Power Steering Fluid for Q?

[96'er]

I have searched and looked at the FSM for information on what type of ATF to use in the power steering reservoir and I am having a hard time finding Dexron - II or equivalent.

What should I use to flush the PS system?

Thanks.

[maxnix]

If BG does it, they use their own synthtetic and a seal conditioner.

The PS fluid can be highly stressed, so a full synthetic is recommended, as is a seal conditoner. Many of use use M1 ATF.

[Q45tech]

If you use color destaturation as the life interval guide, you see that ATF lasts about 12,000 miles as PS fluid compared to use in transmission,where you can get 30k satisfactory life BECAUSE the ps runs hotter and 1quart vs 10 in transmission.

[96'er]

What I am looking for is a brand of ATF or PS fluid that I can pick up and the local AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts.

Thanks.

[qship96]

Get 2 quarts of Mobil 1 dex 3 ATF,and a turkey baster=suck out resivour and refill,do a few figure 8` in a parking lot,suck out and refill then do some figure 8`s again...repeat about 7-8 times till you have gone through the 2 quarts of atf...should be about 85-90% new fluid in system now-or go waste $165.00 + for a mechanic to accomplish similar results with a fancy profit making atf fluid exchange machine...your choice -first method will only cost 10-12 dollars and if repeated annually be just as effective

[Q45tech]

Any Dexron III ATF even store brand is fine as long as you change it frequently. Mobil 1 SYN ATF is great but you still have to change it when it destaturates and looses it's bright sparkling red color.............white paper towel test with eyedropper sample.

Always a good idea to pick up a small bottle of Lucas PS sealer just incase you or neighbor ever blows a rack seal it can let you drive to the shop instead of paying for a flatbed.

[Mint Q45A]

There's also a Valvoline ATF (Dex III type) intended for High Mileage transmissions (75k miles or more) - it is supposed to have some sort of seal conditioner that may be beneficial for the Power Steering...

Good to learn a simpler way of exchanging the fluid than the one I did on Thanksgiving and posted on different thread:

Preparation1. Empty the reservoir using the turkey baster 2. Disconnect the return line going to the reservoir (small hose going upwards on the side)3. Plug the hole on the pipe going into the reservoir - I used a plastic cap the fit perfectly4. Cut a piece of approx. 3 ft of garden hose5. Connect the piece of hose to the end of the return line - the one you disconnected from the reservoir. You may want to use a hose clamp so that you don't make much of a mess....6. Route the other end of the hose to an empty bottle - I used a two litter soda bottle. You may want to set it on the floor - assuming the hose reaches. This bottle will collect all the old fluid...

Now you are ready to start "exchanging" the old fluid....but you need an assitant to help you....

1. Fill the reservoir with fresh fluid (ATF Mercon III). You can fill it up to the rim. Make sure the plug on the side pipe doesn't leak...2. While closely watching the level of the fluid, have your assistant start the car, but be ready to shut it down after just a couple of seconds3. You will see how quickly the pump starts sucking in the fluid from the reservoir and spitting the old fluid into the plastic bottle. Make sure you signal your assistant to shut the car down as soon as you see the level in the reservoir is half way down....otherwise you run the risk of letting the pump catch air... 3. Repeat this process a few times until you see clean fluid coming out the other end (into the bottle)4. Have your assistant turn the wheel as far as possible to one side while the car is running. Repeat to the other side...5. Once you feel that there's no more dirty fluid coming out, start the car one more time but do not refill it. This will allow you to remove the plug on the side tube and reconnect the return line. NOTE: It may be a little challenging to disconnect the garden hose from the return line without spilling some fluid... 6. Once you connect the return line to the reservoir, you can fill it - be carefull to not overfill it - the operating level is well below the rim...

I used approximately 3qts of fluid to do the whole thing.

This might not be a true "power flush" but it did exchange the old fluid....Hope this helps...

[96'er]

Good information, exactly what I was looking for.......thanks!

[AlabamaDan]

Get 2 quarts of Mobil 1 dex 3 ATF,and a turkey baster=suck out resivour and refill,do a few figure 8` in a parking lot,suck out and refill then do some figure 8`s again...repeat about 7-8 times till you have gone through the 2 quarts of atf...should be about 85-90% new fluid in system now-or go waste $165.00 + for a mechanic to accomplish similar results with a fancy profit making atf fluid exchange machine...your choice -first method will only cost 10-12 dollars and if repeated annually be just as effective

Sounds like a great tread. I'll agree it's not 100%, but bang for the buck it's probably just as good if you do this annually. For the price it could be done annually.