Stupid things I do
polycounter lvl 19
I have always been afraid of screwing up and putting the windshield fluid into where the brake fluid goes. I read the container just to make sure, read it wrong, to boot and poured windshield fluid into the brake fluid. :poly115: I stopped because something seemed wrong, the container was full to where the brake fluid was supposed to be.
Now to the point. What problems can this cause me? My main concern is will my brakes fail if I do nothing about this, or will they just fail at some point whenever they feel like it. I imagine the brake fluid can be drained and flushed and new brake fluid can be added, and that will solve my problem is this true?
Feel free to laugh, but feedback besides learn to fix your car would be very helpful. Thanks.
Alex
Now to the point. What problems can this cause me? My main concern is will my brakes fail if I do nothing about this, or will they just fail at some point whenever they feel like it. I imagine the brake fluid can be drained and flushed and new brake fluid can be added, and that will solve my problem is this true?
Feel free to laugh, but feedback besides learn to fix your car would be very helpful. Thanks.
Alex
Replies
ok, seriously, don't drive your car if you can avoid it. You'll probably be able to stop a few times, but as the washer fluid works into your system, it will make it harder to stop, and eventually fail (badly). You need to syphon out as much as you can, of ALL the fluid from the resevoir. I'm not sure if that will cover it. You may need to actually disconnect the line at each wheel and drain them too. It's going to take a lot of time, work, and fluid to redo this, but you definitely don't want any of that stuff in your line.
Honestly, even if you want it professionally flushed, I wouldn't drive it there... or at least have someone go with you, and follow them in case your brakes fail.
Well it sounds like my tax refund is going to fix this crap or I might as well just go and buy a new car, since I'm sick of this one already.
I did have to drive home after I did this and it was stopping fine, but I suspect it's only a matter of time.
Alex
Your brake calipers have a little bolt on them that you loosen to drain the fluid. Just loosen the one furthest from the driver's position (right-rear wheel), put a coffee can under the valve to catch the fluid, and then start pumping the brakes until no more fluid comes out. Then start adding the new fluid to the reservoir and pump the brakes some more until you see fluid start to come out again (once you start adding the new fluid, just make sure the reservoir stays full because you don't want air in the line... keep adding more fluid after every couple pumps of the brake pedal). Once you see fluid squirting out, close the valve by tightening the bolt. Then do the same thing to each corner, working your way towards the driver's position (so next would be the left-rear corner, then the right-front corner, and finally the left-front corner).
I've only ever done it on a truck with plenty of ground clearance, so we didn't have to jack it up or anything, we just crawled underneath. With a car you'd probably have to jack up the corner you're working and remove the wheel to get access, which would take a bit more time, but not any more difficult than changing a tire... definitely worth the effort if it saves you a couple hundred.
[edit] Check your car's manual, it might have a section on the procedure for bleeding the brake system. It's the type of thing a manual should have, but now a days car manuals usually just have brain-dead safety stuff like "the trunk is not intended for passengers" or "keep limbs inside the moving vehicle at all times," and real maintenance stuff is usually limited to "take your car to the nearest dealer for service." Bah.
Again, though, for adding a completely different fluid to the lines (not to mention one that'll break down and much lower temps than brake fluid), I'd highly recommended getting the lines flushed.
If it was...wonder if you can get warranty ???
The biggest thing with doing it myself would be how to dispose of the brake fluid in a legal way, the same deal goes with flushing it. There is probably some fee I have to pay so I don't the see point of going through the hassle considering I don't have the tools to do this safely. If I had a lift I would do it myself but I don't. Also I don't want to worry if I did it right or not. Taking off the tires and doing whatever if that's required is fairly easy to do once you have the car in the air and don't have to worry about it falling on your head. The days of fixing your car yourself are long gone. I don't mind getting my hands dirty but I need the thing to work and be safe. Since I know I don't have the training to do something about it I'll just bite the bullet and take it to a shop wait a few hour, then see my money go away and move on.
Thanks for the feedback. Later.
Flaagan but life is short so I drive really fast.... Just make a lame joke here. How is your Barricuda coming along?
Alex
As far as getting rid of fluids, 'round here we're able to leave a jug out with the weekly recycle, or take 'em to a local recycle facility if it's more caustic or dangerous stuff.
I would probably have agreed with Keyser about doin the whole job yourself and not worrying about it if it was some other high-temp fluid (transmission oil, engine oil, etc), but since it's wiper fluid, it's something that could potentially damage the brake line gaskets and whatnot if not properly cleaned out.
I cleaned out the car and I'm wondering if the guy was trying to rip me off. I'll be calling a place to pick it up and junk it.
Alex
I second that. Also may not hurt to take it to a stealer... uh.. er.. dealership and see what their show has to say about it. If you keep hearing the same thing... maybe it is time to get rid of it and get a better ride.