Engine Oil into ATF

jamieh

Hi all,

STUPIDLY just put some engine oil into the 'ATF oil' on my 320Cd BMW.

I probably powered in about 100ml before realising what I was doing.

I think the ATF is where the power steering fluid/oil is meant to go.

Would some engine oil in there do much damage?

It won't do any harm in the short term (in 100ml quantity) but you should get it flushed really (I'd go about getting it booked in this week really). Engine oil isn't at all suitable in a power steering system. Power steering is a hydraulic system so operates under high pressures, engine oil won't cut the mustard as a hydraulic oil.

jamieh

Thanks for the reply.

I managed to get a syringe and get most of the oil out.

I didn't start the car at all so I'm hoping it didn't get a chance to go anywhere.

I'll get the fluid flushed anyway over the weekend. Is this a big job?

ek9er

ATF is automatic transmission fluid no? The red stuff

mickdw

I wouldnt run that at all til flushed. I might be wrong but I have visions of that fluid turning into a frothy mess within the system.

ek9er

ek9er wrote: »

ATF is automatic transmission fluid no? The red stuff

Yep, that's the tack

jamieh wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

I managed to get a syringe and get most of the oil out.

I didn't start the car at all so I'm hoping it didn't get a chance to go anywhere.

I'll get the fluid flushed anyway over the weekend. Is this a big job?

I imagine the engine oil would have only sat on top if the ATF in the reservoir if the car wasn't ran at all, your syringe tactic may well have gotten most of it out, if what came out if yellow with not much red in it and is approx 100mls you may well have been successful.

To flush it they'll just run the power steering pump to circulate what's in there, drain and refill with fresh stuff, not a big job by any means really I would think. I'm not at all familiar with BMW power steering systems but conceptually it shouldn't be a bad job.

Might well be unnecessary tbh if you've gotten 90 odd percent of it out.

colm_mcm

Isn't ATF auto transmission fluid?

W.Shakes-Beer

colm_mcm wrote: »

Isn't ATF auto transmission fluid?

Thats what I was thinking...

PaulKK

colm_mcm wrote: »

Isn't ATF auto transmission fluid?

On an E46 at least, thats what the power steering system uses.

I presume several other models do too.

ek9er

PaulKK wrote: »

On an E46 at least, thats what the power steering system uses.

I presume several other models do too.

Atf is often used as power steering fluid. I'm just concerned that the op has added engine oil to the gearbox

Turner

Suck all the oil out of the reservoir with a turkey baster (suck it dry), and refil with atf.

Turn engine on, turn wheel from full lock left to right a few times.

Suck out all fluid in atf reservoir and refil with atf.

repeat 4 or 5 times.

Done.

Turner

ek9er wrote: »

Atf is often used as power steering fluid. I'm just concerned that the op has added engine oil to the gearbox

I would say he put the engine oil into this..




Which is the power steering reservoir.