Power Steering Fluid changing colour quickly and PS flush products

[DV0993]

Hi all,

I have changed my PS fluid on my RX330 multiple times with Amsoil PS fluid.

It continues to turn black very quickly. I have a new reservoir and hoses ready to install; but a friend of mine recommended a power steering flush product before changing the hoses and reservoir.

Is there any merit to this?

 

[dnewton3]

No.
You don't need flush products.
Just drain/fill with the appropriate fluid.

 

[barkingspider]

Install the new reservoir and hoses, and refill w amsoil PS. I thought the RX330 PS fluid is dex/merc?

 

[Leo99]

I don't know. My 2005 RAV4 went to the junkyard with its factory PS fluid at 400k miles. What problem are you trying to fix?

 

[DV0993]

I don't know. My 2005 RAV4 went to the junkyard with its factory PS fluid at 400k miles. What problem are you trying to fix?

Wow! It used to screech and bind up in cold weather - This disappeared after several amsoil drain and fills

 

[eljefino]

So it's just the color that bothers you. I'm confident the oil is now in good shape.

WAG, but maybe the hoses are disintegrating internally, shedding carbon black into the oil.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

If it's working, I wouldn't flush with anything. Probably end up with leaks.

 

[JeffKeryk]

These cars are easy peasey to PS flush. Drain reservoir (I use my MityVac). Pull return line and suck system dry using MityVac via return line. Plug reservoir port...
Optional: Remove and brake clean spray your reservoir.
Fill reservoir with fresh ATF and suck thru with MityVac; continue to fill as fluid is sucked thru PS system.
Let reservoir run low to avoid spillage and replace return line.
Fill reservoir and bleed any bubbles. I like to raise front tires and do a slow lock-to-lock.

 

[webfors]

I started extracting and filling the PS reservoirs with clean fluid every couple of years. I drive the car around for a day or so in between the two - three extractions. Steering is smoother and I don't get that jumpy nonsense when at full turn radius like I used to with the old fluid. Old fluid came out pretty ugly in the Van, and Mopar ATF+ went in. One quart every couple of years.

 

[martinq]

Don't forget to add magnets into the system where you can, the main contaminant in PS fluid is metal wear particles.

 

[webfors]

Don't forget to add magnets into the system where you can, the main contaminant in PS fluid is metal wear particles.

Interesting. Where would you put this? At the top of the reservoir, so it's submersed in fluid at min?

 

[webfors]

These cars are easy peasey to PS flush. Drain reservoir (I use my MityVac). Pull return line and suck system dry using MityVac via return line. Plug reservoir port...
Optional: Remove and brake clean spray your reservoir.
Fill reservoir with fresh ATF and suck thru with MityVac; continue to fill as fluid is sucked thru PS system.
Let reservoir run low to avoid spillage and replace return line.
Fill reservoir and bleed any bubbles. I like to raise front tires and do a slow lock-to-lock.

Recommended MityVac? Lots of options.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Recommended MityVac? Lots of options.

MityVac 7201

 

[FTTSHO]

I’ve noticed this too on my 2001 Blazer with the 4.3 vortec.

I flushed the power steering fluid one time, and exchanged all of it with brand new atf. The fluid turned dark after a couple days of driving. This could be just the atf turning darker (which is normal with heat exposure), or it could just be loosening up buildup of dirt and gunk in the system. My car is supposed to take regular clear power steering fluid, but I just use atf because I have plenty of it.

I would not worry about the fluid turning dark quick. If you’re worried, just flush it again and see what happens.

 

[martinq]

Interesting. Where would you put this? At the top of the reservoir, so it's submersed in fluid at min?

Submersed, as long as the fluid is circulating over the magnet. On older systems with metal reservoirs it's easier to just add magnets to the sides/bottom of the tank. With newer, plastic tanks it can be tricky as you don't want to potentially block the flow (magnets don't stick to plastic).

 

[martinq]

I’ve noticed this too on my 2001 Blazer with the 4.3 vortec.

I flushed the power steering fluid one time, and exchanged all of it with brand new atf. The fluid turned dark after a couple days of driving. This could be just the atf turning darker (which is normal with heat exposure), or it could just be loosening up buildup of dirt and gunk in the system. My car is supposed to take regular clear power steering fluid, but I just use atf because I have plenty of it.

I would not worry about the fluid turning dark quick. If you’re worried, just flush it again and see what happens.

PSF should not turn dark, if it does, it's contaminated with metal or cooked.

 

[FTTSHO]

PSF should not turn dark, if it does, it's contaminated with metal or cooked.

I use automatic transmission fluid in my power steering. ATF turns dark red after some heat cycles. It’s normal. I don’t see any metal, and the fluid doesn’t smell burnt at all.

 

[MolaKule]

WAG, but maybe the hoses are disintegrating internally, shedding carbon black into the oil.

@DV0993 Sounds like new hoses are in order.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Wow! It used to screech and bind up in cold weather - This disappeared after several amsoil drain and fills

Not shocked