Powersteering Fluid

[c3po]

My Mom has a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with 112,000 miles, I recently helped my Dad change the battery and he told me that when he bought the last battery 5 years ago and had the Chevy Dealer put it in that they checked the condition of all of the fluids.

He told me back in 2005 all of the fluids were fine, but the service advisor told my Dad the powersteering fluid was getting dark, of course my Dad did not do anything. I never checked the powersteering fluid since my Mom brings the car to the dealer according to the owner's manual maintenance schedule, I figured the powersteering fluid had been changed.

I took the powersteering cap off and I sucked out some powersteering fluid, it was BLACK.

So I spent this afternoon sucking out fluid, putting in new fluid, and going for a short drive around the area doing 3 point turns and pulling in and out of everyone's driveway.

I have sucked out 3 quarts of powersteering fluid while putting back 3 quarts of new fluid. All 3 clear quart bottles of used powersteering fluid look the same, meaning the used fluid is still dark.

I have 3 more quarts of powersteering fluid, my mechanic friend thinks that if I keep sucking the fluid out and put in new fluid that the color will not change much, he just thinks the powersteering system has 12 years of broken down junk.

My Dad does not want to pay for a powersteering flush and the powersteering is working fine.

Do I keep sucking out the fluid and keep putting in new fluid.

 

[mopar_monkey]

they make a power steering flush that works really well, i use them all the time with good results. but i think they are only available to the professional market, i can't remember ever seeing one in a parts store.

 

[UncleS2]

At 3 qts already done, with PS working fine, I'd say- save your remaining new fluid and wait awhile. Let it go for a few months- when you're doing the winter-prep oil change on that car in Oct/Nov, siphon & fill the PS again then. Long term, make it a point to do it twice a year after that. I would *Not* drive myself nuts trying to get nice new-looking fluid to come out.

 

[mechtech2]

3 full qts is a LOT of turkey baster flushing!
It should be getting better!
You almost certainly have near 100% fresh fluid in there.
Old debris is in nooks and crannies, and is contaminating the fresh fluid.
Give it a rest for a month, and try again. You are Helping things for sure, BTW.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
3 full qts is a LOT of turkey baster flushing!


Since I was able to suck out about 8 ounces of fluid that is 16 times with the Turkey Baster.

Quote:
It should be getting better!
You almost certainly have near 100% fresh fluid in there


I noticed with the last 2 times sucking the fluid out that it was clearer.

Quote:
Old debris is in nooks and crannies, and is contaminating the fresh fluid


I agree, I also think the black color could be that the power steering hoses are deteriorating.