Cadillac Repair: Question about brakes, buick lasabre, brake calipers

Question
Hi,
I am asking about a Buick LaSabre 1990. It had its brakes changed recently and following the repair, around a day or so later, the brakes do not brake properly- only go all the way to the bottom, and then they brake. In other words, the brake works only if you know to brake in advance and press it all the way.

I went back to the mechanic and he said that it seems that oil or something war poured into the brake fluid compartment and the 'Master' must be changed and a full bleed and flush must be done as well.

If I think back, around the time of repairing the brakes, I did pour some (not a lot) power steering fluid into the brake fluid compartment- I though it was the power steering section. The power steering was not working well and was making noise so I fugured to use what was in the trunk to fill it up- but I poured it into the wrong section. (Again, I did not pour too much being that it was already mostly full)

In your opinion, is it possible that this little bit of power steering fluid has destroyed the 'Master' to the point that the whole thing must be replaced, flooded, and bled?

The price he quoted me was around 300$ total for the job and parts.

Thanks,
Levi

Answer
Hi Levi, Yes unfortunately it is possable to ruin a master cylinder by pouring an oil...something other than dot 3 brake fluid...into a master cylinder. In fact when something like this happens and you continue to drive the vehicle to the point that the brakes are ready to fail it is recommended that anything rubber in the brake system get replaced. That means master cylinder, 4 brake hoses, front brake calipers and rear wheel cylinders. If you have ABS brakes then that unit will need to be replaced also. All the metal brake lines need to be flushed with brake fluid once the contaminated parts are removed. Then all new parts installed and the brakes bled to get the air out of the lines. You might talk to your insurrance company and see if they will help with the repair...it might cost $1000 once you get everything replaced or more with ABS brakes...because depending on the condition of the car it might not be worth fixing and you would be better off getting a differant car. Too bad you learned a very expensive lesson in knowing what fluids go where. Bill