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stupid mistake and question
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betrayd
Novice
Aug 17, 2014, 10:17 AM
Post #1 of 15
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stupid mistake and question
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So I have a 2000 dodge stratus and know absolutely nothing about cars and was misinformed on where transmission fluid goes. I put some into the cap above where you are supposed to put it in. What is meant to go in that one and how bad did I just mess up my car?
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 17, 2014, 11:34 AM
Post #2 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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most of the service caps have descriptions on them - they are often yellow?
--- power steering- engine oil--- transmission--- coolant--etc
OR check the owners manual it should have a diagram of where to add X
once we know this
FYI as long as you did NOT add to brake fluid we can deal with is.
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betrayd
Novice
Aug 17, 2014, 12:02 PM
Post #3 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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I dont have the owners manual, I bought used several years ago. And there wasnt any label on it. Just a yellow cap saying caution, make sure cap is clean before opening, or something similar. I assumed it went with the trans fluid because it was directly above the dipstick for trans fluid.
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kev2
Veteran
Aug 17, 2014, 12:26 PM
Post #4 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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ok lets try this - give some hints where the fluid was added
driver side of vehicle - always is LEFT
passenger side of vehicle always right
front of engine bay
rear of engine bay
was the cap yellow and on top of a plastic square shaped fluid reservoir ?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 17, 2014, 12:26 PM
Post #5 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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I don't care it you have wheels on it - get an owner's manual - now! Yellow cap is all we have to go on for the moment.
Was it a reservoir you could see level in? If so go get a turkey baster but not use this car and sucky it all out NOW and hurry. If that was brake anything with any other fluid it should float first or it could trash the entire rubber parts to everything to do with brakes! Same if a standard shift for the hydraulic clutch. Take top fluid out into hopefully a cup you can see till it changes color then take the rest too but don't even mix a drop and clean turkey baster or what you find out but never use it for food anything again!
DO NOT TOUCH THIS UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE BUT TAKE WHAT YOU DID OUT NOW AND STOP READING THIS...............
TOM
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betrayd
Novice
Aug 17, 2014, 12:42 PM
Post #6 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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Ok so it is the left bay side I believe (drivers side rear of engine) I looked at all the caps that had labels on them and did not see one that said brakes so I am going to assume that is it if brakes are also a big yellow cap. The first thing I did was suck up all the fluid I could. When I placed the fluid in, there was no fluid I could see already in it and the trans fluid didnt go anywhere, just sat there like if I wouldve placed it in a bowl, which is what first made me think it wasnt the right place. I put about 1/10 of a bottle in originally then got most of it back out. I know it isnt the power steering, wiper fluid, coolant/antifreeze, or oil.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 17, 2014, 2:46 PM
Post #7 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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I don't know of transmission fill spots with caps. I dare say once the industry wanted to color code caps and some use icons.
Most Auto transmissions use a dipstick and since you would have to check it like engine oil you would know so there's room that you added to something that may have needed topping up that wasn't trans (an oil) but other something. If power steering you'd be ok but not for brakes with any oil based product as the rubber used is NOT oil friendly and would swell up any and all rubber items oil would touch and they would likely totally fail at catastrophic expense to correct if left that way so I was pushing the point.
The point with the original owner's manual is it would spell out what to check periodically and what fluid to use. Most would lead you to a dealer name for common fluids but still whatever info is there to help.
Mistakes happen, it's what to do about it that counts now,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 17, 2014, 3:14 PM
Post #8 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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Why don't you take a picture of where you put the oil and upload it to Photobucket and they will supply a link to make it show here.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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betrayd
Novice
Aug 17, 2014, 8:39 PM
Post #10 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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That is what the cap looks like. If needed, I will upload a picture of under the hood to point out the location.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 17, 2014, 9:23 PM
Post #11 of 15
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That's brake fluid and the symbol in the center of that one is universal for brakes + the shape of a stop sign. It would have a rubber unknown to the eye unless low bellowed under that cap and possibly a hose to the master cylinder if remote from the master cylinder.
It's done if you added trans fluid so get it out if not already as said. ATF (automatic trans fluid) is an oil, brake fluid is NOT it's just a whole different fluid meant for properties of the needs for brake hydraulics not even close to other. Many would also say DOT 3 meaning "Department of Transportation" and 3 is a designation for boiling point mostly and common for brakes and many standard shift hydraulic clutch linkage is using the same when not mechanical only.
It goes on like I'm doing. Warning lights for brakes likely use that symbol also or close. Not usually said is if you find some fluids low it could mean a leak for some things and wear for others such as brakes do displace fluid when brakes wear. Other items don't consume fluids so really means you should find out was it needed in the first place.
It's late now if you've driven this car and not done anything to remedy this situation if that was in fact ATF in brake fluid reservoir and car very well could be downright dangerous to use now.
If not just for your own self and passenger's you owe taking care of this so you don't hurt anyone else because brakes failed,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 18, 2014, 2:19 AM
Post #12 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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If you contaminated the brake fluid, then you have a big problem that will get a lot bigger ifyou drive the car or step on the brake. At this point I would have it towed to a shop and have them replace the master cylinder, flush the rest of the system and you may get off easy. If you drive this car this way, you could ruin the entire system and it will cost thousands to fix it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 18, 2014, 2:56 AM
Post #13 of 15
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Said that an oil would float and not to touch it and suck it out back several. NEVER happened or tested but makes sense. Just be chance at a tech only warehouse HUGE outlet not really for public but anyone can use the place a person was asking about this and owner said it floats on brake fluid and if out you have a chance.
I've see just some minor evidence of swollen bellows in caps. Never had to go thru all rubber parts and hope it stays that way.
What really worries me is the places wildly advertising 10-15 minute oil change service type places that check and top off everything you just know mistakes are going to happen big time,
T
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betrayd
Novice
Aug 18, 2014, 7:28 AM
Post #14 of 15
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Well thanks to all of you for the information. Sadly I have had to drive it out of necessity but I will take it to someone to look at it as soon as I can.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 18, 2014, 7:55 AM
Post #15 of 15
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Re: stupid mistake and question
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That is about the stupidest thing you can do. You can turn a couple hundred dollar repair into thousands if you drive it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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