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i made a huge mistake

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Old 02-11-2007, 06:31 PM
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last night my oil light came on and when i opened the hood i saw a resevoir cap that said oil only so i put less than an 8th of a quart of oil in that resevoir. I found out that was not for oil my friend thinks it is for the power steering fluid. remember i put
very little oil in that area. what kind of damage did i do if any and should i bring my car to the dealer right away for service.
thanks
Old 02-11-2007, 08:26 PM
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I'm not an expert so I would just call the dealer before even touching the car and ask what to do. I'm guessing the power steering fluid has to be drained and replaced. Hopefully you didn't drive the car too long and damaged anything.
2c
Old 02-12-2007, 06:15 AM
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to be on the safe side, take the car to dealership on a flat bed truck. You may not want to start or drive the car not until dealership or shop drained all fluids. Oil is thicker than atf so it might mess up your power steering pump or the power steering itself.
Old 02-12-2007, 06:46 AM
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i would recommend for you to call the dealer and have them repatriate the car, and then bleed the entire system, to make sure nothing goes WRONG... just to be on the safe side
Old 02-12-2007, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by bahnstormer550I' post='390401' date='Feb 11 2007, 10:31 PM
last night my oil light came on and when i opened the hood i saw a resevoir cap that said oil only so i put less than an 8th of a quart of oil in that resevoir. I found out that was not for oil my friend thinks it is for the power steering fluid. remember i put
very little oil in that area. what kind of damage did i do if any and should i bring my car to the dealer right away for service.
thanks
I feel so good. I am not the only one who's done that. Anyway, it is the power sterring reservoir and your dealer will gladly drain and refill the fluid for only $85 give or take couple of dollars. No damage according to my dealer. Do not be afraid to drive the car. PS fluid is just a filler for the pump.
Old 02-12-2007, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by SergeyM' post='390613' date='Feb 12 2007, 12:22 PM
I feel so good. I am not the only one who's done that. Anyway, it is the power sterring reservoir and your dealer will gladly drain and refill the fluid for only $85 give or take couple of dollars. No damage according to my dealer. Do not be afraid to drive the car. PS fluid is just a filler for the pump.
I agree - you should be OK to take it in for a flushing. Oil is not that far removed from PS fluid, mainly higher viscosity, still lubricates and is well diluted with PS now anyway. Don't make it a habit, though. Oh - put some oil in the engine, too, while your at it. :-)
Old 02-12-2007, 09:47 AM
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Originally Posted by bahnstormer550I' post='390401' date='Feb 12 2007, 05:31 AM
last night my oil light came on and when i opened the hood i saw a resevoir cap that said oil only so i put less than an 8th of a quart of oil in that resevoir. I found out that was not for oil my friend thinks it is for the power steering fluid. remember i put
very little oil in that area. what kind of damage did i do if any and should i bring my car to the dealer right away for service.
thanks
Sorry to hear.

To BMW Sercive at once!
Old 02-12-2007, 12:35 PM
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thanks all. i just got back from the dealer and they are going to have to flush the entire system 3 to 4 times. unfortunely its going to hurt me in the pocket. the total for a lesson learned is going to be just under $700.00. according to the dealer actually 2 different dealers its a pretty big job. i will not get my car back until tomorrow.
Old 02-12-2007, 12:44 PM
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If somebody is not that mechanically inclined or a DIYer then at least spend sometime reading the car user manual.
Old 02-12-2007, 01:57 PM
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Okay, now that the problem has a solution, does anyone else get the connection between the subject of this thread and G.O.B. Bluth? (you'll either get it or you won't...)


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