Want to change PS fluid

Greetings. It appears that the ps fluid in my 95 trus wagon, with the 3.8L engine (~90k miles), is sufficiently dark and smelly to need a change. I have consulted my Haynes manual, but it does not cover this specific repair. I'd like to get every last bit of the old fluid out if necessary and also would consider flushing things if I had some advise from some one who has experience with this repair on this vehicle. I'm not sure if it's really worth or necessary disconnecting the lines to the rack and if flushing is necessary. I welcome and am appreciative of your worthy advise. Thanks

Go to the hardware store and get a piece of flex tubing about four feet long and siphon dry the reservoir. Washer fluid is cheap, fill the reservior and pump fluid through the system until it comes out clean and you should be good to go. As for flushing lines, put some water in your mouth and take the lines loose and blow it through. If they're not stopped up then don't worry about flushing. Good luck.

I think you are talking about changing the power steering fluid not the windshield washer reservoir. Here's what you do to flush the ps pump.

1.Raise and support the vehicle.
2.Disconnect the ps pressure hose at the steering gear.
3.Place the end of the ps pressure hose in a suitable containier.
4.Lower the vehicle; The wheels should be above the ground.
5.Fill the ps pump reservoir with fluid.
6.Disconnect the ingition coil electrical connecton.
7.Turn the starter over while 2 quarts of fluid is poured into the ps pump reservoir.
8.Turn off the ignition once the fluid has been added
9. Raise and support the vehcle
10.Connect the ps pressure hose to the steering gear.
11.Lower the vehicle.
12.Check the reservoir and add fluid if needed.
13. Connect the ignition coil connector.
14.Start the car and cycle the steering wheel from stop-to-stop to get rid of
any air in the system.

Theres an additional procedure for flushing the steering gear.

1.Disconnect the ps steering return hose from the reservoir and place it in a
container. Plug the reservoir return tube.
2.Fill the power steering pump reservoir with fluid.
3.Disconnect the ignition coil connector.
4.Raise and suport the vehicle so the wheels are off the ground.
5.Crank the engine while pouring 2 qts. of fluid into the reservoir.
6.Turn off the ignition once the fluid has been added and reconnect the igniton coil connector.
7.Reattach the reservoir return tube.
8.Lower the vehicle
9.Check the fluid level and add if necessary.
10.Start the car and move the steering wheel back and forth to remove any air in the system.

You mentioned it wouldn't be necessary or worth it to discconnect the line at the steering rack and I agree. Just do the power steering gear procedure.
This inormaton is from a 1997 Ford Escort Factory Repair Manual. It is similar to what you would do to a 95 Taurus.

My apologies I had some of the steps misstated.

Thanks Davescort97 for the informative reply. I think I can handle the windshield washer repair on my own. But, I wanted to double check with you. I think you said and my own conclusion is that to do it all at once, ie. I just do the steering gear procedure and skip the ps pump and reservoir step because that will all be done in the gear procedure. Right? And what did you mistate? I didn't catch anything so off it was not clear. Wow, 2 qts of fluid? So, I'll probably have to throw all of what drains out. How do I know I got all of the bad stuff? Is it helpful to use a cleaning or flushing agent? Thanks

Yeah. If you do the ps gear procedure it will all be done. The fluid will go from the reservoir to the pump to the steering gear back to the reservoir return hose. All of the steps are now correct. I had to edit it. Make sure you have a big enough container to put 2 quarts in. You will know you have gotten all of the bad stuff out when the fluild back through return line runs clear. I say clear because when I did it on my Escort I used clear ps fluid. Your system may use Mercon ATF. If the cap on your ps reservoir doesn't say ps fluid only you use Mercon Automatic transmission fluid. Mercon is red. I wouldn't use a cleaning agent or flush. Replacing the fluid will do the job. All the best. Dave

Thanks for the info, Dave. I would have to go and check my car and its manual to be sure of the fluid type, but for what it's worth the Haynes manual says it's Type F. I seem to recall it looking somewhat red. Could I switch to a clear fluid? I think I put clear ps fluid in my 85 escort with no problem, but I don't recall what was originally in it. I vaguely recall somone telling me about trans and ps fluids being interchangeable to help with keeping seals, gaskets and o-rings sealed better but I didn't get which did what and in what could you do that. Maybe trans fluid in the ps pump since only the ps seems to have both types of fluid used in them? Oh well. Maybe I should try some clear wiper fluid.

If it calls for Type F ATF I wouldn't use anything else. I know I can't use ATF in my Escort because it says right on the reservoir cap to "Use Power Steering Fluid Only". Type F ATF has additives to keep seals pliable and leak free. You won't go wrong if you go by the Haynes manual.

I used the same siphon method to refurbish the PS fluid. Siphon the reservior dry then fill it and drive it a few days then siphon it and fill it and drive, . . . like that for four refills and that should pretty well replace it.

Yes, definitely go with what the manual says but in some cases things have changed. Ford now agrees you can now use Mercon V for all previous Mercon applications. It is half synthetic and stands up to heat and friction better. Somebody makes full symthetic Mercon V sotr'a expensive but it's there if you waant it.