excessive brake fluid handling

[tommytang]

Today I bought a bottle of brake fluid to add to the brake fluid reservoir. But after adding, I found that I added too much because the fluid level was beyond the maximal mark and there was too much fluid remaining above the filter. Then I used toilet paper to absorb the excessive brake fluid. Is there any potential problem for my handling? Will the toilet paper contaminate the brake fluid and cause brake failure?

Another question is that what kind of power steering fluid I should use. My car is 1997 Camry LE and I have no owner manual. I have seen that the level of power steering fluid was below the minimal mark but there was no any warning. Can I add the new steering fluid directly to the reservoir?

Thanks!

[dc_98_cam]

Use Dexron III ATF for the power steering reservoir ....
Probably no difficulty with the brake fluid .... if you don't actually have a leak someplace.

Which engine do you have?

[Hajoca]

Just make sure that the toilet paper was clean and free of dirt. As long as you dodn't leave any in the reservoir sound fine to me.

[tommytang]

Thank you for your answers. Actually I don't know the engine type because I don't have manual. The only thing I know is that it is 2.2L. It seems that power steering fluid is same to transmission fluid. Am I right?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by tommytang

Thank you for your answers. Actually I don't know the engine type because I don't have manual. The only thing I know is that it is 2.2L. It seems that power steering fluid is same to transmission fluid. Am I right?

Yes, you are correct.

As a sidenote for anyone in the same situation, I too had to remove brake fluid from my master last week. I let a shop do a complete brake flush (I was just too tired to do it myself this time) and they put in a bit too much fluid. I used a straw holding my finger over the top end of the straw and dipping it in to the master. Then I removed the straw and held it over an old plastic cup and removed my finger letting the fluid drain out of the straw and in to the cup. It took about 10-12 times of this method and the fluid was back to the max line. It took less than 2 minutes to remove the excess fluid this way. Then I just dumped the old fluid in to my brake fluid container (actually an old bottle) and threw out the straw and cup. I think this is a safer method for anyone in the same situation who may have to remove a slight amount of brake fluid. I could have used my Snap-on vacuum pump, but then I would have had to clean that up. The clean up would have taken a lot longer than 2 minutes.

Mike

[Kep]

+1 about the Dexron III ATF for the power steering reservoir. Do not use power steering fluid in the power steering reservoir! I find that a kitchen baster is marvelous for removing excess brake and power steering fluid. It's a plastic tube with a rubber bulb on top. You can often find one in a dollar store or a grocery store.

While prolonged exposure to petroleum fluids is not good for you, your brief contact with brake fluid (especially if you washed your hands afterward) should not have any affect on you.

Kep

[tommytang]

Thank you all for your good suggestions. I will do as you said next time. Another question is about the remaining brake fluid in the bottle. Because I add a little brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir, most of the fluid are remained. Can these remaining fluid be used next time? I heard that only the unopen brake fluid can be used. Is it true?

[Black95Cam]

whats wrong with using power steering fluid for the power steering reservoir?

[toyomoho]

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time; one reason the bottle you purchase was sealed. Keep the cap tight and suggest you store the bottom up side down to keep air out (of course check for leaks).

Toyota specifics type of fluid to use in the PS pump, on this car would be Dexron III, same as the trans fluid. Not sure what a PS fluid would do, perhaps nothing but why take a chance when Dexron III is cheap and available. Brake fluid is not the same as PS fluid or Dexron III.