PLEASE HELP! re: power-steering resevoir

[DaveyB7]

i've been an idiot and put WATER in the power-steering resevoir!

a mate of mine who's very mechanically minded says not to worry and it shouldn't do any long term damage as i didn't put a lot of water in.

But what do people think? will i be ok or should i get it bled?

 

[Fred@BTM]

drain and refill ASAP

 

[DaveyB7]

how do i drain? is it ok to drive for a bit?

 

[Fred@BTM]

i wouldn't, but pull the return pipe off the pas pump, turn the engine over by hand a good few times etc

 

[DaveyB7]

ah ok, thanks mate. i need to drive 40 miles to nottingham. will it do it long-term damage? i'll check it over at weekend...

 

[Fred@BTM]

a new PAS pump isn't cheap mate, your risk!

 

[DaveyB7]

i wonder why my mate said i shouldn't worry? i hardly put any water in at all and as soon as i did it, i drained a bit out. what u think?

 

[Fred@BTM]

if you put diesel into your petrol tank what would you do?

 

[stu-172]

Pull the pipe off, start the engine and move the steering wheel from lock to lock several times. Then replace the fluid!

 

[DaveyB7]

drain it and refuel.... i guess. but it was only a TINY amount of water and the fluid in the PAS resevoir doesn't appear to be too thin. r u a mechanic?

 

[Fred@BTM]

^thats the messy way to do it

 

[Fred@BTM]

well i've seen PAS pumps fail for various reasons, a few of which have set on fire, your choice, but for 1hrs work is it worth risking?

 

[DaveyB7]

not worth the risk no. r u a mechanic?

 

[Fred@BTM]

qualified mechanical engineer specialising in motorsport, so yeah kinda

 

[davebem]

Slightly off subject, but how did you get water in it?

 

[DaveyB7]

that'll do me lol. is the way the other person said quick enuf to do? can u drive the car straight after?

 

[DaveyB7]

quite embarrassing.... mistook it for the engine coolant. realised my mistake straight away and stressed like mad!! i've drove it 20mins to work and back and so far ok but don't wana cause long-term damage!

 

[DaveyB7]

just had a look under the engine... looks complicated.
i've also got a "rattling" noise when the engine's running but idle. been advised the cam's wearing away? any ideas anyone please?

 

[stu-172]

Where's the rattle coming from?

 

[stu-172]

^thats the messy way to do it

Yea, but it works!

 

[MATT BLACK]

Your PAS fluid also lubricates the bearings on your PAS pump. It will be the same effect as topping your engine oil up with water. The pas fluid will go a creamy colour, the pump will collapse and you will also need a new PAS rack.

 

[DaveyB7]

the "rattling" noise is apparantly coming from the cam? only notice it when i first start the ignition....

 

[DaveyB7]

as for the PAS fluid... it's like a pinky colour. neither thick nor thin.

 

[stu-172]

the "rattling" noise is apparantly coming from the cam? only notice it when i first start the ignition....

Could be a sticky hydraulic tappet?

 

[DaveyB7]

Could be a sticky hydraulic tappet?[/quote]


if it is, is that expensive?

 

[stu-172]

You can buy oil additive in any motorfactors to release them. For about £5 it's a cheap fix before ripping the head apart?

 

[DaveyB7]

STP oil? but wouldn't thta only be a shot-term solution?

 

[stu-172]

Not sure mate, but wud be worth a try as taking the cams out isn't an easy job!

 

[Fred@BTM]

drain the engine oil, pour in 1.5L of cheap stuff and 3L of diesel (yes diesel!) plus an engine flush and take it for a spin for 20min giving the engine some load

drain it all out and whack in fresh good oil


*don't take me to court if your engine goes bang!

 

[edde]

quite embarrassing.... mistook it for the engine coolant. realised my mistake straight away and stressed like mad!! i've drove it 20mins to work and back and so far ok but don't wana cause long-term damage!

Shoulnd't use water for the coolent though anyway.

just had a look under the engine... looks complicated.
i've also got a "rattling" noise when the engine's running but idle. been advised the cam's wearing away? any ideas anyone please?

Unlikly to be cams wearing away as said chnage the oil etc first has the car been serviced with good oil and is one due etc?

 

[LegoHead]

]Shoulnd't use water for the coolent though anyway.[/B]

just had a look under the engine... looks complicated.
i've also got a "rattling" noise when the engine's running but idle. been advised the cam's wearing away? any ideas anyone please?

Unlikly to be cams wearing away as said chnage the oil etc first has the car been serviced with good oil and is one due etc?

why not? Coolant is just water plus glycol?