My Sorry @ss was too stupid today when I accidentaly dumped a bottle of power steering fluid into my gas tank. It's cuz the Valvoline PS fluid and fuel injector cleaner are in the same bottle... I put in a full 17.9 gallon has tank... What should I do? I drove it for about 2 miles and it's running ok. Is the dilution enough or should I pump out all 18 gallons of gas?

 

I definitly wouldnt drive the car at all. Have someone drive you to an autoparts store and buy a siphon. If you cant find one at an auto parts store you should be able to get a siphon/pump at a home depot or somewhere similar. If worse comes to worse just get a long enough tube and do an old school siphon where you suck it out w/ your mouth and before you drink it put the tube down to the ground to drain. you might have to repeat this. Also it is best to use a clear tube so you can see where the gas is. Thats why its better to just call around and get a siphon/pump.

Even though you drove your car for a couple miles w/ out any problems it is probably because most of the ps fluid is probably still towards the top of the tank and hasnt mixed. Im not a mechanic but if the car manual says not to even add any kind of fuel system/ gas treatment then I know power steering fluid will probably muck somethin up

 

If it was only a 8-12oz bottle of PS fluid, I wouldn't worry about it. Think of it as as fuel pump/injector lube.

 

I agree with this. It's just a hydraulic oil. Your going to get some nice top end lubrication with this tank of gas. Dirve it right down to empty (dont run out) and then fill with fresh gas. I'd run a bottle of FI cleaner through it at this point.

 

I would think that the PS fluid was too thick to even mix with the gasoline in your tank. As long as you don't go under 1/2 tank of gas for the next 500 miles, I wouldn't think about it. Then again, this was posted before in posts above...

 

I would just replace the fuel filter and some FI cleaner after you run that tank dry.

 

I'd go get a drum and siphon out the gas. I doubt there's anyone in here that has any idea what PS steering fluid does to the motor after it's been compressed and ignited. I don't even think it will burn since it can take high compression without heating. I can see the fluid coating the instead of the injectors and pump, fuel lines, varnishing the inside of the motor, mixing with the oil, and clogging the filter.

I would stop driving IMMEDIATELY because PS steering fluid is most likely heavier than gasoline (IE it's pooled at the bottom of the tank). I would siphon out the gas, change the fuel filter, and changed the oil/filter. The most expensive part will be the disposing of 17 gallons of contaminated gasoline. I work in the environmental rememediation business and it's not cheap to get rid of gasoline. You'll probably have to call Safety Kleen to come pick up the stuff for $150-200 bucks so they can burn it. Or you can let the gas settle and see if the PS fluid comes to the top. If it does, skim it off and use the gas, one gallon at a time.


Dave

 

Why don't you just mix a small amount of PS fluid in some gas just to see if it does mix well. If it mixes (gas brakes it down) Just drive the freaking thing until it's all used up.

Has anybody ever used Marvel Mistery Oil in there gas tanks??? Says right on the can to mix it with your gas for top end lubrication.

New power steering fluid is totally different, but it's still a petrollieum isn't it?

 

I just was thinking the same thing (same Red Color )... I think Dextron ATF will mix with gas.. it should be ok... but I'm no expert.

 

I think I would syphon the gas out. Who knows what's going to happen to the valves throughout all of this if he decides to drive the tank empty.

 

Keep filling the tank so that the PS fluid becomes more and more dilute, if you are worried. Though the PS fluid is more viscous, it may have approximately the same density as gas and thus not separate into two phases in the tank. Do what the guy above suggested -- mix a little of the two and see what happens.

 

Gas and PS fluids are both pertroleum distallates and the PS fluid will mix with the gas. It's combustion temp is well below that of the temp in the cylinder head and will therfore burn up.

You guys are funny. You beat the living **** out of your cars, and then worry about a few ounces of oil in the gas.!?!

 

Hey! I resemble that remark!

 

brings new meaning to the term "torque steer".

sorry, had to!

 

Yeah I dont think it should be that bad. Although it may form some crappy carbon deposits on your spark plugs. But there may be some additives in the oil that may form potentially bad deposits on the cylinder walls