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Changing Power Steering Fluid


Andrewkb
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Neutral Newbie

Hi,

 

This is from the Honda workshop manual .. funny that it recommend to run it dry then pour in PSF !?!

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(edited)

Wah! I can't stand the whining sound when the PSP sucks in air! dead.gif Honda wants to reallly evacuate the system I think plus minimal waste. FYI, it is this WhRrrrrrr WhRrrrrr kind of noise. Very disconcerting and uncomfortable to hear.

 

They run the car on fast idle to make the pump go faster and hopefully push out the air.

Edited by Genie47
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Not many professional mech in Singapore, we have many part changers and head choppers.

You can use this simple hand operated brake bleeder to get the air bubbles out in seconds. The other device is a air lifter ( normally use for cooling system but can be adapted ) that will creat negative pressure in the sytem and use the vacuum to pull in the fluid.

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Neutral Newbie
Can be a 6-week job if you DIY. laugh.gif The guys in the US do what they call the "Turkey baster" method. Take turkey baster and suck out as much PSF as possible. Top up with new PSF. Drive for 1 week, repeat. Do for 6 weeks and you will have virtually new PSF.

 

I had did this in the past, but the fluid in the system is dark in color while fresh fluid is bright clear color. Pouring in, drive one week, suck out and pour in new one. But I noticed, that little reservior doesn't hold much fresh fluid and easily get "contaminated" once mixed with old fluid ..... Probably portion of fresh:old of 1:100 !

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They are not self-bleed systems. So to prevent air bubbles, the turkey baster method is a sure win but you do have 0.0000x% of the old fluid left. The other method is to raise your car with jack stands (front only), turn on (not start engine), unplug the inlet tubing and turn the steering wheel left and right to pump the PSF out (draining from the inlet). To prevent bubbles, you continuously fill the PSF reservoir and not let it drain. A 2-man op much like the old way of bleeding brake fluid.

 

You got to hand it to those USA DIYers. Damn tokong! thumbsup.gif

 

Are Power steering system air-lock sensitive? I remember that when I had my power steering pump replaced, there isn't any issue with air-lock in the system....

 

The mechanic just 'unplug' the suction and discharge hoses of the power steering pump and hook-up a re-con pump. This will loose some power steering fluid so need to replenish the fluid in the reservoir chamber. After that just start the engine and the power steering pump will rotate (driven by belt) and can see the power steering fluid circulating (there are movement in the reservoir chamber). I don't remember the mechanic did any air-purging after this repair.

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I wouldn't say they are sensitive but it makes this awful whirring noise when air is in the system. very uncomfortable, loud and irritating. When you replenish the fluid, it means the air has been released. The pump has primed the air out.

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But seriously lah! For no mess, use turkey baster method. Cheaper, cleaner and not so kanchiong.

 

For "No Mess", method I used was very successful.

 

My PS system was leaking slightly (as I think the rubber seals were hardned), so had to keep topping up every month or so. I used my RP fully synthetic ATF (which contains alot of esters) to top up. By the time I used about 2 qts, the leak stopped. So I actually killed 2 birds with one stone. Stopped the leak & changed my PS fluid. [laugh][laugh][laugh]

 

This is a true story. [nod]

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Humm.... ATF in power steering fluid? Will that cause any bad effect? Can ATF totally replace the power steering fluid or it just act as an additive? idea.gif

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Most of the US guys in cars requiring traditional PSF swapped it out and used ATF with good results. They say the steering so much better.

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Neutral Newbie

Flushed my ATF last weekend. Surprisingly very little spill !

 

Took out the return hose, plug a clear water hose to it and cover the exposed pipe. Turn the steering (car jacked up) and keep topping up, what came out is dark brown while what goes in is clear.

Repeat till clear fluid seen/run out of new fluid.

 

Sounds easy, but the cramped engine bay gave a few more cuts on my hand, and the mouth of the reservior is soooo small, end up spilling more from topping up :-(

 

Result: The steering seems to feel a lot lighter for a start, and recovers to normal later. Better steerign feel? Dunno ... but at least I know I've new PSF in there :-) Peace of mind ...

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[reply]

My car uses Dexron ATF as PS fluid. Check your handbook for what is required for your car

 

I don't have the car's handbook/instruction manual frown.gif......anyway, I think should be same specification as yours since you're also driving a Toyota?sly.gif

 

The last time I had my power steering pump replaced the mechanic top-up the power steering fluid with Toyota brand steering fluid.nod.gif I wonder if that's equivalent to "Dexron ATF"?

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[reply]

Most of the US guys in cars requiring traditional PSF swapped it out and used ATF with good results. They say the steering so much better.

I see......so basically PSF can be replaced with ATF?

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Just to b safe, check if any bros has the handbook for your model. It sud b stated in there.

 

I don't know what is inside Toyota PSF. Maybe u cud also check with BM or your mech if yours is Dexron.

 

I don't know if there is an "equivalent" for Dexron as it is a type of ATF like diaqueen & mercon. It says in my handbook that my PSF is Dexron, so I use it.

 

I always try to stick to what the MANUFACTURER states NOT what the AGENT says. Agents either don't know or advise what they can make the most $$$ from u.

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But seriously lah! For no mess, use turkey baster method. Cheaper, cleaner and not so kanchiong.

 

For "No Mess", method I used was very successful.

 

My PS system was leaking slightly (as I think the rubber seals were hardned), so had to keep topping up every month or so. I used my RP fully synthetic ATF (which contains alot of esters) to top up. By the time I used about 2 qts, the leak stopped. So I actually killed 2 birds with one stone. Stopped the leak & changed my PS fluid. [laugh][laugh][laugh]

 

This is a true story. [nod]

 

hi bro

 

sorry to dig up this old thread

but having the same problem with the PS leaking somewhat

so need to ask u where to get 'RP fully synthetic ATF'

so i may try to rectify the prob myself

 

thanks in advance!

[;)]

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Most of the US guys in cars requiring traditional PSF swapped it out and used ATF with good results. They say the steering so much better.

 

any experience in the local setting ???

 

intend to use toyota type IV ATF as my PSF next servicing [sweatdrop][sweatdrop] ..as i still got about 3L left in the wardrobe

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