power steering- wrong fluid and leaks- any chemists out there?

Hey,
I went to a quick change oil place and they put the wrong PS fluid in my '95 GTi since the reservoir was empty (reservoir was never checked for years).
They put in ESSO brand fluid (non-dextron) that says on the back of the bottle "do not use in Honda specific systems or VW/Audi where G002000 fluid is required"....just so happens that is just the fluid my car takes. After I noticed I made them suck it out and put some better suited stuff in, but by that time, I'm sure a bunch had soaked down to the rack.

Anyways, now my rack is leaking on both ends and losing fluid much faster than before (been about 4 months since this happened)

Question: can the wrong fluid degrade the seals, and if so, how quickly and to what extent?

Also, does anyone know of a steering rack seal treatment that might restore the seals a little so it leaks less.

FYI leaking isn 't horrible, but about 0.5L every 5000-8000km. Steering rack is ZF-type.

Thanks in Advance

Well its a bummer the quick lube place added atf to your power steering fluid. Most cars out there take a atf type mixture for ps fluid but vw and honda dont. We use a synthetic mineral based fluid that is alot thicker than atf and lasts longer. Replace the rack and buy a 20oz container or 2 of VW ps fluid. Dont add any "power steering leak stopper" to the fluid that will make things worse! :nono:

Thanks for that. I'm glad you mentioned about the leak stop stuff, I was going ot look into that.

Just curious, what does atf stand for? auto trans. fluid?

I can't afford to get a new rack right now but I will have to eventually.

Do you think I should pursue them to help pay for it? They are willing to discuss with me and they know they messed up. (pretty clear they did when the back of the bottle says DO NOT USE IN VW!)

Last, what's you're opinion on rebuilt racks? I think the ZF rebuilt is about 300 or so.
Thanks

Get a rebuilt rack with new tie rods.

ALso yea they should at least pay for parts or some parts because they DID mess up..