Hello everyone, I’m currently extracting fluid and re adding new clean ps fluid into my moms 2010 Honda 3.5 v6.. the fluid is very dark colored, so I decided to start this process. I will not and cannot remove the return line to do a proper flush, it will make a giant mess and I am unable to do it, to put it simply. I have sucked out and refilled the reservoir 3 times now and each time I start and run the car it goes right back to the same color as it was before extracting. How many more times do I have to do this till the fluid is clear in your opinion? Honda ps fluid used to be 3 bucks per 12fl oz bottle, now the dealer wants 10 bucks per bottle, it’s ridiculously expensive now. Am I just wasting my time and money? Or does it eventually clear up? Thanks
How many drain and fills ps reservoir
- Thread starter Shucks18
- Start date
IME, Honda does a good job at making PS fluid dark in short order, even after a full exchange and a new reservoir. After 3 drain and fills, you're wasting money and time, IMO.
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O'Reilly has a quart bottle of Honda equivalent PS fluid that I have used.
Pulling the return line is really easy; just empty the reservoir 1st.
I use a MityVac to suck out the old fluid via the return line.
I plug the reservoir port and fill it with fresh fluid. Let the MityVac continue to suck it through.
Continue to fill with fresh fluid, but let the reservoir run low and then replace the return line.
Fill 'er up, start the engine and let it idle to bleed any air. Super easy and not messy.
Perhaps part of your problem is the dirty reservoir. I remove it and spray brake cleaner to clean it out.
Sometimes people replace them to start clean. I don't go that far...
Good luck. Your fluid is probably pretty well fresh right now.
Pulling the return line is really easy; just empty the reservoir 1st.
I use a MityVac to suck out the old fluid via the return line.
I plug the reservoir port and fill it with fresh fluid. Let the MityVac continue to suck it through.
Continue to fill with fresh fluid, but let the reservoir run low and then replace the return line.
Fill 'er up, start the engine and let it idle to bleed any air. Super easy and not messy.
Perhaps part of your problem is the dirty reservoir. I remove it and spray brake cleaner to clean it out.
Sometimes people replace them to start clean. I don't go that far...
Good luck. Your fluid is probably pretty well fresh right now.
At this point, do a drain and fill every engine oil change. It’ll never be clear but it’ll be plenty good
Does your PSF system holds about 1.2qt? I would buy 2 qts of fluid and drain and fill after every drive until all 2 qts are used up. I'm guessing 3x drain and fill is still nowhere close to the full fluid capacity of the system.
The reservoir probably only holds about 0.2qt so 3x drain and fill only replaced less than 50% of the fluid in the system.
The reservoir probably only holds about 0.2qt so 3x drain and fill only replaced less than 50% of the fluid in the system.
Thank God for electric power steering!
UGH! EPS sux big time. My F22 has it and the steering is numb. I think the ideal solution is to have an on-demand electric power steering fluid pump. It'd be on when you parking and driving below 30 or mph, and off t high speeds.
When mine was really bad I ended up just emptying the reservoir once a week and refilling with cheap ATX fluid. Checking first a drop on a white napkin looking for dropout rings. Once the fluid stayed clean I then put in what I usually would.
I love the EPS in both my VWs. It is responsive and I always have a feel of the road. In my Alltrack, I can change the feel of the steering using the screen in the car. No more leaks, squeals, dirty fluid, degrading hoses, etc. No way I would want to go back!!!
Jack up the front of the car and turn the wheel L/R between reservoir changes. Or just drive around the block.
2qts should be enough.
2qts should be enough.
New age garbage. I’ll keep my 94 ls400 and 1st gen tundra
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
To make you feel better - I just dropped $60 on a quart of Mopar EP steering fluid. I don’t use Thanksgiving kitchen tools …
Have these in 200/500:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=500cc+syringe&_sop=12
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
All but my Jeep has electric - the Jeep has EPS pump - hence the high price fluid mentioned below … Feel? It still feels like you are not fully in charge
I was a Honda only PS fluid guy until recently, then I used Lubegard in some other vehicles and loved how it felt afterwards. So, I was due for a siphon and refill, every other oil 5k change, bought the Lubegard PS Honda fluid and it is night and day better than the Honda ps fluid. It feels so much lighter to turn and pump is silent. I would try it if I was you and see if it makes a difference. The zon has it for $16/qt so it is not going to break the bank.
BrendanC
$100 site donor 2024
i have two accords, i used my mity vac to drain, refill with fram “honda” power steering fluid. start and idle for 5 minutes while turning the wheel back and forth. drain/fill then drive for a week and repeat another drain and fill after. cars steer effortlessly and make zero noise.
Solid plan here for a legitimate fluid replacement strategy.
SammyChevelleTypeS3
$50 site donor 2023
Very similar to my clean out routine if I find them turn too dirty/dark. Those MtiyVacs sure come in handy for all sorts of things. I have a couple of them. One for automotive uses and the other for cleaner service jobs like plumbing and things in and outside the house.
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