I was pulling into my apartment last night after work when I noticed some noise from my power steering. Sounded like I had it turned all the way but it wasn't. I have had the rack and pump replaced under warranty because I was loosing fluid about 6 months ago. When I went out today I started the car and turned the wheel back and fourth a few times and it still did it, so I figured I had another leak and it was just low on fluid. When I checked the fluid it was a yellow color, and looked like it was foamy. Its not supposed to be yellow is it? I'm going to check it this morning when I get up and see what it is exactly, but I was wondering if there is a drain for the fluid, or if I have to suck out the fluid with something like a turkey baster. When I get up I will try to post a pic so you can see it. THanks
Heres what I am talking about. Don't know if its good or bad, but Isn't power steering fluid supposed to be clear?
Hmm....In my experience power steering fluid has always been red. I don't like the color of that fluid
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John Leahy
'01 Cavalier Z24 - 5Speed
MaxThrottle.Com
It looks like baby @!#$! Any ideas on how to drain it? Flush it? Get the old out and the new in? I need help!
If you are getting bubbles in the resevoir it means that you have some sort of air leak in the lines or rack somewhere, or even at the pump itself. If you still have a warranty on the parts you should just bring it back to the shop and have them properly diagnose it. As far as the color goes, power steering fluid for our cars is typically right out of the bottle a clear, water like color but looking at your fluid from the pictures, (i cant really tell exactly seeing how i cant see the fluid in person) your fluid still looks like its in pretty good shape.
As far as red power steering fluid goes, only certain types of vehicles use a red type. All fords, volvos, etc use a red fluid that is automatic transmission fluid or something similar to that. do not under any circumstances add red fluid (dexron, mercon, type F, atf types) to a clear power steering system, it is however, ok to add some clear to a red system to top it off. red fluids just dont have the lubrication capacity that our clear systems need.
Hope that helps anyone
Nick Bibeault wrote:red fluids just dont have the lubrication capacity that our clear systems need.
Hmmm. I popped the top of the power steering reservoir on my gfs 01 2.4l and it already had red colored fluid in there.
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John Leahy
'01 Cavalier Z24 - 5Speed
MaxThrottle.Com
get a turkey baster and suck all the old fluid out and re fill with a good quality P/S fluid then start the car and turn the wheel from lock to lock about ten times then suck that fluid out. then refill. repeat this until your P/S fluid is nice and clear like it should be. I have had good luck with valvoline synpower P/S fluid. and it will take a big bottle to do the job right. good luck!
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi
see ya!
I'm kinda jacking this post, I apologize. My gf's 2.4 Cavi that I was referring to having the red power steering fluid. It has a nasty random occurring growl when you turn the wheel sometimes. Other times it's fine. Could this be because the previous owner put red fluid in there? If so, how bad is the damage since they used the wrong kinda fluid?
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John Leahy
'01 Cavalier Z24 - 5Speed
MaxThrottle.Com
I will do that this weekend then. Thanks a bunch!
Power steering fluid looks ok to me, Maybe they added a conditioner to it. If there is no signs of problems Id just keeping it.
