screen wash in wrong container

[neel1223]

hi
i own a 1999 clio 1.4, and accidently put water and screen wash into the wrong container. im not sure what i put it into it, the fluid in there was low and i assumed it was for the screen wash. it has steering wheel logo on the cap, and is located directly below the actual screen washer container, could it be power steering fluid??

the fluid has turned to a pink like goo

anyone have any idea what should i do? or if this has caused loads of damage or something. i did use the car shortly after and everything seemed ok

thanks for you help

-neel

[XA04]

Definitely sounds like the fluid for the power steering.

It will need to be flushed so I recommend not to use your car until you have.

Someone else will have to post on how to flush it though, or if you want you could just take it to a garage and ask them to do it.

[Butcher]

Take it (or get it towed if there's not one near) to a garage and get them to flush it before you screw the power steering up.

Could have been worse, at least it wasn't the brake fluid.

[BenW]

Surely its ok to drive as a lot of older cars make do without power steering?

[neel1223]

yeah thats what i was thinking......though i suppose water heats up more or something which could probably damage steering thingy bits in the car

though i havent used the car since anyway, just incase

taking it to a mechanic tomorrow to have it flushed

thank you for all your help guys

[chuckskull]

Surely its ok to drive as a lot of older cars make do without power steering?

Yes but the older cars are connected by rack and pinion. Modern power steering is a few wires and a pump. If the pump doesn't work for some reason (like having screenwash instead of the correct fluid) then you got no steering.

[BenW]

Ah....yea, i can see the problem with that!

[CocoPops]

Just call the AA, say you're a dumb blonde (you may need to dye your hair) and they will come out.

I certainly wouldn't advise driving it without clearing the system first.

[badass]

Yes but the older cars are connected by rack and pinion. Modern power steering is a few wires and a pump. If the pump doesn't work for some reason (like having screenwash instead of the correct fluid) then you got no steering.

Not quite - cars with power steering are rack and pinion aswell - they are just assisted with the power steering rams. However simply disconecting the power steering whether by removing the belt in a belt driven car or the electric pump with electric power steering cars will wreck the system.
I have little doubt that using it when there's water in it will also wreck it.

[neel1223]

so does that mean it would or wouldnt be ok to drive to the mechanic? it wouldnt be a very long drive but i'd hate to ruin the whole system

[chuckskull]

Not quite - cars with power steering are rack and pinion aswell - they are just assisted with the power steering rams. However simply disconecting the power steering whether by removing the belt in a belt driven car or the electric pump with electric power steering cars will wreck the system.
I have little doubt that using it when there's water in it will also wreck it.

Theres a big difference between power assisted and power steering. This is why some cars lose steering if the engine cuts out. Whichever system the car has(i dont know, never been under the bonnet of one). It's certainly not a good idea to drive it.

[Konan555]

If you loose the power steer, it will be extremely heavy, more so than the same car without PS as the ratios are different.

If you've lost your power steering, it's probably because you've killed off the pump

My advice? Don't run the engine till it's clear.

[Howard]

Erm..

Power steering is power steering.. It's either electric or hydraulic

Some really fancy cars have systems of varying complexity, but the basics are there. You can still steer if the engine cuts out, it's just heavier.


And yes, putting water or screen wash into the fluid container isn't good. Lol.

[badass]

Theres a big difference between power assisted and power steering. This is why some cars lose steering if the engine cuts out. Whichever system the car has(i dont know, never been under the bonnet of one). It's certainly not a good idea to drive it.

All "power steering" is in fact PAS.
The "Power steering" you talk about as if it exists would be illegal in this country in the same way that cars that drive themselves are.

[5lab]

yeah, you're thinking of a drive-by-wire system, which doesnt exist (for those exact reasons). the only reason you'd *loose* steering is if the steering lock came on, if you took the key out/turned off the ignition. a modern car with broken pas is a LOT heavier than an old car, because they're not designed for that (so no thought was made for weight over the front wheels etc when designing).

back to origonal poster.. i'd not drive it myself - screenwash has some fairly strong stuff in it, which i think could cause a bit of havok to the insides of the pump.. phone yer mechanic up, ask him.. he might have an a-frame he can get your car to his place on (or get a mobile mechanic to come out and do it all where the car is now

[poolking]

If you've got breakdown cover with an option for them to come to your home, I'd call them out, they maybe even kind enough to tow your car to your local garage, but I doubt you'll get any joy on a sunday, I doubt many garages will be open.