Procedure for changing P/S fluid in Crown Vic

[synthetic_crazy]

On my next oil change I am going to employ the "turkey baster" method of changing the power steering fluid on my '09 Crown Vic. What is the general consensus on the preferred method?

Do you:

1. Siphon all the fluid out of the reservoir, refill, and repeat at next oil change.

OR

2. Siphon all the fluid out of the reservoir, refill, take a short drive, siphon the fluid out again and refill.

I will be using Motorcraft Mercon V for the power steering fluid.

 

[Oil Changer]

The only way I got any meaningful fluid out quickly was to have the vehicle up on jacks and rotate the wheel lock to lock. I started by siphoning most out of the reservoir and re-filling with fresh. Return hose extended into a bucket. I repeated until clear.

 

[Blokey]

+1

If the p/s fluid is somewhat clean and you're doing the turkey baster d&f as a maintenance activity then I think #1 is fine.

Have you ever looked in the p/s reservoir while the engine's running? In both my wife's Ford Freestyle and my Acura 3.2TL, the p/s fluid circulates at a high flow rate. If you were to do #2, I don't think you really need to take a short drive - with a p/s system's small fluid capacity I'd suspect the fluid would be completely circulated after just a minute or two of idling.

In any case, as a true BITOGer I bet you're doing more p/s maintenance (if any) than what the OM says.

 

[gman2304]

I did several siphons and refills...I drove my truck several days between each siphon and fill....not for any good reason.

 

[Sam2000]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
The only way I got any meaningful fluid out quickly was to have the vehicle up on jacks and rotate the wheel lock to lock. I started by siphoning most out of the reservoir and re-filling with fresh. Return hose extended into a bucket. I repeated until clear.


+1 and don't forget to use Maxlife.

 

[tig1]

For many yeras now I use the turkey baster method every engine oil change(10K) with Mobil 1 ATF. I also do this with the master brake fluid. Has worked very well for me.

 

[Boss302fan]

Originally Posted By: tig1
For many yeras now I use the turkey baster method every engine oil change(10K) with Mobil 1 ATF. I also do this with the master brake fluid. Has worked very well for me.


DITTO... You can also use Maxlife ATF or even a power steering fluid like Lucas, etc.

 

[JamesBond]

I would do 2 since You'll already have your tools/stuff out. I do the ps fluid when I do the transmission fluid in my town car. I use a pump from harbor freight to do the deed.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Boss302fan
Originally Posted By: tig1
For many yeras now I use the turkey baster method every engine oil change(10K) with Mobil 1 ATF. I also do this with the master brake fluid. Has worked very well for me.


DITTO... You can also use Maxlife ATF or even a power steering fluid like Lucas, etc.

Yes, you can use this with ATF or power steering fluid, but unless there is a problem with the car, I don't recommend Lucas power steering fluid.

 

[901Memphis]

If it hasn't been done in a while I will turkey baste one fill every few days. I don't feel a short drive mixes the sump effectively as verified by my going from Prestone clear amber fluid and changing to Royal Purple and driving a few miles with lots of turns and the sump didn't lighten color much.

I recommend AMSOIL power steering fluid.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

Update: I siphoned the old power steering fluid out which was quite dark.

I refilled and drove it for a couple weeks and repeated the process. I refilled it with Mobil 1 synthetic ATF and the steering feels much more firm. I'll repeat this process at each oil change--it is significantly cheaper than a new rack and pinion unit!

 

[SHOZ]

Put a drop of the fluid on a white napkin and you can really see how much crud is in it.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Oil Changer
The only way I got any meaningful fluid out quickly was to have the vehicle up on jacks and rotate the wheel lock to lock. I started by siphoning most out of the reservoir and re-filling with fresh. Return hose extended into a bucket. I repeated until clear.


+1 When its possible i remove the belt and turn the pump with a cordless variable speed drill in the normal rotation direction (sometimes an angle drill gets in there).
Remove the return hose put it in a container (you may need some plastic tubing to extend its reach) and run the pump slowly while filling the new fluid in. You get as close to 100% exchange as possible with the least amount of fluid.