Power Steering Flub-Up + question

[xthirdimpact]

OK, so i washed and cleaned under the hood of my 03 4Runner Sport, and ...well, i did something dumb. I noticed my power steering resevoir was gross looking inside, so i used an old unused battery fluid tester (still in the box!) to syphon the fluid out, and it wasnt red anymore, but it wasnt gross. So like the idiot i am, i replaced the fluid in the res. with regular power steering fluid. The clear stuff. As i start the 4Runner, I get in it i drove maybe 100 feet and it hit me..."did i just put in the wrong fluid? DUH!" So i turned around, syphoned the res again, replaced with Dextron ATF fluid, drove it around the block and repeated that proces 3x.

Im worried that the clear ps fluid might have done damage.

Should i go get it all drained and replaced? Or is it no biggie?

Also, there was a black film, like dirt, that was in the resevoir where the old ps fluid sat. Does that mean my rack is decaying?

Thanks!

[Brian R.]

I doubt that your fluid mistake caused any damage in that short of period. Lubrication, although of the wrong formulation, is still lubrication. It wasn't dry. Do your best to get rid of the PS fluid by flushing the system to the best of your ability, or drained and replaced as you suggested. For the long haul, I would make sure none of the PS fluid is left in the system. See here for some comments.

The black film is probably wear particles from your seals. As long as your system works and doesn't leak, you are fine.

[xthirdimpact]

Thanks Brian. I'll see about getting it flushed ASAP.

Or as soon as my mechanic can get me in this week.

What can the clear PS fluid do to the Toyota PS system? Bad stuff id imagine?

I took the 4Runner to the mechanic, he'll drain the entire system, replace any small o-rings that might look like they are splitting, drain all fluid, and replace with new Dextron-VI Fully Synthetic. I think the original fluid thats getting drained is Dextron III. I couldnt find any at Napa, the Toyota dealer said they dont have an "official" Toyota ATF fluid, but this is the same dolt that told me yesterday that regular PS fluid can be used.

Brian, thanks again for the info.

[fourwd1]

Toyota calls for Dexron II or III.
It's backwards compatible,so IV, etc will work also.
Flushing the system is more important.

[xthirdimpact]

Well, had the entire system drained completely of fluids Sat. morning, took the resevoir out of the engine compartment while it was unhooked from the hoses and sprayed brake parts cleaner in it to get all the crud out of it. Took an air compressor to the inside of the resevoir to make sure all brake cleaner was out, gone and evaporated. Hooked everything back up, filled the res. with Dex III, started the 4Runner while the mechanic turned the steering wheel side to side. Added fluid as it needed til it was at the right level.

Have cheked for leaks or low levels, but all's clean. Steering sounds good (squeeled at 1st while we were adding the new fluid, but thats to be expected).

Lets hope alls well n better with it now.