Tid Bits. Why change your Power Steering Fluid

[Bob Dunahugh]

Changing your power steering fluid needs to be done. To replenish additives=
. There are many additives that are in power steering fluids. Most owners =
never think of changing the PS system. Or even know about the PS filter tha=
t can be cleaned. I know that there's a thought that Automatic trans fluid =
( ATF ) can be used in the PS system. In a pinch. Yes. But will need to =
be changed ASAP. ATF lacks one very important additive. An anti foaming ag=
ent. If you had only ATF in your PS system. You'll get the pretties pink f=
oam come out of the PS pump to clean up. It's not hard to change the PS flu=
id. There's a standard hose clamp on the low pressure hose on the back of t=
he PS pump. Loosen that clamp. then pull the hose off. This will drain the =
PS pump. Then remove the PS filter. This will allow more fluid to drain ou=
t. Then put the low pressure hose back on the PS pump. And secure the hose =
clamp. Refill the pump. And start the engine. Then turn the steering wheel=
full left, then right. Then run your windshield wipers. This process WILL =
NOT change all the PS fluid. I would suggest that after you run the system.=
Change the PS fluid again. Bob Dunahugh

 

[LarryW]

Another way of doing it is to change the PS fluid every 2nd or third engine oil change. Using a turkey baster, suck as much out as you can and refill
with new fluid. Easy to do. Also, IIRC Amzoil trans fluid is PS compatible. One less fluid that you'd have to carry. JWIT
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.

 

[Bob Dunahugh]

I didn't say something clear enough in the e-mail below. I said that ATF la=
cked anti foaming agent. I should have said lacked enough anti foaming agen=
t. ATF does have anti foaming agents. Thanks Emery for pointing out how I s=
aid that. Bob Dunahugh ________________________________ From: B=
ob Dunahugh Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2018 8:2=
4 PM To: gmclist Subject: Tid Bits. Why change your Pow=
er Steering Fluid Changing your power steering fluid needs to be do=
ne. To replenish additives. There are many additives that are in power stee=
ring fluids. Most owners never think of changing the PS system. Or even kn=
ow about the PS filter that can be cleaned. I know that there's a thought t=
hat Automatic trans fluid ( ATF ) can be used in the PS system. In a pinc=
h. Yes. But will need to be changed ASAP. ATF lacks one very important ad=
ditive. An anti foaming agent. If you had only ATF in your PS system. You'=
ll get the pretties pink foam come out of the PS pump to clean up. It's not=
hard to change the PS fluid. There's a standard hose clamp on the low pres=
sure hose on the back of the PS pump. Loosen that clamp. then pull the hose=
off. This will drain the PS pump. Then remove the PS filter. This will al=
low more fluid to drain out. Then put the low pressure hose back on the PS =
pump. And secure the hose clamp. Refill the pump. And start the engine. Th=
en turn the steering wheel full left, then right. Then run your windshield =
wipers. This process WILL NOT change all the PS fluid. I would suggest that=
after you run the system. Change the PS fluid again. Bob Dunahugh

 

[jim kanomata1]

Bob,
Sometimes the message is more powerful than details.
I for one have been negletcting changing the fluid.
Thank you.

> I didn't say something clear enough in the e-mail below. I said that ATF
> lacked anti foaming agent. I should have said lacked enough anti foaming
> agent. ATF does have anti foaming agents. Thanks Emery for pointing out how
> I said that. Bob Dunahugh
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Bob Dunahugh
> Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2018 8:24 PM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Tid Bits. Why change your Power Steering Fluid
>
>
> Changing your power steering fluid needs to be done. To replenish
> additives. There are many additives that are in power steering fluids.
> Most owners never think of changing the PS system. Or even know about the
> PS filter that can be cleaned. I know that there's a thought that Automatic
> trans fluid ( ATF ) can be used in the PS system. In a pinch. Yes. But
> will need to be changed ASAP. ATF lacks one very important additive. An
> anti foaming agent. If you had only ATF in your PS system. You'll get the
> pretties pink foam come out of the PS pump to clean up. It's not hard to
> change the PS fluid. There's a standard hose clamp on the low pressure hose
> on the back of the PS pump. Loosen that clamp. then pull the hose off. This
> will drain the PS pump. Then remove the PS filter. This will allow more
> fluid to drain out. Then put the low pressure hose back on the PS pump. And
> secure the hose clamp. Refill the pump. And start the engine. Then turn
> the steering wheel full left, then right. Then run your windshield wipers.
> This process WILL NOT change all the PS fluid. I would suggest that after
> you run the system. Change the PS fluid again. Bob Dunahugh
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502

 

[mghamms]

> Another way of doing it is to change the PS fluid every 2nd or third engine oil change. Using a turkey baster, suck as much out as you can and
> refill with new fluid. Easy to do. Also, IIRC Amzoil trans fluid is PS compatible. One less fluid that you'd have to carry. JWIT

I also use the turkey baster method on the brake fluid every oil change.
--
1977 Kingsley 455 as stock as it gets except lots of Ragusa parts

 

[LQQKatJon]

I will have to remember this once I fix my stupid leak. As my ps system gets a new 1/2 quart every time I go to drive it. Been a problem for
years. But this new pump leaks bad. Need it to warm up to try pump #3.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/

 

[emerystora]

Most transmission fluids are compatible with power steering fluids but why would you want to use it. Much better to use power steering fluid that has been formulated to meet the conditions found in a power steering system.

DOT 1 and DOT 2 are also compatible with the newer DOT 3, DOT 4 and DOT 5.1 brake fluids but I’d never use those in my brake system. The newer fluids have much better properties.

Compatibility is one thing suitability is another.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I will have to remember this once I fix my stupid leak. As my ps system gets a new 1/2 quart every time I go to drive it. Been a problem for
> years. But this new pump leaks bad. Need it to warm up to try pump #3.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

 

[john r. lebetski]

Even if the average PS system temp is below the oil breakdown point, some molecules at high PSI circuit points in the system can exceed that temp
under high demand. It eventually turns brown as enough oxidized molecules are in the solution. It should be basically clear like the fresh stuff. I
replaced the 250K stuff in my Jeep XJ and noticed a "new car feel" was restored due to correct viscosity and additives. Of course the consensus on
the Jeep page was I was nuts, but I don't value their opinions.
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II