Power steering question?

[jeepzj]

How much power steering fluid is too much? I checked the fluid level as soon as I got home so the engine was really Hot. With the engine OFF, when I removed the cap to check the level it was a little less than a 1/4" above the Hot line. Is that too high? Also, if you look at the opposite side of where the Cold and Hot markings are, the level was way passed HOT...but that was on the opposite side of the markings and the cap screws in slanted towards that side.

Also, when I rev the engine it makes a zzzzzzzzzzz sound which seems to be coming from the power steering pump when I put my ear to it(as close as I can). I hardly hear it when idling. Would too much fluid make a noise like that from the power steering? What do you think that sound is? Thanks.

 

[Ken2]

That sound is your power steering sliding your wallet out of your hip pocket.

You can try
1) removing all the PS fluid
2) adding new stuff (whatever's specified in your owner's manual) and one ounce of Auto-Rx per quart of fluid, install a filter on the return line (Magnefine or SPXFiltran automatic transmission filter)
3) Removing this after 1000 miles or so and adding new fluid and a new filter.

One way to change the power steering fluid it to suck it out of the reservoir (turkey baster, remove a hose, or whatever works), add new fluid, run the engine and turn the wheel a few times, and flush again, maybe three or four times.

Best of luck,
Ken

 

[jeepzj]

But my power steering feels fine. Is it only a matter of time? It had never been flushed before so I plan on flushing it by sucking out the fluid from the resevoir using a syphon then filling with fresh fluid. Do that maybe three times to get a decent flush. I have some Amsoil ATF laying around, would that be ok and how much fluid does the resevoir hold?...it a '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo I6.

 

[jeepzj]

I went to Autozone and picked up 2 quarts of Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid to perform a flush. This is what I did:

-Used a turkey baster to suck out the old fluid out of the resevoir(the most I could get out was 8 ounces).
-Re-filled with 8 ounces of new Valvoline fluid then closed cap.
-Started engine and turned the steering wheel lock to lock a few times then let it idle for a minute.
-Performed the same procedure until I used up one quart of the Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid.

Should I perform the procedure agian with the other quart or is one quart good enough? By the way, Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid is ok to use for my '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, right? The manual says to use petroleum based PS fluid and NOT use ATF. I figured Valvoline syn blend PS fluid would be ok.

[ August 22, 2003, 06:57 PM: Message edited by: jeepzj ]

 

[jeepzj]

Someone throw me a bone.

 

[sbc350gearhead]

The valvoline stuff should be OK. I used to use it in my vehicles that required power steering fluid (not ATF) and never had a problem.

 

[Rick in PA]

Here's a post with details of a power steering fluid change I did.

I'd say you need 4 or 5 quarts to fully flush the system.

 

[Robbie Alexander]

quote:

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Originally posted by jeepzj:
Snip

Should I perform the procedure agian with the other quart or is one quart good enough?
snip

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Well I had a ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzz sound when mine hit in the mid 200's and I had it flushed with BG on a machine awhile(it took a gallon - maybe half) before it was clean. Still slightly ZZZzzz'ed
but not much, and I added an oil thickener/cleaner and it stopped (so far over 100K). IT may help or you may have gone too long????

 

[RZ28]

I did the same procedure as jeepzp over the course of 2 weeks and now I've developed an intermittent groan in the PS pump.

Originally had pyroil dino ps fluid in there (2yr old) and this time I used a quart of the valvoline synpower ps fluid. Don't know if I should redo it with another qt of synpower or with maxlife dino ps fluid or what?

BTW, the car is a 70k '97 Z28 and was not making any noises before the flush.