Urgent help - Water in power steering fluid reservoir

Urgent help - Water in power steering fluid reservoir

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Discussion

XMT

Original Poster:

3,779 posts

146 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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Hi All,

I made a real stupid mistake I think.
I basically wanted to top off my power steering fluid in a 2012 335i which has hydraulic steering
I stupidly used a jug that we use for water - As far as I know the jug was empty and looked dry, I poured around 150-200ml of the power steering fluid into the jug and it sat in there for around 5 minutes.

I then topped up the reservoir and there was around 100ml left in the jug. When I looked at it tho there was some small "drops" (of water) in there, and that is when it clicked that I should have made sure the jug was actually dry.

I have checked online and everyone is like oh st drain out asap etc etc etc

2 things I wanted to check is one, is it any different because its a hydraulic system and secondly can I get away with emptying the top black reservoir tank and refilling it with fluid from the actual can.

I think at the very very very most there might have been a tea spoon of water in the jug - maybe not even that - just panicking and dont want to cause damage to the car.

KungFuPanda

4,324 posts

169 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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I wouldn't bother doing anything to be honest.

eliot

11,364 posts

253 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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i dont think a few small drops will hurt

XMT

Original Poster:

3,779 posts

146 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
quotequote all
ok so I just checked - I think it was literally 3 drops of water. I just checked the same jug and poured some hydraulic fluid in it and whisked it a little and it looks worse than it is because of lots of tiny bubbles.

My thinking is the 5 minutes I left the jug for- the water would have settled at the bottom so even then hardly anything would have went into the reservoir.

I have not moved the car or switch it on or anything so just for safe meaure the pipe that is coming out of the reservoir I will take off, drain the reservoir flush a little fluid through it for good measure and connet pipe back on and refil.


Ynox

1,702 posts

178 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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I really wouldn't worry if you say it's only drops!

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
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in theory water will sink to the bottom. Is there a drain off at the lowest bit. But if it was me, take it out for a run, use the steering a bit come back, take cap off leave for a bit. put back on and forget about it.

XMT

Original Poster:

3,779 posts

146 months

Tuesday 27th September 2016
quotequote all
The Spruce goose said:
in theory water will sink to the bottom. Is there a drain off at the lowest bit. But if it was me, take it out for a run, use the steering a bit come back, take cap off leave for a bit. put back on and forget about it.
I will have a look in the morning in the light if there is a lower point I can easily access without too much hassle.

Like you I thought that it would warm up and evaporateand if I take off the lid it would clear, it is only a few drops- might not even be that much!

Ill try find a lower access point and if not I will just empty the tank is I think the bulk of water if anything will be in here - the pipe comes out of the side so I doubt there has been much that has went down there. As I said it will literally only 100ml I topped up

TwyRob

312 posts

110 months

Wednesday 28th September 2016
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The power steering on my car ran on almost pure engine oil for what seems like 4 years before I bought it. (based on an MOT history mention of a related oil leak) It has a poorly designed arrangement where the pump runs directly from the engine rather than on a belt and the oil seal isn't properly designed to cope with the heat. Therefore oil eventually finds its way into the reservoir, forces the PS fluid out and then eventually overflows all down the reservoir to cause a big oil leak when it really lets go. Easy fix, if you care about your car at all and can google. Previous owner obviously couldn't.

Anyway, if mine coped with that then I'm sure 3 drops of water will be fine.