2002 Century, turkey bastered with 32oz Prestone psf slowly over weeks then worked in two 12 oz bottles of Royal Purple power steering fluid with turkey baster again. Actually used a hand pump designed for homemade soda syrup bought for 3$, works great.
Post Your Latest Power Steering Fluid Change
- Thread starter Turk
- Start date
2005 Kia Optima. I made myself a 'flush adapter' out of Home Depot parts
The fluid in the reservoir was the amber color of motor oil, but I remember that it was nearly colorless when I last changed it. So I decided it needed changing ASAP.
Disconnected the return line, and found a brass PEX adapter at Home Depot that fit the return line on one side, and a reasonably-sized vinyl tube on the other.
Silicone'd the tube to the fitting, and stuck the other end in the return line. It fits tight enough not to need a clamp. Stuck the vinyl into an old milk jug.
Got the car up on jackstands. Pulled the fuel injector and ignition fuses. Turned the wheel back and forth while cranking to get a flow going. Once I got the fluid moving, all I had to do was turn the wheel back and forth and that pumped the fluid at a nice pace; I'm not sure if I even needed to crank it at all. I had the wife add fluid to the reservoir to keep it topped off.
Flushed through a quart and a half; it started running clean at 3/4ths of a quart but I wanted to make sure I had as much old out as possible.
All I could find was AuzoZone or Prestone brand fluid. Last time I used Castrol or Valvoline Synthetic (can't remember which) but nobody has much choice in PS fluid around here. Neither the AZ or Prestone mentioned any specs on the back and the markings on the bottles were identical (except that one bottle was black, the other yellow), so I went with the cheaper AutoZone fluid.
Next time I'll plan farther in advance and get some synthetic. With my home-made adapter it's an easy enough job to do so I might do it soon.
The fluid in the reservoir was the amber color of motor oil, but I remember that it was nearly colorless when I last changed it. So I decided it needed changing ASAP.
Disconnected the return line, and found a brass PEX adapter at Home Depot that fit the return line on one side, and a reasonably-sized vinyl tube on the other.
Silicone'd the tube to the fitting, and stuck the other end in the return line. It fits tight enough not to need a clamp. Stuck the vinyl into an old milk jug.
Got the car up on jackstands. Pulled the fuel injector and ignition fuses. Turned the wheel back and forth while cranking to get a flow going. Once I got the fluid moving, all I had to do was turn the wheel back and forth and that pumped the fluid at a nice pace; I'm not sure if I even needed to crank it at all. I had the wife add fluid to the reservoir to keep it topped off.
Flushed through a quart and a half; it started running clean at 3/4ths of a quart but I wanted to make sure I had as much old out as possible.
All I could find was AuzoZone or Prestone brand fluid. Last time I used Castrol or Valvoline Synthetic (can't remember which) but nobody has much choice in PS fluid around here. Neither the AZ or Prestone mentioned any specs on the back and the markings on the bottles were identical (except that one bottle was black, the other yellow), so I went with the cheaper AutoZone fluid.
Next time I'll plan farther in advance and get some synthetic. With my home-made adapter it's an easy enough job to do so I might do it soon.
2002 F 150, 168,000 miles
Turkey baster method x 3. I am guessing OEM fill. Filled with some Dex/Merc III and ATF +4 I had around that I needed to use. Am going to do it again in a few weeks and use some Hyundai SP III fluid I need to use up since I sold my Elantra.
It quieted the steering whine almost completly (still there at full lock). Color went from brow to a dark reddish brown, almost clear.
Turkey baster method x 3. I am guessing OEM fill. Filled with some Dex/Merc III and ATF +4 I had around that I needed to use. Am going to do it again in a few weeks and use some Hyundai SP III fluid I need to use up since I sold my Elantra.
It quieted the steering whine almost completly (still there at full lock). Color went from brow to a dark reddish brown, almost clear.
2001 Tahoe
Turkey Baster method, twice. 3rd will happen in the next few weeks. I've staggered the drains, over several weeks, as it doesn't get driven very often.
1st - 16oz of Prestone in.
2nd - 16oz of Maxlife PSF in.
Out - unknown, most likely factory fill.
Turkey Baster method, twice. 3rd will happen in the next few weeks. I've staggered the drains, over several weeks, as it doesn't get driven very often.
1st - 16oz of Prestone in.
2nd - 16oz of Maxlife PSF in.
Out - unknown, most likely factory fill.
2007 G35x 46,465 miles
Out: Assuming factory fill that was past it's prime.
In: ~1.5 quarts of MaxLife ATF using the turkey baster method.
Out: Assuming factory fill that was past it's prime.
In: ~1.5 quarts of MaxLife ATF using the turkey baster method.
2013 Subaru Outback at 34,900 miles. I know. Probably early. In the future I think I'll stay with a 60,000 mile interval.
Took out factory fill. Filled up with Mobil 1 ATF.
Used a 60 cc syringe to suck out the reservoir. Then disconnected the return line and put it in an empty bottle for waste fluid. Filled the reservoir with fresh fluid, and turned the pump by hand until almost a full quart of atf was in the waste bottle.
This worked pretty good, but I think I've found an easier way for next time. The p.s. pump on my Outback has a plastic fitting on the end of the supply line (reservoir to p.s. pump line). The plastic fitting is held onto the p.s. pump by a 10 mm screw through the flange. Remove the screw, and the fitting pulls right off the pump.
If I can get a spare plastic fitting, I can attach a bottle with a hose to the spare fitting. Then, to flush the p.s., take the fitting off the p.s. pump, drop it in a waste container, screw the spare fitting (with bottle) onto the p.s. pump. The bottle will be filled with clean fluid. Turn the bottle upside down and start turning the p.s. pump by hand. Fresh fluid goes from the bottle right into the p.s. pump. Old fluid goes into the waste bottle.
Took out factory fill. Filled up with Mobil 1 ATF.
Used a 60 cc syringe to suck out the reservoir. Then disconnected the return line and put it in an empty bottle for waste fluid. Filled the reservoir with fresh fluid, and turned the pump by hand until almost a full quart of atf was in the waste bottle.
This worked pretty good, but I think I've found an easier way for next time. The p.s. pump on my Outback has a plastic fitting on the end of the supply line (reservoir to p.s. pump line). The plastic fitting is held onto the p.s. pump by a 10 mm screw through the flange. Remove the screw, and the fitting pulls right off the pump.
If I can get a spare plastic fitting, I can attach a bottle with a hose to the spare fitting. Then, to flush the p.s., take the fitting off the p.s. pump, drop it in a waste container, screw the spare fitting (with bottle) onto the p.s. pump. The bottle will be filled with clean fluid. Turn the bottle upside down and start turning the p.s. pump by hand. Fresh fluid goes from the bottle right into the p.s. pump. Old fluid goes into the waste bottle.
today after reading about changing P/S fuild here, (I know better than waiting so long) I changed my 2002 Ford ranger 4x4's 140,000 mile never been changed fuild. Home made suction pump, Installed Mobil 1 ATF. good results so far. Seems smoother? thanks forum.
Changed out ps ATF on 06 Dakota, 99 Mazda last fall with Amsoil ATF, today did 01 Ranger with Maxlife ATF. Used suction bulb on all, worked very well. Dakota and Protege were not bad, Ranger was filthy and black, nice and red after service.
2006 Toyota Sienna, 100k miles, original PS fluid was low but I haven't noticed any evidence of a leak.
Out: unknown original fluid (used mityvac on the reservoir)
In: Valvoline Dex/Merc Dexron III ATF
I am going to do the same thing again next oil change in the spring.
The steering felt better instantly.
Out: unknown original fluid (used mityvac on the reservoir)
In: Valvoline Dex/Merc Dexron III ATF
I am going to do the same thing again next oil change in the spring.
The steering felt better instantly.
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Changed a leaking line on the KIA, so let it drain out for a while refilled it ran it for a bit, did the turkey baster method after words.(1 quart worth of exchanging) I'ts not 100% clear, but it looks very close to new fluid.
Used Valvoline Power Steering Fluid.
Reminds me it's time to do the Chevy too. lol
Used Valvoline Power Steering Fluid.
Reminds me it's time to do the Chevy too. lol
Over the summer this year I changed the PS fluid in all four of my cars; the three in my signature plus a 2006 Saab 9-2X, which is a re-badged Subaru Impreza.
Out: factory fill on the Dodge and Volvo, unsure of the others. I used my Mightyvac brake bleeder to suck out the reservoir.
In: Volvo and Saab 9-5 - Febi-Bilstein 06161, which is green in color and similar to Pentosin CHF 11S
Dodge and Saab 9-2X - Amsoil synthetic ATF
For each vehicle I did a drain & fill once a week for three weeks. Altogether I used almost two quarts of the Febi-Bilstein and about 2.5 quarts of the Amsoil ATF. Can't say it made any difference in the steering feel on the vehicles, but hopefully it makes the steering components last longer.
Out: factory fill on the Dodge and Volvo, unsure of the others. I used my Mightyvac brake bleeder to suck out the reservoir.
In: Volvo and Saab 9-5 - Febi-Bilstein 06161, which is green in color and similar to Pentosin CHF 11S
Dodge and Saab 9-2X - Amsoil synthetic ATF
For each vehicle I did a drain & fill once a week for three weeks. Altogether I used almost two quarts of the Febi-Bilstein and about 2.5 quarts of the Amsoil ATF. Can't say it made any difference in the steering feel on the vehicles, but hopefully it makes the steering components last longer.
Just did a half-quart turkey baster exchange with Amsoil ATF after over 2 years on the Villager (did a full quart exchange with the Amsoil previously). The fluid looked like new so stopped at a half-quart just to "freshen" it up.
Friends 1997 F-150
Out: Unknown fluid, unknown miles
In: Carquest Dexron VI
Out: Unknown fluid, unknown miles
In: Carquest Dexron VI
2002 Ford Ranger
Out: mostly Supertech Mercon V, probably some Castrol Mercon V
In: Motorcraft Mercon V
I did not do a complete change, just suctioned out the pump reservoir with the LiquiVac.
Out: mostly Supertech Mercon V, probably some Castrol Mercon V
In: Motorcraft Mercon V
I did not do a complete change, just suctioned out the pump reservoir with the LiquiVac.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
2001 BMW M5:
Out: AMSOIL ATF
In: AMSOIL ATF
Just a drain/fill of the reservoir.
Out: AMSOIL ATF
In: AMSOIL ATF
Just a drain/fill of the reservoir.
2009 Mazda 5 2.3 litre 5-speed MTX
I discovered I could pull a hose from underneath (easily accessible during an oil change), and drain about half a litre of PSF. Did this, ran the engine for a few minutes, and repeated, for a change-out of about 1 litre of PSF. Refilled both times with AMSOIL Universal ATF. (Mazda specifies ATF rather than a dedicated PSF.)
Will likely do one drain & fill every oil change going forward.
I discovered I could pull a hose from underneath (easily accessible during an oil change), and drain about half a litre of PSF. Did this, ran the engine for a few minutes, and repeated, for a change-out of about 1 litre of PSF. Refilled both times with AMSOIL Universal ATF. (Mazda specifies ATF rather than a dedicated PSF.)
Will likely do one drain & fill every oil change going forward.
2011 Honda CRV with ~21500 miles
Out: Unknown PSF, probably factory fill
In: O'Reilly Honda PSF
Out: Unknown PSF, probably factory fill
In: O'Reilly Honda PSF
It's an ongoing process.
Drain the reservoir every 3-4 months, and top up.
Most recently with Maxlife ATF, but recently local shop has abandoned maxlife, and I use "Chief" synthetic multi vehicle ATF.
Last day of autumn today, and Caprice is groaning again, so time to play turkey baster again.
OVERKILL has stated that Amsoil is VII free, so might try tofind it on ebay and get that happening.
Drain the reservoir every 3-4 months, and top up.
Most recently with Maxlife ATF, but recently local shop has abandoned maxlife, and I use "Chief" synthetic multi vehicle ATF.
Last day of autumn today, and Caprice is groaning again, so time to play turkey baster again.
OVERKILL has stated that Amsoil is VII free, so might try tofind it on ebay and get that happening.
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