The stupidest thing I have ever done...

[87Blue325iC]

Brake fluid light has been coming on and off, I'm going to put S/S lines on this weekend and change the brake fluid anyway, so in the mean time I just topped off the system with some DOT 4.

Been reading some old posts for hints and tips on changing the lines and bleeding the brakes, and in the process ran across an old post on another forum about somebody who put brake fluid in his power steering resevior by mistake. I smugly thought, "Ha! Dumbass!" and moved on...but then got the sick sinking feeling that maybe I should have cracked open the manual and actually confirmed where the brake fluid resevoir was. Sure enough, I have since found that I put DOT 4 into the brown, ball shaped power steering resevoir! Been driving around for about a week like this.

After everyone gets done gleefully pointing out what a dumb-ass I am, could somebody fill me in on what the implications are of this?

[Garageaholic]

I dont know the implications.. just bleed and re-fill....if you aren't noticing any differences, then it shouldn't be that much of a big deal to the system..

that is fawesome... fuckin' awesome... how ironic huh? ...

[Hick]

And when yo do, DONT put PS fluid in there. The system calls for ATF [Automatic Transmission Fluid]

[Garageaholic]

I've had ps fluid in there and have had no problems for a year so far...

[ldsbeaker]

^^ tsk, tsk... Bentley calls for ATF... It will be better if you comply. In fact, I think that my rack stopped leaking and has been acting nicer since I started running ATF in it.. (yeah, I ran around filling it for 2 years with PS fluid) Too bad I'm switching to the Z3 rack next week.. hehehe (ATF only in that rack, I will guarantee you that) ;)

[RobertK]

Brake Fluid in the PS Res?

Start saving up for a new rack. There is the potential for the brake fluid to eat out the seals in the rack.. which tend to go out easy enough in these car even when using ATF.

[87Blue325iC]

I feel better now...haven't fixed the DOT 4 in the PS issue yet, but just got done installing my s/s brake lines and changing the brake fluid. Did the rears without dropping the subframe like everyone seems to think needs to be done.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

DOT 3 & 4 are glycol based, which is pretty corrosive. I would fix the PS problem before I even worried about installing SS brake lines. Your rack could get seriously damaged.

[Garageaholic]

I feel better now...haven't fixed the DOT 4 in the PS issue yet, but just got done installing my s/s brake lines and changing the brake fluid. Did the rears without dropping the subframe like everyone seems to think needs to be done.

How in the world did you do that??? any rust under there to deal with?

[87Blue325iC]

How in the world did you do that??? any rust under there to deal with?

It is a PIA! The trick is to remove the exhaust heat shield and it's rear two mounts to give you a little more clearance/room for the wrench. Still a major pain and it took about 2.5 hours just on those two lines. You will need a 11mm flare end wrench and a very long and thin 14mm or 9/16th wrench to make it work. Wear goggles - lots of dirt and rust will be dropping right onto your face. Expect to get very frustrated...

[Rocla]

Cars made for cold climate had CHF fluid for PS.

There is a sticker near the resevoir which tells you what fluid has been used from factory.

You can use both ATF or CHF for e30 PS system, but not mixed, system must be flushed if you change the type of fluid.