An employee at Advance Auto put water in the power steering fluid on my 2005 Honda Civic LX. The pump was NOT happy. It was whining. I of corse changed the fluid ASAP and the noise went away after 2 flushes and 10 minutes of driving. I pulled the return hose off of the reservoir and turned the wheel back and forth to force out the old fluid.I then put the hose back on and refill the system with Advance Auto brand Honda fluid. I am changing the fluid every day. My first question is how much fluid does the system take when COMPLETELY BONE DRY? My second question is do I get more fluid out if I disconnect the lines from the rack and pinion and turn the wheel than disconnecting the return line and turning the wheel? Thank you for your help.
Water in the power steering fluid
- Thread starter Avery4
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We got into an argument because they did not want to replace the NGK spark plugs that failed under warranty. I went inside to talk to the manager and I caught him with a turkey baster draining the bottle and when I came out it was empty. He quickly filled it with water. Another employee saw it and he was fired on the spot.
Wut?
Was this supposed to be a retaliation for wanting your spark plugs replaced?
Was this supposed to be a retaliation for wanting your spark plugs replaced?
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If you take the belt off do you have room to turn the pump with a cordless drill with a socket or bit attached?
I have done this on other Honda's but not a Civic.
Disconnect the serpentine belt, remove the return hose from the reservoir and put it in a jug, you can use a piece of PCV hose in the original rubber return hose to get more length.
Turn the pump slowly with the drill in the direction of normal rotation while feeding the reservoir.
This should clear all the contaminated fluid out. Run the car a few days and repeat if the fluid doesn't look like new.
I would talk to the Manager at the store and have them pick up the cost of fluid and an hours labor. They do it. Have him note what happened in case there is future problems.
What this kid did is criminal.
I have done this on other Honda's but not a Civic.
Disconnect the serpentine belt, remove the return hose from the reservoir and put it in a jug, you can use a piece of PCV hose in the original rubber return hose to get more length.
Turn the pump slowly with the drill in the direction of normal rotation while feeding the reservoir.
This should clear all the contaminated fluid out. Run the car a few days and repeat if the fluid doesn't look like new.
I would talk to the Manager at the store and have them pick up the cost of fluid and an hours labor. They do it. Have him note what happened in case there is future problems.
What this kid did is criminal.
Originally Posted By: Trav
I would talk to the Manager at the store and have them pick up the cost of fluid and an hours labor. They do it. Have him note what happened in case there is future problems.
What this kid did is criminal.
X2. Talk to the manager, they can get it covered.
If the manager doesn't respond, call corporate, they WILL.
It is pretty unbeliveable that happened. Four spark plugs is peanuts to Advance, and isn't coming out of any store employee's pocket. That's a no-brainer return. The turkey baster bandit must have had some real issues to sabotage a customer's car.
I would talk to the Manager at the store and have them pick up the cost of fluid and an hours labor. They do it. Have him note what happened in case there is future problems.
What this kid did is criminal.
X2. Talk to the manager, they can get it covered.
If the manager doesn't respond, call corporate, they WILL.
It is pretty unbeliveable that happened. Four spark plugs is peanuts to Advance, and isn't coming out of any store employee's pocket. That's a no-brainer return. The turkey baster bandit must have had some real issues to sabotage a customer's car.
[censored] with doing it yourself, have them cover having the dealer do it.
JHZR2
Staff member
This story is so horrible I almost think it is fake.
Really? Drain psf with a turkey baster they luckily had on hand, then pour water in?
Why not just pour water in the engine through the oil filler... Or even the gas tank?
I'm really sorry if this happened, but it's so odd that it seems far fetched.
Really? Drain psf with a turkey baster they luckily had on hand, then pour water in?
Why not just pour water in the engine through the oil filler... Or even the gas tank?
I'm really sorry if this happened, but it's so odd that it seems far fetched.
Any damage to the rack?
Originally Posted By: Avery4
Why not unplug the fuel injectors and crank it?
You could do that. I just find i have more control with the drill, you can turn it at lower RPM, with cranking its about 200 RPM and you need an assistant or a starter button.
You want to fill as its coming out as not to introduce air into the pump. On cars where you cant do the drill this would be the to go.
Why not unplug the fuel injectors and crank it?
You could do that. I just find i have more control with the drill, you can turn it at lower RPM, with cranking its about 200 RPM and you need an assistant or a starter button.
You want to fill as its coming out as not to introduce air into the pump. On cars where you cant do the drill this would be the to go.
Originally Posted By: Trav
You want to fill as its coming out as not to introduce air into the pump. On cars where you cant do the drill this would be the to go.
Having air in the system is better than water. At least air will work its way out after a few lock to lock turns.
Water in the system will ruin the pump and other components eventually.
You want to fill as its coming out as not to introduce air into the pump. On cars where you cant do the drill this would be the to go.
Having air in the system is better than water. At least air will work its way out after a few lock to lock turns.
Water in the system will ruin the pump and other components eventually.
Originally Posted By: Avery4
My first question is how much fluid does the system take when COMPLETELY BONE DRY? My second question is do I get more fluid out if I disconnect the lines from the rack and pinion and turn the wheel than disconnecting the return line and turning the wheel? Thank you for your help.
There is always a certain small amount of moisture in the power steering from condensation and the atmosphere.
If you have it power flushed you should be fine. Ask the perpetrators to pick up the tab.
My first question is how much fluid does the system take when COMPLETELY BONE DRY? My second question is do I get more fluid out if I disconnect the lines from the rack and pinion and turn the wheel than disconnecting the return line and turning the wheel? Thank you for your help.
There is always a certain small amount of moisture in the power steering from condensation and the atmosphere.
If you have it power flushed you should be fine. Ask the perpetrators to pick up the tab.
if this really happened a letter to corporate is in order
I never knew Advance Auto employees ever worked on customer's cars. It is not like they have a repair bay or two.
So you are saying that the said employee went to your car with turkey baster in his pocket and and had bottle of water in the other pocket.
Also you had the hood up of your car so that you could show the employee how your spark plug were not working correctly.
I think we are not getting the full story here. Anybody else with me?
So you are saying that the said employee went to your car with turkey baster in his pocket and and had bottle of water in the other pocket.
Also you had the hood up of your car so that you could show the employee how your spark plug were not working correctly.
I think we are not getting the full story here. Anybody else with me?
MolaKule
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Vikas
I never knew Advance Auto employees ever worked on customer's cars. It is not like they have a repair bay or two.
So you are saying that the said employee went to your car with turkey baster in his pocket and and had bottle of water in the other pocket.
Also you had the hood up of your car so that you could show the employee how your spark plug were not working correctly.
I think we are not getting the full story here. Anybody else with me?
Yes.
If the OP had an issue with AA, he should take it up with AA and or get an attorney, rather than posting his silly diatribe here.
I never knew Advance Auto employees ever worked on customer's cars. It is not like they have a repair bay or two.
So you are saying that the said employee went to your car with turkey baster in his pocket and and had bottle of water in the other pocket.
Also you had the hood up of your car so that you could show the employee how your spark plug were not working correctly.
I think we are not getting the full story here. Anybody else with me?
Yes.
If the OP had an issue with AA, he should take it up with AA and or get an attorney, rather than posting his silly diatribe here.
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