accidentally put oil in power steering...how bad?
 

I didn't know where the oil went, and the power steering reservoir wasn't labeled, and the fluid inside looked dark enough to be motor oil, so I added about 1/4 cup when I realized the error in my actions.

How much damage did I do?

I DIDN'T turn on the truck and luckily, it was only ~47 degrees out, so I started the motorcycle and immediately ran to Lowe's to get a syringe, but they did not have one.

Then I ran over to NAPA, but they were closed (remember, it's Sunday 4:30pm).

So I ran over to Wal-Mart, and luckily they had a hand-operated siphon pump that looked strong enough to pick up oil. So I ran back to truck sucked out all the oil AND power steering fluid, filled it, sucked it, filled it, sucked it, then finally turned on the engine. I drove around, and didn't notice much difference.

Will I be alright?

I figure most of the oil was siphoned out, so it'll make a negligible difference at best.

i dont no if it would hurt i suspect not but i am not sure

Should be fine if you got most of it out.

PS. I don't think oil and ps fluid would mix, the oil would prolly be all on top.

you refilled the PS tank then right?

yes, it's refilled

I think it's actually a good thing, because before I added oil to it, the fluid was low to begin with.

And no, fortunately the oil and PS fluid don't mix. Unfortunately the oil seemed to be denser than the PS fluid and it all slowly sank to the bottom.

It should be fine. It will get mixed up eventually.
As long as you didnt fill the power steering reservior to the top.

1. your a dumbass
2. nice save:) it will be fine

lol ditto, its alright tho we all had our stupids. :beerchug:

Hahahahahaha. lolol. Sorry.

The specific gravity of motor oil is power steering fluid varies slightly based on the manufacturer and type. They are both very similar with oil tending to be a few 100th's heavier. This is good for you since it wouldn't sink like rock to the lowest point in the system. It sounds like you got most if not all of it and if any little remains, it will probably have no effect.

If it makes you feel any better, my mother one time decided to refill her washer fluid tank on her own (for the first and last time!). She just looked for a bottle that looked like it might be washer fluid. So she then proceeded to fill her washer fluid tank with 2-cycle model airplane fuel. That was all kinds of fun to clean up...

No need to be rude. We've all made mistakes.

If you put PS Fluid in the oil system, you'd be S.O.L. But since it was the other way around, you SHOULD be all right, but don't quote me on it. If I remember correctly, all the PS fluid does is act as a hydraulic agent, in which case, any fluid will work, but a certain viscosity will work best (hence PS fluid). Therefore, you may notice a tighter/looser steering wheel untill you bleed and refill the system. My concern is that if you where using 5w or maybe even 10w oil, the oil would be thicker than the PS fluid, and settle to the bottom of the tank.. Either way, it shouldn't be a big deal. If you know how, just bleed the system and refill it. If you don't know how, a mechanic will do it for under $100, maybe more like $50

oh my lol thats crazy

you guys are asses :laugh:

But I drove it to my friend's place and back with almost no difference in its operation. If any oil actually made it into the power steering, it would have by now, so I think I should be ok.

Specific Gravity? lol.

I hope you meant to say "the density of motor oil is heavier than power steering fluid." but tried too hard to impress us.


had to point that out.

Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a material to the density of distilled water at standard conditions. So, lower specific gravity implies lower density.

Comparing the specific gravities of two liquids is a legitimate way to predict which will float on the other.

"Had to point that out."

Like ducks in a barrel.....

Umm. No. I meant to say exactly what I said... specific gravity. It seems you don't know what you're talking about and tried too hard to impress us.

Had to point that out.

k, i was wrong.

but c'mon, it does sound pretty ridiculous having not heard it before.

I concur.

Thats funny!

I dont care who you are thats funny right there!

yeah, shoot.

Not really :thumbsdow .... and if I hadn't heard of it (or anything else for that matter), I would look it up! As opposed to assuming because I haven't heard of it before, it must not exist and make some smart ass, uneducated, rude remark like that.

easy ladies, easy...

Can we call this the turkey baster mod?

Glad you got it fixed up.

well if you have a owners manual look in it for fluid type and specs, on older fords the power steering fluid was actuley transmission fluid type F