The stuff that was in my P/S...

[SuperDave456]

The story goes like this.
Every other month for the past 6 months or so I took out the turkey baster I set aside to "drain" my Power Steering pump. Then I would refill it with Mobil 1 Multi Vehicle Synthetic ATF.

I would then put the used fluid in a clean 1 gallon bottle, and that bottle lives in a crate in the back of my Taurus. I have drained and refilled my '02 Ford Taurus 3 times, it has about 138,000 miles. I have drained and refilled my wife's '04 Nissan Xterra 2 times. And finally, the scary black fluid in my Sisters Taurus once.
The turkey baster has seen alot of mileage.

So the clear gallon bottle, which formally held windshield washer fluid, was about 1/2 way full if not a little more. And had been sitting in my hot trunk for the good part of 6 months.

Well, I decided to go by Auto Zone tonight and dump the stuff in the recycle ben.
Lo and Behold, the bottom of the CLEAR plastic bottle is now stained with about 1/8 inch thick of junk. All of it came out of the power steering pumps via the turkey baster.

Anyone who has ever told me, "That wont work, all the junk is in the pump where you cant get to it." and my favorite "Whats wrong with the P/S fluid that is in there? It dosent go bad."
I now have proof that they are wrong. Their is sludge in them their pumps. And you can get to it with a turkey baster!

I know I need pics, and I will get some tomorrow.(Then I will have to learn how to link the pics.)
Just thought I would give yall a heads up!

BTW, I have 2oz of Auto RX in my P/S right now with some Mobil 1 ATF. I know Auto RX dosent work that well with Synthetics, but I didnt really think about it too much as I had about 2oz left in a bottle.

 

[bobfather99]

Sounds like the A-rx is working. I always thought that A-rx doesnt agree with Hi-Mileage oils too well, syn oils ok.

 

[JackFish]

Why is there [censored] in your PS system?
Seals going bad?

 

[PandaBear]

Almost any used PS fluid or oil that comes out of a car, if kept in a container long enough, will have a layer of residue fall out of suspension and deposit at the bottom of the container. I think these are the detergent attached particles and moisture.

Nothing to worry about as long as you change the fluid on a regular basis.

 

[unDummy]

I've seen it with gear oil and motor oil too.

That is why a siphon/refill of your PSF at every oil change is a benefit, and why we all should update to the best equivalent required.

Inline filter is a plus!

 

[mechtech2]

Right. It's so clean and easy to do. A couple of swaps in quick succession [after starting the car] is even better.

 

[sunfire]

This is better than the turkey baster method...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19334

Not sure if you can even do this with your reservoir. But this cycles fresh ATF through the PS and pushes out all the old fluid and sludge. You get more new ATF in and more sludge/dirt out this way.

I used DexVI in place of DexIII in my 05 Corolla.

 

[sw99]

Originally Posted By: sunfire
This is better than the turkey baster method...

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19334

Not sure if you can even do this with your reservoir. But this cycles fresh ATF through the PS and pushes out all the old fluid and sludge. You get more new ATF in and more sludge/dirt out this way.

I used DexVI in place of DexIII in my 05 Corolla.


Nice, thanks for posting the link!