Hi all, I have a thread going about my new to me 2000 XK8. There is a new, self created problem that I need some help with. I have been down with the flu for about a week (important to the problem). My XK8 had a non functioning top. I took the rear apart and found leaky cylinders. I sent them to Top Hydraulics to have them redone. Great company, fast service. I got the cylinders back today, and I've been in bed so long, I decided to install them to see if the leak is fixed.

To make a long story short, I installed the cylinders, hooked everything up, filled up the pump, and tried to open the top. Of course it took some time for the system to fill up, but finally the top opened, slowly. I then closed it. It almost finished closing but the latch did not fully close. I figured the fluid was probably now low after the cylinders and front latch had to be filled.

I went to the trunk, took the pump out, go to fill it up, and then realize that I put brake fluid in. I don't know what I was or wasn't thinking, but I put Pentosin brake fluid in the pump instead of the CHF11.

I now panic, remove the fluid out of the pump. Cycle the top about 6 or 7 times, remove the fluid again, and refill.

Now my questions. How much damage have I done? Will I be able to get most of the brake fluid out by cycling the top, removing and replacing the tank fluid multiple times? Or, should I have done something else to fix the problem? Being sick is not a good time to do car repairs.

 

Alright, I don't know much but let's do some chemistry and find out. Look at the labels for the top fluid and the brake fluid. Let's also figure out what all of the lines, tank, etc in the convertible top mechanism is made of. Knowing that we can assess chemical degradation.

As for the pumps being affected, might also depend on the properties of the brake fluid. This could either be really minor damage, or really major.

I've never been in the situation myself, so other than an educated guess based on the above, I can't give you much.

 

I am retrying to remember but chf11 is used as a brake and clutch fluid for BMW and Porsche. I would purchase a second can and flush several more times. For 25 bucks it would be cheaper then a pump, hoses etc. the longer it stays in the system the great the chance for long term issues. Jim

 

Oops! Agreed with berlin- I'd flush it out at least once more with another can of CHF11. Maybe compare a bit right out of the can with what you're flushing out using a couple glasses, and keep flushing until they match under good light. Then, if the top is still working fine, I'd say a Hail Mary and call it good. Get well soon. Before you go in the garage next time.

 

I'm on the same page as the others with flushing ASAP.

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I've flushed twice at this point. I am going to buy another can of CHF11 and flush at least 2 more times. The top seems to work fine and as of this moment, no leaks from the newly repaired cylinders.

 

Right on.


If you had filled it with hydrochloric acid, I'd still be very concerned about damage to the system, but brake fluid isn't that corrosive, is it? Should be fine if flushed out pretty quick vs. realizing years later.

 

I think the only positive about this situation, is that I realized the mistake immediately. I have cycled to to 5 times, flushed, and 5 more cycles and flush again. Hopefully, it should be ok. The top works great and no leaks.

 

I think you're good to go now. Glad you caught your error pronto....

Moral of the story: Always double-check that fluid container before you pour it down the hatch. That goes for ANY fluid container and ANY hatch....

 

Information I could have used yesterday

 

maybe you were lucky, and the seals chemically swelled back to their virginal state? ( smiling )

 

that's great news John.