I think the "Genuine Honda" power steering fluid is a semi-syn. Is there a full-syn PS fluid suitable for my '03 Odyssey?
Thanks folks!
Thanks folks!
Honda PS - is there a full synthetic?
- Thread starter Michael Polutta
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I started using the ATF+4 in the power steering units at out place since the price has dropped so dramatically in the past few months. Wouldn't venture a guess as to compatibility with your Honda, though.
There seems to be some seal compatibility issues, which I have not personally seen yet, but time will tell. I hope to determine this one way or the other in both the steering and transmissions over the next year or so, at least as far as our equipment is concerned (a wide range of Chrysler products of all ages).
It would be nice to stock just one fluid for all that.
There seems to be some seal compatibility issues, which I have not personally seen yet, but time will tell. I hope to determine this one way or the other in both the steering and transmissions over the next year or so, at least as far as our equipment is concerned (a wide range of Chrysler products of all ages).
It would be nice to stock just one fluid for all that.
Michael Polutta -
While I cannot tell you if Honda Genuine PS fluid is semi-syn or not, one thing is for certain: flush and refill with Honda Genuine PS fluid every several years and your power steering pump +rack will thank you for that, giving you long service life and reliability.
I just did it to my dad's 7th gen civic last weekend (with 100,000kms on the clock, AutoRx'ed the PS part) with genuine Honda PS fluid (I took 3 using turkey baster method) and it is now running smoothly...
Do not substitute with non-Honda spec'ed PS fluid for there is a seal inside your steering rack that once come in contact with non-Honda PS fluid (such as Dexron, etc.), it will swell and cause all kinds of leaks.
While I cannot tell you if Honda Genuine PS fluid is semi-syn or not, one thing is for certain: flush and refill with Honda Genuine PS fluid every several years and your power steering pump +rack will thank you for that, giving you long service life and reliability.
I just did it to my dad's 7th gen civic last weekend (with 100,000kms on the clock, AutoRx'ed the PS part) with genuine Honda PS fluid (I took 3 using turkey baster method) and it is now running smoothly...
Do not substitute with non-Honda spec'ed PS fluid for there is a seal inside your steering rack that once come in contact with non-Honda PS fluid (such as Dexron, etc.), it will swell and cause all kinds of leaks.
Quest - Great minds...
I am in the baster-process after several hundred miles with ARX in our PS system. 3 drain/fills so far, and the fluid is just now starting to look clearer. Methinks the ARX has done some cleaning! This was the factory fill, 48K on the odometer and 3 years. I'm thinking about swapping out the factory PS cooler for a stouter unit.
The driver for my question is simply to have a fluid that can take higher temps more easily. I fully understand about non-Honda-spec fluid. I have not found a full-syn Honda-spec yet, and I did search...
FYI - there is a thread on odyclub.com that measured PS temps, and the result is that PS temps are strictly related to engine RPM, not load. The reason you need a stouter PS cooler when towing is not due to the weight, it is because you will spend less time in "lockup", more time at higher RPM. We don't tow, but I want this vehicle to last a long time. Any simple (and fun) thing I can do - like upgrading the PS cooler - I am likely to do. (Gotta shore up the ATF filtration first...)
I am in the baster-process after several hundred miles with ARX in our PS system. 3 drain/fills so far, and the fluid is just now starting to look clearer. Methinks the ARX has done some cleaning! This was the factory fill, 48K on the odometer and 3 years. I'm thinking about swapping out the factory PS cooler for a stouter unit.
The driver for my question is simply to have a fluid that can take higher temps more easily. I fully understand about non-Honda-spec fluid. I have not found a full-syn Honda-spec yet, and I did search...
FYI - there is a thread on odyclub.com that measured PS temps, and the result is that PS temps are strictly related to engine RPM, not load. The reason you need a stouter PS cooler when towing is not due to the weight, it is because you will spend less time in "lockup", more time at higher RPM. We don't tow, but I want this vehicle to last a long time. Any simple (and fun) thing I can do - like upgrading the PS cooler - I am likely to do. (Gotta shore up the ATF filtration first...)
PSF temps being rpm-based makes sense to me.
It's a pump, it's going to make heat when it makes pressure, and it's going to make more pressure with more rpms.
www.wjjeeps.com/service/maintenance_wj.htm#OTHER
It's a pump, it's going to make heat when it makes pressure, and it's going to make more pressure with more rpms.
yep, I can do both.
www.wjjeeps.com/service/maintenance_wj.htm#OTHER
Amendment - I just bought a bottle of NAPA-brand Honda-spec PS fluid. The back of the bottle says "petroleum oil." Guess it isn't semi-syn - at least the NAPA brand is not.
Use Lubegard. They sell a PSF additive that converts ATF or regular PSF to Honda Power Steering Fluid. So, grab your Amsoil/Redline/Mobil1/....ATF and add the lubegard if you want a full synthetic PSF.
From what I remember, its not a seal issue. It a fluid foaming and PS beating the snot out of the fluid issue.
From what I remember, its not a seal issue. It a fluid foaming and PS beating the snot out of the fluid issue.
IMO, bag the baster. It's SO EASY to pull a hose and insert a funnel. 99% change in one shot. I pull the Resevior OUT / Pump IN hose and insert funnel. I put a piece of aluminum foil over the hole in the resevior and disconnect the dist spark. Crank the engine as you pour PS fluid into the funnel. Drain the resevior and do it again until you have a resevior of clean fluid and then top-off.
I ran into the webpage of one OEM supplyer of Honda PS fluid (forgot the name) and they had a spec sheet on normal vs Honda formula. Honda PS fluid is thicker and contains some anti-wear additives like Ca, P, Zn, etc. Molakule agreed in one of my previous post on the same topic too. I am not sure about the "quality" of base oil though.
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