Power steering fluid flush

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:51 pm

How do I go about draining and refilling the fluid? I think somebody may have put PS fluid in with atf, so I need to get it all out. The fsm shows removal and installation, but nothing about just flushing the fluid out of the system.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:12 am

I use a siphon pump suck the reservoir dry. The 1/2 pint or so in the pump and lines isnt really important but I guess you could open up the pressure line to get the rest out.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:22 am

I just figured if the fluid is contaminated I should get as much out as possible. I have a 1 man brake bleeder, so I think if I connect it to the pump outlet line I can suck out all the trapped fluid in the lines and cooler.

The reservoir isn't a big concern since I can just unbolt the pump and turn it upside down to drain that fluid.

I still need to remove each belt to make sure it's the PS and not the alternator, but I think I've pinpointed it right.

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:29 am

it would be a PITA, but you could lift the car and disconnect the line at the pump itself (on both sides of the pump) and drain it out.... but like I said... it would be a PITA.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:21 am

What makes that a PITA, seems pretty simple unless disconnecting the lines is that difficult. Now that you mention it, disconnecting both lines would make it easier to drain.

Is it a problem if I get air in the lines or the pump? I know it can be a hassle with the master cylinder on brakes, hopefully it's not that way with the PS pump.

mastershake · Post by **mastershake** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:46 am

hansken_yo wrote:it would be a PITA, but you could lift the car and disconnect the line at the pump itself (on both sides of the pump) and drain it out.... but like I said... it would be a PITA.

I've had this done at the ole' "jiffy lube" type place a few years back. It was $65.00ish if i remember. I don't think it's that hard, but it sure seemed like a mess. I watched them do it, and was glad i wasn't the one doing it! lol

hansken_yo · Post by **hansken_yo** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:25 am

Donkeypuncher wrote:What makes that a PITA, seems pretty simple unless disconnecting the lines is that difficult. Now that you mention it, disconnecting both lines would make it easier to drain.

Is it a problem if I get air in the lines or the pump? I know it can be a hassle with the master cylinder on brakes, hopefully it's not that way with the PS pump.

Its just a tight area and the lines are difficult to undo (as they should be). any air in the line/pump will move its way to the reservoir (you'll just have to check the level) and you'll want to do this by moving the wheels from side to side with the car not running (you'll need the key in the "on" selection so that you can keep the steering wheel unlocked). pretty much when the level in the reservoir stops changing you've got all the air out

Post by **racer12306** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:52 pm

I sucked out the fluid in the reservoir, started the car to fill the reservoir and then sucked that out, refilled, started, refilled. Repeat a few times.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:50 pm

I guess I'll just try that method first, seems easy enough. And I should definitely be using ATF in there, right? Just want to double check, I thought 02 was the first year they started using atf.

Post by **occasional demons** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 8:16 pm

Your owner's manual might state what goes in there. I know '01 uses PS fluid. But I'm not sure if it was '02 or '03 they switched back.

I ran into this back when I bought my '84 Omni. It looked like someone puked chunks in the PS resivior.

The service guy at the freindly dealer said to drain as much out via the retun hose, while idleing. Then use mineral spirits to flush, and drain the same way. Fill with the proper fluid, run/ drain/ refill. It worked with no ill effects on the Omni. never had any leaks/failures from it. Just work the wheels back and forth to push it all out. This works best supported on stands.

Edit: IDK if it really matters which one you use, as long as it is all the same. The only problem is if someone else puts in the opposite than what you do.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 4:52 am

That's what I think happened, my pump is making a whining noise after my girl had the oil changed and the shop filled up the PS fluid. My fault, I should have changed the oil before I went out of town.

beachbrum · Post by **beachbrum** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 4:53 pm

How many quarts of fluid go into the PS in a 2001 NEon RT?