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Flushing power steering?

Timing

Timing

New member
I took a look at my power steering fluid and it is black and is making my pump whine bad. Whats the best way to go about flushing this and how much fluid is going to be needed? I know take off the return hose to the pump and turn the steering wheel back and fourth but i havnt been in there yet so idk what it looks like and cant seem to find a write up on it.
 


The PS pump is a pump, when it whines it is because it has air going through it (foamy fluid). Generally the reason for this is low fluid but it can also be from a restriction in the return hose to the pump. What happens is the hose degrades inside and the rubber turns into black goo and collapses. The outside of the hose looks ok. This can be caused from additives like PS conditioner being added. Yes it softens the seals (I doubt it) but it also softens the inside of the hoses. The black in the fluid could be the dissolved inside of the hose. Haven't seen this specifically on a GP but have seen it on several other cars.
 


I have revived plenty of pumps by flushing the system using BG's 2 part system. A flush and fluid combo pack. If replacing the pump is not an option at the moment, you may want to try having a shop flush the P/S system.
Heres is how we do it at my shop:
Siphon fluid from the reservoir and add the cleaner. Start the engine and allow to idle while turning the wheel from stop to stop. Do not hold the steering wheel at max input, just bump it and turn it back the opposite direction. Repeat this for 4 complete cycles. Turn the steering all the way to the right and siphon out the reservoir, leaving enough fluid in it to avoid aerating the fluid. if you still have some cleaner repeat the process until its gone. When you are out of cleaner repeat the process with 2-4 quarts of new fluid. Road test and recheck the fluid level.
 
Tony Mendez said:
I have revived plenty of pumps by flushing the system using BG's 2 part system. A flush and fluid combo pack. If replacing the pump is not an option at the moment, you may want to try having a shop flush the P/S system.
Heres is how we do it at my shop:
Siphon fluid from the reservoir and add the cleaner. Start the engine and allow to idle while turning the wheel from stop to stop. Do not hold the steering wheel at max input, just bump it and turn it back the opposite direction. Repeat this for 4 complete cycles. Turn the steering all the way to the right and siphon out the reservoir, leaving enough fluid in it to keep to avoid aerating the fluid. if you still have some cleaner repeat the process until its gone. When you are out of cleaner repeat the process with 2-4 quarts of new fluid. Road test and recheck the fluid level.
Click to expand...

I did this same procedure on a Lexus when I worked at a shop. I had done numerous ones(30 of them) before flawlessly with no issues. For whatever reason it screwed up the pump and it ended up needing to be replaced. Valvoline came out to investigate the situation and came to the conclusion it was the mileage of the vehicle(had around 200K).
 
Valid example txslow6. The procedure I described and you commented on is by no means a sure thing. We offer it to our customers as an option, while being up front about the possibility the pump along with other steering system components may need to be replaced if the flush doesnt remedy their problem. 99% go the flush route. If I had to estimate on the success rate of flushing the system...I would put it at 80-85%.
 
Might wasn't whining, but I took out the old stuff and put in the Royal Purple Synthetic Power Steering Fluid and it feels better and noticed in cold weather it doesn't get stiff from sitting for long periods of time.
 


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