel engine

craichoe

terry0 wrote: »

I put power-steering fluid into break fluid "thingy" in error a couple of months back. Just got a RED LIGHT on the dash. Manual indicates " low break fluid". How much damage would I have done ? How dangerous is it to drive at the mo ? How would it be rectified and V. important how much should it cost. 02 Punto ~ electronic power-steering appearantly !!!
Many Thanks,
Terry0 ( not a blonde):D

Whole brake system will have to be checked out, all sorts of wear will occur in the piping and seals with Power Steering fluid in it.

terry0

craichoe wrote: »

Whole brake system will have to be checked out, all sorts of wear will occur in the piping and seals with Power Steering fluid in it.

O.K. Craichoe thanks. Any idea of how much it would cost ? worse case scenario and best case scenario. Or is that a "How long is a piece of string" question ?

terry0

Moanin wrote: »

GTI = Petrol engine
TDI = Diesel engine

O.K. Moanin, get that petrol ~ diesel thing. But does it represent good value for money in either case or only if its a diesel ?

mickdw

God that could be very dodgy after running around with that fluid in the brake system.
If no leaks at all after using it, well it may not have caused a problem at all. If however there is a leak which can be blamed on this fluid, I wouldnt be happy with that car at all again as the brake system is likely to leak in many places. So really, get it checked out and if it has damaged any seal, get everything changed or scrap it.

Muckie

Flush and change the brake fluid, could be lucky with no damage

bein caused to the seals. Get a diagnosic check done on your car.

Power steering fault should come up could be a simple fault. All

might not be lost!

terry0

Muckie wrote: »

Flush and change the brake fluid, could be lucky with no damage

bein caused to the seals. Get a diagnosic check done on your car.

Power steering fault should come up could be a simple fault. All

might not be lost!

Thanks muckie,
Simple's my middle name.:) Price anyone for flushing and diagnostic?

slimjimmc

terry0 wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Anon11. Bad scenario it seems. Think it's leeking break fluid alredy:eek:. Any idea how much to rectify the error ?
I'm thinking of throwing the car out in the garbage anyway as the power steering is dodgy and it sure isn't worth while having that fixed. Maybe can get an 05 Golf 1.9 Gti. 95,000 mls for 8k, Is this a good price ?

The fluid level will drop a bit over many months as your brake pads wear, that's absolutely normal. Anything quicker is suspicious so you should get it checked by a mechanic straight away. Either ways, you need to flush your brake system with fresh brake fluid, that in itself is an easy job for a mechanic. Tracing the source of a leak and fixing it could take a few hours depending on where it is.

Muckie

This my guess now. Diagnostic €35-€45 and flushing the system an

hours labour for a mechanic plus the fluid. So i'd be thinking €100 odd.

Try a few mechanic, tell them what you want done. Not a major job

either. So don't let them charge you mad prices.