accidentally added brake fluid to my oil compartment?
Asked by GuruD957CW Aug 12, 2023 at 09:06 AM about the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
3 Answers
If the engine hasn't been run, drain it and refill with fresh oil. If the engine has been run, drain it, put a new oil filter on, and run the engine for about 30 minutes at idle. Then change the oil and filter again. Hope that helps! Jim
Brake fluid isn't a lubricant, it's an abrasive. When used in any situation where lubricant is required, brake fluid will wear on rubber and plastic parts and damage or destroy them. Inside an engine, that's seals, like those on valves. It is progressive, so if you catch it early, and I mean within a few miles, you can drain the mixture out of the engine without any damage having occurred yet. Proceed as James said.
How much break fluid did you put in the engine and how long you ran it is what’s going to make the difference.With out those details I can’t say if there’s a problem or not.