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Engine oil in power steering

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Kerrilouise
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Engine oil in power steering

Post by Kerrilouise » Fri Apr 14, 2017 8:41 pm

So.. my other half (soon to be ex if you tell me his f****d it) has just gone and put a small amount of engine oil in what I believe is the power steering oil bit. Tbf.. other than the fact that where the oil is basically shouts at you.. it does have a picture of an oil can on it and says oil only.

Anyway.. are we in trouble here? It was only a small amount and it's pretty much full to the top.. can I just scoop it out?!

Horizon
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Re: Engine oil in power steering

Post by Horizon » Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:26 pm

Don't panic, engine oil and power steering fluid  (ATF ) will mix, people used to put a cup full of ATF in the engine oil before an oil change as it has a detergent in it that helps flush the engine.
I would take it in and get a fluid change to be on the safe side, firstly make sure it's not over the max mark, as it may spray out when on full lock.
They will drain the fluid and refil the system, and then turn it lock to lock so it self bleeds.
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BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

Kerrilouise
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Re: Engine oil in power steering

Post by Kerrilouise » Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:48 am

Thanks for the reply.. my mechanic is away for bank holiday so I'll give him a shout on Tuesday to get it flushed.. reading up, luckily for my oh, it doesn't sound like an expensive job!

Just another one.. iDrive is saying oil is at minimum.. but the message isn't on all the time, it has come up a couple of times over the last few days, sometimes at the beginning of a journey and other times nothing till I'm home on the drive?!  Anyways.. how am I supposed to know with no blooming dipstick

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X5Sport
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Re: Engine oil in power steering

Post by X5Sport » Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:34 am

Check at the back right of the engine bay.

There should be a dipstick - black round plastic knob close to the engine.

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Last edited by X5Sport on Sat Apr 15, 2017 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Kerrilouise
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Re: Engine oil in power steering

Post by Kerrilouise » Sat Apr 15, 2017 12:46 pm

Ahh thank you. I Couldn't see it as there's a big bit covering it!  All sorted.. I think.. no doubt i'll be back

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