Cleaning a neglected PS sytem...thoughts?

[addyguy]

I don't think the PS fluid has ever been changed on my 2003 Tribute.

A couple of months ago, I started doing the partial changes with a windex bottle squirter, sucking out about 1/4-1/3 of a quart at a time and replacing the Mercon fluid it needs.

I've done it twice now, and the fluid is as a dark muddy brown. I've been using cheap ST Mercon, and I will just keep doing partial suck and fills until it starts coming out red and clean.

Any thoughts on a cleaner that would be helpful in this process, or should I just keep going with cheap Mercon and flushing it out gradually?

Should I use something like half a pint of Seafoam during one fo the chages, or start using a syn trans fluid, like M1 or Amsoil to clean out the system?

Love to hear your thoughts on what would work best....

 

[The motor guy]

The best way is to to flush it out by unhooking the return line to the reservoir and keep the reservoir full until you start seeing clean fluid. It can be hard to get the hoses off though. Usually I use the turkey bastor method. I've never done the flush method so do more research before trying it.

 

[The motor guy]

There is probably 3 or 4 qts in the system so you still have alot left that you haven't gotten.

 

[sky7]

Empty the reservoir with a turkey baster and refill with new fluid. Start the car and turn the wheels lock to lock several times. Turn off the car. Repeat until fluid comes out clean. Done.

 

[Barkleymut]

+1 on the turkey baster method. It is just so easy. And yes just keep on using the recommended fluid and you will be fine.

 

[addyguy]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll just keep doing the partial suck-and-fills until it comes out clean....with my new job, I don't have a lot of 'spare time' to do it, so I'll be doing it once a week or so until it looks better. Could take a while, I'll just keep at it!

Basic Mercon is still relatively cheap and easy to get, so I'll just keep using that.

 

[sky7]

No need to wait a week in between drain and fills, just 10 times or so lock to lock engine running. You should be able to knock out 5 drain and fills in 15 minutes. I do understand the lack of spare time issue.

 

[Carnoobie]

I suck up all the PS fluid from my res once a year with a suction gun so i consntantly keep new fluid going in. Done 2-3 times and have new fluid.

 

[addyguy]

Originally Posted By: sky7
No need to wait a week in between drain and fills, just 10 times or so lock to lock engine running. You should be able to knock out 5 drain and fills in 15 minutes. I do understand the lack of spare time issue.


You're right, but it's a slow, tiring process using a windex squirter...I'm going to have to look into something better.

 

[HerrStig]

Isn't the reservior high enough to use a siphon? I do that on a couple of Toyotas. Wallyworld has cheap ones.

 

[sky7]

True. Grab a turkey baster or a flavor syrup pump from a grocery store. Even an old shampoo pump.

 

[Carnoobie]

Turkey basters are a pain in the [censored] and dont hold much, trust me ive tried. $9 for a suction gun and i get it all out in 1 pull of the syringe.

 

[LeakySeals]

I do a reservoir drain and fill with maxlife dex/merc atf as part of every oil change routine.

 

[tommygunn]

Doing it at all is already doing more then most people do (and more then most manuals call for). Its slow but, just stay on it regularily you'll do a great job helping freshen it up.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Originally Posted By: LeakySeals
I do a reservoir drain and fill with maxlife dex/merc atf as part of every oil change routine.


What I started doing after constant basterin' lol, Out with the resivoir (unhooking the hose) in with the Lucas ATF

 

[yonyon]

You can probably get a brake fluid syringe for around the same price as a turkey baster and have a little less drippy mess. If you buy two, one can go in the kitchen.

 

[Donald]

I use a MityVac. And Amsoil PS.

On my 94 Camry you could not get a turkey baster in there. I removed the reservoir from where it attached to the fender, pulled one hose and tipped it and poured it out and refilled.

 

[Shannow]

Syringe and a piece of PVC hose.

I think a touch of AutoRX is a good idea here.

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
Originally Posted By: sky7
No need to wait a week in between drain and fills, just 10 times or so lock to lock engine running. You should be able to knock out 5 drain and fills in 15 minutes. I do understand the lack of spare time issue.


You're right, but it's a slow, tiring process using a windex squirter...I'm going to have to look into something better.


A pump from a shampoo bottle, etc. works fantastic for getting down there and sucking out a lot.

 

[SteveSRT8]

On many cars today all you do is pull a hose off the rack while changing the oil. let it drain a while, then refill.

No need for ten times on anything, a little PS service goes a LONG way as these systems are designed to be neglected.