update to my prior post:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127089

To recap:

My 96 2.5 power steering system has a very slow leak. While the car was at my father's house, he tried to be helpful by going and buying the PS 'stop leak' fluid.

Somehow, he left the auto parts store with the lucas transmission stop leak fluid instead, and proceeded to pour about 6-8 oz. of this into the PS tank.

I have the car at the dealer today for a EGR valve replacement, and they are saying that the only solution is to replace the entire steering rack and pump at a total cost of over $1400. Reasons they gave me:

1. The lucas ATF stops leak oil contaminating the system will attack the seals, and cause the leaks to get worse.

2. Flushing the system would only distribute the contaminated fluid faster, and cause the seals to fail more quickly, so this would be a waste of money.

Could anyone offer me any other opinion on this, and what I should do here? Spending $1400 is really out of the question based on the value of the car.

Any and all advice on my situation and options appreciated.

 

well if you have to replace wait until its totally fucked. Some ppl use trans fluid in power steering systems anyhow. It IS hydraulic fluid. I say wait and see.
A good repair shop can flush that out no probs. Trans stop leak is almost the same as P/S stop leak.
I say wait and see.
Its not going to blow up ar anything.So dont worry too much.

 

Update on my saga for those interested - I called Lucas Oil and talked to a very helpful person who basically told me not to worry, that the ATF and the PS products were VERY similar. The ATF should help in a similar way that that PS material would, he said. So, I will not be flushing or replacing the system at this time.

Thanks also to Altitude for the advice, really appreciated it!

 

Glad you got a second opinion - dealerships are in business to make money, not turn business away. Hopefully you'll never need to get any work done on your PS.