Just throwing around a couple ideas here. I've got a power steering system that calls for Dexron II. I can just use Dexron III I realize, but I was wondering if a couple other things might be better suited.
I'm looking at using a couple things. First off would be the Redline synthetic PS fluid. I'm not opposed to using it, just curious if it's similar to their other oils in terms of base stocks although that's not a factor just a matter of curiosity. I've had a few people tell me that it finds leaks as synthetic oil tends to be notorious for, I'm not sure I buy this as a PS system operating at 1,500 PSI is probably going to leak because a seal went bad not because of the fluid being synthetic. With the high operating pressures I just don't see synthetic being the straw that breaks the camel's back.
My next choice I was thinking of would be Mil-H-5606. It's a pure hydraulic oil, pretty readily available and other being slightly less viscous at any temperature I can't think of any major reasons it wouldn't work. The only reason I'm looking at this and the next choice is that it doesn't seem like there's a need or benefit to all the additional additives like friction modifiers that exist in an ATF in a power steering system.
The last choice I was considering is Mil-H-83282 which is a synthetic hydrocarbon base similar to the 5606 but with a little better fire resistance than the 5606, higher flash point, and a few other things. On paper it actually looks a lot like the Redline synthetic but not quite the same.
Does anyone see any problem with any of these as a choice? I don't believe there's any question of compatibility with the seals among these versus Dexron. Obviously the redline advertising it's compatibility makes that one a given, I may be mistaken on the latter two.
If any of you folks that are more informed than I am could enlighten me, I'd appreciate it. The main reason I was considering the aviation grade stuff is because it's supposedly cleaner with regard to contaminants and since that is generally what makes seals start leaking, starting out with a cleaner fluid can't hurt provided there aren't other problems associated with using it.
Thanks in advance, and hey, maybe considering the use of the aviation stuff is a bit unnecessary and crazy. I used to be a helicopter mechanic in the military so I'm sure it's a bit of nostalgia influencing me.
I'm looking at using a couple things. First off would be the Redline synthetic PS fluid. I'm not opposed to using it, just curious if it's similar to their other oils in terms of base stocks although that's not a factor just a matter of curiosity. I've had a few people tell me that it finds leaks as synthetic oil tends to be notorious for, I'm not sure I buy this as a PS system operating at 1,500 PSI is probably going to leak because a seal went bad not because of the fluid being synthetic. With the high operating pressures I just don't see synthetic being the straw that breaks the camel's back.
My next choice I was thinking of would be Mil-H-5606. It's a pure hydraulic oil, pretty readily available and other being slightly less viscous at any temperature I can't think of any major reasons it wouldn't work. The only reason I'm looking at this and the next choice is that it doesn't seem like there's a need or benefit to all the additional additives like friction modifiers that exist in an ATF in a power steering system.
The last choice I was considering is Mil-H-83282 which is a synthetic hydrocarbon base similar to the 5606 but with a little better fire resistance than the 5606, higher flash point, and a few other things. On paper it actually looks a lot like the Redline synthetic but not quite the same.
Does anyone see any problem with any of these as a choice? I don't believe there's any question of compatibility with the seals among these versus Dexron. Obviously the redline advertising it's compatibility makes that one a given, I may be mistaken on the latter two.
If any of you folks that are more informed than I am could enlighten me, I'd appreciate it. The main reason I was considering the aviation grade stuff is because it's supposedly cleaner with regard to contaminants and since that is generally what makes seals start leaking, starting out with a cleaner fluid can't hurt provided there aren't other problems associated with using it.
Thanks in advance, and hey, maybe considering the use of the aviation stuff is a bit unnecessary and crazy. I used to be a helicopter mechanic in the military so I'm sure it's a bit of nostalgia influencing me.
