On my Toyota Avalon, the PS pump went after 10 months, I wonder if it is b/c I used PS fluid instead of the recommended ATF. I wonder why the car companies recommend ATF and not PS fluid for the PS system?
Why is ATF Recommended for PS System
- Thread starter parimento1
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Usually it is ATF that is recommended for PS. Check the users manual for the substitute PS fluid, if it is Dexron/Mercon, Mobil 1 syn ATF is a very good choice.
I have Mobil 1 on both my Japanese vehicles and it is much better than the recommended OEM fluids.
I have Mobil 1 on both my Japanese vehicles and it is much better than the recommended OEM fluids.
Yea my car states Dex II as it is a 97.
I suppose a good Dex III or above would work fine?
I suppose a good Dex III or above would work fine?
ATF acts as a hydraulic fluid as well as a lubricant, so it is appropriate for use in power steering systems.
ATF is probably spec'd to simplify things. It is one less fluid dealers have to stock if they can have one fluid serving two purposes. I'm sure it simplifies things during manufacturing as well.
If the PS fluid is thicker/thinner than ATF, it could have caused a problem. Who knows. From now on though, I would stick to ATF.
ATF is probably spec'd to simplify things. It is one less fluid dealers have to stock if they can have one fluid serving two purposes. I'm sure it simplifies things during manufacturing as well.
If the PS fluid is thicker/thinner than ATF, it could have caused a problem. Who knows. From now on though, I would stick to ATF.
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I had to buy a car new enough to ever realize that there was such a thing as non-ATF PS fluid. Back when I was a gas jockey ..the PS fluid was ATF ..just smaller cans.
I've never had a reason to buy it. I do ponder why Amsoil doesn't either package a suitable hydraulic synthetic as a PS fluid ..nor spec the ATF.
Looks like RP and RL have synthetic PS fluid ..Valvoline has a blend (just a quick google- I'm sure Audi has some $89.54/3oz bottle stuff that meets NASA spec 409-AB3J29)
I've never had a reason to buy it. I do ponder why Amsoil doesn't either package a suitable hydraulic synthetic as a PS fluid ..nor spec the ATF.
Looks like RP and RL have synthetic PS fluid ..Valvoline has a blend (just a quick google- I'm sure Audi has some $89.54/3oz bottle stuff that meets NASA spec 409-AB3J29)
I think ATF is a better product than plain PSF.
I have recently flushed my PS with ATF fluid and the old PS fluid has this weird burnt smell to it. I hope the PS isn't gonna go out soon!
Somehow even fresh PS fluid have a burnt smell. Or it's just a 15 year old bottle of PS fluid standing in my shelf.
What is in PS fluid anyways?
Somehow even fresh PS fluid have a burnt smell. Or it's just a 15 year old bottle of PS fluid standing in my shelf.
What is in PS fluid anyways?
Parimento1,
Do you mean that your P/S Pump went after 10 months of using P/S Fluid instead of Dexron or, 10 months after replacing the P/S Pump?
Our friends '98 Toyots Sienna factory installed P/S Pump was replaced in the fall of '06(8 years old) and only Dexron ATF was used as the P/S Fluid.
So, if your P/S Pump was the factory unit then, I think that the pump was going to fail anyway and the fluid you used had nothing to do with it.
Do you mean that your P/S Pump went after 10 months of using P/S Fluid instead of Dexron or, 10 months after replacing the P/S Pump?
Our friends '98 Toyots Sienna factory installed P/S Pump was replaced in the fall of '06(8 years old) and only Dexron ATF was used as the P/S Fluid.
So, if your P/S Pump was the factory unit then, I think that the pump was going to fail anyway and the fluid you used had nothing to do with it.
Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I do ponder why Amsoil doesn't either package a suitable hydraulic synthetic as a PS fluid ..nor spec the ATF.
Per Amsoil application guide for a 1997 Toyota Avalon:
Quote:
Fluids
Power Steering Fluid.....AF3
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid(ATD)
Amsoil ATF
Quote:
Excellent for power steering units that use ATF.
I do ponder why Amsoil doesn't either package a suitable hydraulic synthetic as a PS fluid ..nor spec the ATF.
Per Amsoil application guide for a 1997 Toyota Avalon:
Quote:
Fluids
Power Steering Fluid.....AF3
Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
Torque-Drive™ Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid(ATD)
Amsoil ATF
Quote:
Excellent for power steering units that use ATF.
Indeed - tell us more how it failed and what PS fluid you used. ATF is recommended as you know.....
I used the Amsoil ATF in my 2000 Camry for a little over one year, so far so good. The steering is easier and lighter. There is an instruction on how to flush the Toyota P/S fluid with picture in ToyotaNation forum under Camry. It is a simple process.
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Sure, Pabs. I surely expect AFT (Amsoil) to be recommended where atf is spec'd.
I guess there really is not too much of a market for synthetic PS fluid. Most people don't change it outside of BITOG (jumping up and down: I did! I did!!) and most people with leaks that require make up aren't going to buy a synthetic at a premium price.
I did (!) swap out my mom's 86 Corsica's PS fluid with M1 back in the 90's some time ..as well as the atf. World of difference in both in cold weather. It was a lot harder to find back then outside of Amsoil.
I wonder if bruce or Molakule have the fat on potential liabilities between common generic PS and those spec'ing ATF. Now I could surely see some applications not wanting TYPE F ..but other than some seal compatibility issue ..
I think the stuff is just clear hydraulic fluid of the proper visc. I'd surely like confirmation on that, though.
I guess there really is not too much of a market for synthetic PS fluid. Most people don't change it outside of BITOG (jumping up and down: I did! I did!!) and most people with leaks that require make up aren't going to buy a synthetic at a premium price.
I did (!) swap out my mom's 86 Corsica's PS fluid with M1 back in the 90's some time ..as well as the atf. World of difference in both in cold weather. It was a lot harder to find back then outside of Amsoil.
I wonder if bruce or Molakule have the fat on potential liabilities between common generic PS and those spec'ing ATF. Now I could surely see some applications not wanting TYPE F ..but other than some seal compatibility issue ..
Quote:
I think the stuff is just clear hydraulic fluid of the proper visc.
That's what I'm thinking as well. I'm using Amsoil ATF in the PS of my Father's Elantra right now that spec's PS fluid. No problems so far. All the other cars I service spec ATF.
Hyundai PS fluid was like $15 a quart.
I think the stuff is just clear hydraulic fluid of the proper visc.
That's what I'm thinking as well. I'm using Amsoil ATF in the PS of my Father's Elantra right now that spec's PS fluid. No problems so far. All the other cars I service spec ATF.
Hyundai PS fluid was like $15 a quart.
ATF is VERY similar to hydraulic fluid - a few additives are different [and no red dye!].
They are interchangeable, usually.
Honda PS systems have special needs, and should only use their own PS fluid.
Also, dealerships only have to stock one fluid for manual or automatic transmissions, and PS systems.
They are interchangeable, usually.
Honda PS systems have special needs, and should only use their own PS fluid.
Also, dealerships only have to stock one fluid for manual or automatic transmissions, and PS systems.
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ATF from what little I have come across in my readings, appears to be thinner than any OTC engine oil, having a higher VI (M1's is 199), which also enable better flow in the cold (M1's 5190 cP @ -40c). Oh, and less/some differing additives over engine oil.
Take care.
Take care.
JTK
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Yep, that's what I always thought. Automotive PS is just a simple hydraulic system. ATF is close enough to hydraulic fluid.
Joel
Joel
OK here goes, the original factory power steering pump imploded internally last December, lost all power steering, and threw metal all over the system. This means the original pump lasted 10 years so I can't complain. My mechanic flushed out the system and installed a remaned pump. This December (3 days ago), from what I could see, the pump shaft seal blew, flinging fluid all over the engine compartment. I was wondering if the bad sealing could have been caused by using PS fluid, when in fact ATF was specified by Toyota on the cap of the PS reservoir. Or if it was caused by a defect during remanufacture. As far as what PS fluid I used, it was Pyroil I think, it was very cheap.
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What kind of maintenance was done during those 10 years?
hehe to be honest NO maintenance was done, however, the fluid was changed once in its life due to the replacement of a PS rack, which was leaking. I hear this is common on the Toyota's
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