Brake Fluid and Vacuum Pumps

[ARCHINSTL]

I believe someone else (takza?) mentioned this before, but I want to confirm the advice...
I bought a nice MityVac (plastic $30 model) when I bought Goldie in '85, and it was really handy in checking the myriad vac lines and also in bleeding the brakes last year. Subsequently I have used it on several friends' brakes with good luck.

I have just been installing new rear brakes on my '88 Dodge/Mitsu p'up. I carelessly hooked the line from the pump to the wrong port on the collection canister. Of course, it sucked fluid into the pump. I recalled the admonition, but since it still worked, thought nothing of it.
I had to wait a week to continue, after discovering I needed a new steel line.
So yesterday, the pump did not work. Upon examination, there was a distortion of the "inlet" cap and also of the cap at the back of the pump. It was non-repairable, as the "main case/barrel" of the pump was really distorted as well.
I dunno if the pump could be immediately flushed with water or ? if this happens; it did not occur to me at the time, anyway...
I had to buy a new pump.

MORAL: KEEP BRAKE FLUID AWAY FROM PLASTIC AND PAY ATTENTION TO THE MARKINGS ON THE CANISTER'S CAP!
Tom M.

[takza]

Plastic is nice and all...but you'd think they use a type that was resistant to brake fluid?

I'm fairly sure (soapy?) water would flush it out. But they have some kind of special lube in there?

[Petros]

There is actually a lot of stuff, including stuff the car is made from, that brake fluid will eat away/melt. (including paint, rubber seals, boots, tires, many plastics, etc. ) It is best to keep brake fluid off of anything you want to keep.

The brake parts cleaner spay will clean off brake fluid, the problem is this solvent may also melt the plastic. I have heard that rubbing alcohol will wash away brake fluid, but I have never tried it. It seems to me that using solvent or alcohol to wash out your pump, and then rise it out well with soap and water should take care of it.