Can't believe how dirty my PS is

[coopns]

95 Taurus 166K I had never changed the PS prior to learning how simple the turkey baster method is from this forum. I have changed it probably six times and the fluid is still a bit dirty. Replacing the exisiting fluid with Mobil 1 ATF. I guess I will continue till she's pure. Should prolong things eh?

 

[Kestas]

Perhaps the reservoir holds only a small percentage of the total fluid and you need to use the fluid exchange method on this car.

Or perhaps what you did is good enough and the system should last the remaining life of the car.

 

[Iain]

quote:

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95 Taurus 166K I had never changed the PS prior to learning how simple the turkey baster method is from this forum. I have changed it probably six times and the fluid is still a bit dirty. Replacing the exisiting fluid with Mobil 1 ATF. I guess I will continue till she's pure. Should prolong things eh?

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One of the maintenance items I had checked last year after purchasing my 2001 Taurus was power steering system. At that time, mechanics checked and cleaned system and installed new fluid.

A few weeks ago, I checked P/S fluid and was unimpressed with quality of brownish-grey fluid in system. I then started using the turkey baster method of replacing fluid with Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle ATF. Most fluid I could replace was 5-6 ounces in a 3 quart capacity system.

Being the impatient type, a few days later I simply took the vehicle to a trusted mechanic and had the P/S system fluid exchanged for new Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle ATF.

Much better now.

[ May 31, 2006, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: Iain ]

 

[coopns]

Thanks, that is good to know. I will just keep picking away at it, every couple of weeks. Nice to know that it is cleaning though. I wasn't sure how much it took so that is very helpful.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by coopns:
Thanks, that is good to know. I will just keep picking away at it, every couple of weeks. Nice to know that it is cleaning though. I wasn't sure how much it took so that is very helpful.

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I did the turkey baster method on an 8 year old Corvette I got a couple of years ago. I used Redline PS Fluid, but expect any good synthetic rated for your car will do about as well.

Mine cleaned up after something like 6 turkey baster changes. Mos tof the fluid in the system was in the resevoir.

Iain: 3 qts sounds like way too much fluid for a PS system. Are you sure?

 

[Iain]

quote:

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Iain: 3 qts sounds like way too much fluid for a PS system. Are you sure?

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Reasonably sure.

Mechanic distributors only had availability of old Mobil 1 ATF formulation (DexronIII/Mercon).

Maintenance receipt from last year show 5 quarts of ATF used.

Because I require multi-vehicle formulation ATF, I agreed to supply mechanic with 5 quarts of Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle ATF (DexIII/Mercon/MerconV). After use, they returned 3 empty bottles and 2 unopened bottles of Mobil 1 ATF.

 

[mechtech]

That three qts. propbably was the total amount used for flushing, and not the capacity of the system, as XS650 states.
For a really dirty system, I'd use the cheap ATF until is was pretty clear, then go with the Expensive synthetic ATF.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by mechtech:
That three qts. propbably was the total amount used for flushing, and not the capacity of the system, as XS650 states.
For a really dirty system, I'd use the cheap ATF until is was pretty clear, then go with the Expensive synthetic ATF.

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While I was checking my shop manuals, one of them told how to do the BITOG bucket and hose with the engine running flush

I think it was the 95 GMC manual.

 

[Kestas]

It's also on the ASE certification test.

 

[unDummy]

In some situations, turkey basters do not go deep enough into the reservoir.
I actually have to use a basketball filler connected to my extraction pump's hose to get the last inch or so(bottom) of PS fluid in many reservoirs.

To remove more PSF without hose disconnection, overfill it fully while running. Shut her down and siphon more of the mix out. I can get most PS systems pretty clean more quickly this way.

If you don't have an extraction pump, gravity drain using any small hose(like the air hose from your aquarium). You can actually slowly drain and top off at the same time with a running vehicle with no fear of running the pump dry or worry about PS rack bleeding. And, the hose can be placed over the reservoir return which will speed things up. A quart or so later and it is squeaky clean.

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Iain:

quote:

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Iain: 3 qts sounds like way too much fluid for a PS system. Are you sure?

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Reasonably sure.

Mechanic distributors only had availability of old Mobil 1 ATF formulation (DexronIII/Mercon).

Maintenance receipt from last year show 5 quarts of ATF used.

Because I require multi-vehicle formulation ATF, I agreed to supply mechanic with 5 quarts of Mobil 1 Multi-Vehicle ATF (DexIII/Mercon/MerconV). After use, they returned 3 empty bottles and 2 unopened bottles of Mobil 1 ATF.

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I rechecked my shop manuals:
95 GMC S-15: 0.75 qt
96 Corvette w/PS oil cooler: 0.75 qt
00 Acura 3.2 TL 1.2 QT

I think that's pretty typical, there's no place for 3 qts to hide in a PS system.

I think your mechanic either flushed your system with the extra fluid or changed the fluid in his car and his cousins too

 

[Pook]

quick tip: 2500+3500 GM trucks with hydroboost- you can just change it by disconnecting the hydroboost, and using a bucket. Just make sure to keep topping the PS pump off.

 

[Ken2]

Auto-Rx cleans the complete power steering system and reconditions seals. After the A-Rx and during the switch to syn ATF or PS fluid, I add a Magnefine filter to the return line.

The system can be flushed by putting the front of the car up on jackstands, running the return line to a jug, plugging the return port on the reservoir, and turning the wheels from side to side all the way with the engine off. Add more fluid to the reservoir as needed.


Ken

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

If the turkey baster won't get deep enough, or you get tired of the fluid dropping out the end before you can close it, use a hand-soap pump. Best to clean out the soap first.