did a drain and fill from the cooler lines underneath the car, so as much atf+4 was drained out as I possibly could. Dumped a few ounces into the reservoir and did lock to lock again and it came out less red, so I put the line back on and dumped the remaining High Mileage Supertech 0w20 in and it took the rest of the quart. Nothing really interesting happened, there’s no noticeable difference from the atf. Tomorrow I’ll clean off the areas that were weeping and monitor for more seepage
Put HM 0w20 in power steering system
- Thread starter Lockasiam
- Start date
Why would not use Power Steering fluid? I’m not 100% certain, but I think it might be specifically made for power steering systems.
On another note, I cannot tell you how tempted I am to start a thick vs thin engine oil for power steering fluid thread.
On another note, I cannot tell you how tempted I am to start a thick vs thin engine oil for power steering fluid thread.
Cheaper, ($9.74 vs 4.98 pretax) and you got it right on the nose with the seal conditioners.
Too thick and you cook the pump too thin and I don’t know what that would do but probably not anything good
The people on the ChryslerMinivan forum say that’s a Nono for 4th and 5th gen vans. Can’t remember why, but the 3rd gen’s used regular PSF so it can’t be too bad of a reason
because most vehicle manufacturers manufactures, and Chrysler as far back as my '05 Neon, simplified their chemical supply by just using the same stuff they put in their transmissions into the power steering system... instead of ordering power steering fluid, atf, brake fluid, and motor oil, they cut out the one that mattered least and just put the atf in the PS system... IIRC most of the systems aren't terribly picky, it's just a basic hydraulic pump.
I figured that’s why they did it
performance was no different than the atf. i'd say 0w20 is a good substitute
I've never heard of using motor oil in the power steering reservoir...ATF or PS fluid yes but...hear something new every day.
Good luck with your choice
Bill
Good luck with your choice
Bill
It's fine. I'm sure that SP oil won't foam or at least enough to cause issues as it's part of the requirements. That's the main thing most PS pumps care about. They're just hydraulic pumps. Walmart does sell HM atf for 5 and change though.
Have you tried it in your neutered brake system?
I cannot wait to see how it works in Winter in Indiana.
It's common in GM t-cases to swap ATF for lightweight motor oil, so the general idea of exchanging ATF for motor oil is not without precedent. And yes, technically t-cases have a small fluid pump.
But as Javier says -- and brings a nice dose of common sense to the thread -- it's just a hydraulic pump. Most p/s systems aren't that picky and if they can generate pressure, the system works and all is well.
Furthermore when p/s was first designed oils like 0W20 were not even conceived. You needed a clear "lightweight" oil and so ATF was selected as a readily available automotive fluid (vs tractor fluid or hydraulic oil for log splitters, etc)
But as Javier says -- and brings a nice dose of common sense to the thread -- it's just a hydraulic pump. Most p/s systems aren't that picky and if they can generate pressure, the system works and all is well.
Furthermore when p/s was first designed oils like 0W20 were not even conceived. You needed a clear "lightweight" oil and so ATF was selected as a readily available automotive fluid (vs tractor fluid or hydraulic oil for log splitters, etc)
No but that will be fixed and over with today! would've been yesterday but orileys lost my calliper rebuild kit...
That's the final test
Like Coming to America, I flushed my toilet and eventually my phone stopped ringing.
We have conclusive evidence Dex/Merc caused your failure and the pump wasn't just old?
I have a 1996 Ford Contour, bought new, that takes Type F in the PS. I had a leaky hose replaced and the shop used Mercon V to replace what fluid was lost. It didn't cause any problems but my yearly "turkey baster" PS changes since have been Type F, all is still well.
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