s14 powersteering is BLACK

[i4jdm]

would i be right to assume that my power steering fluid needs to be flushed when i open the cap and it looks black like tar and smells a bit burnt.......i hear sqeeking when i turn my wheels all the way to one side or the other....and whats this i hear, nissans use atf fluid not normal power steering fluid...any info is greatly appericated

[fun240]

Always use Automatic transmission fluid in your power steering.

If the stuff is black, that's probably NOT good.

Get it cleaned out!

[i4jdm]

ouch that hurts to know....i think there was powersteering fluid in there

[1SICKMJ]

You can use power steering or ATF, it doesnt matter its a hydraulic system.

Definitely clean it. Either go to a place and have it flushed or just drain the whole system and re fill it. Then disconnect the coil and crank the engine and turn the wheels lock to lock. That way if their is air in the system it wont air rate the the fluid and make it all foamy.

[maryjane]

flush it and run atf. squeaking might be your belt

[dbrass240]

no, dont use power steering fluid - only ATF!!!

[n240sxfnatic]

no, dont use power steering fluid - only ATF!!!

Yea because a fluid designed for power steering is bad right. STFU I have ALWAYS run power steering fluid with no problems.

[greencar]

Yea because a fluid designed for power steering is bad right. STFU I have ALWAYS run power steering fluid with no problems.

FSM Specifically states Dexron II ATF.

[n240sxfnatic]

FSM Specifically states Dexron II ATF.

show me or it didnt happen

[VMP]

It actually says "Dextron II or equivalent." Which usually, in Nissan language, means use Dextron II. Not regular power steering fluid. I guess you can use it if it's all you have. However i would rely on the manual, assuming Nissan is smarter than the average 240sx owner, that is.

Also when you flush it out... there are many ways you can do it... I like the suck and pour method the best (less clean-up). Basically, you take a vacuum pump (hand-held preferably) and suck out the the nasty black fluid that's in the reservoir. Add clean ATF to the full mark, put the cap back on, start up the car, and turn the wheel a few times all the way left and all the way right at a steady rate. Then just repeat doing that until the ATF in the reservoir is completely clear. (Possibly takes about 3-5 times with about a couple quarts used).

Or if you're lazy, Sears can do it. But i think it's may be expensive. I haven't looked it up in awhile.

GL!

Tell me how it turns out for you.

*edit*

Also, a thing to remember, once you've completely cleaned it out and are running the dextron... you may start to notice a leak in the power steering lines. 9 times out of 10 there might be tiny holes in the system that the black fluid is plugging up. And once you get rid of it and change it out for the good new dextron, the detergents in the dextron will clean the lines and whatnot and will eventually clean up all the gunk that was built up, and could cause a leak.

This may not always happen. However, 9 times out of 10. I'm just sayin.

Still, gl!
Modified by VMP at 7:47 PM 8/7/2009