Oil in brake fluid cylinder?

Question

A friend put in oil by mistake in the Main Brake Cylinder of a 2000 Dodge Van. Does this utterly make the car useless until a brake flush is done? Is there any way to solve this problem? And how much would it cost? Please, he is so depressed and doesn't know what to do. Any and all helpful hints/info appreciated.

Answer 1

Has he driven the vehicle yet? If the brakes have not been touched since he added the oil he might be able to get away with just flushing out the fluid in the master cylinder. Use something with suction (like a cheap turkey baster) to suck up all the fluid in the master cylinder. Then refill with brake fluid. Repeat this process a couple times to be sure all the oil is removed. But as I said this is only if he hasn't touched the brakes after the oil was added. If he has then yes, a full flush would need to be done. Be sure to replace all the fluid in the master cylinder before flushing the system.

Answer 2

you have a serious problem. oil will cause the brakes to fail--this is not a maybe.

you cannot drive the car at all untill it is correctected. Have it towed to a brake repair facility.