field report - ps flush 2000 3.8

so yesterday, with the help of my 3 kids, I did a flush and fill of the power steering fluid on my 2000 3.8. It has 127,000 km. The ps had never been flushed.

Hearing that the reservoir had a screen filter I wanted to clean it up, in addition to doing the flush.

1. I pulled the wire connector to the fuel pump kill switch in the R rear jack compartment to make sure the van wouldn't start when cranking.
2. I removed the smaller, return line on the reservoir and added a 3/8" hose coupler and about 3 feet of clear hose which was then placed in a collection container.
3. I removed the larger ps hose from the reservoir and used a rubber stopper to keep fluid from running out from the hose.
4. I removed the reservoir which involved undoing a 8 mm bolt beneath the reservoir. Once off I drained it out, then washed with a bucket of warm soapy water. I used a small, soft bristle brush to clean the screen and inside. Then fully dried the reservoir.
5. I reinstalled the reservoir, reattached the larger power steering line and capped the return (smaller) line hole in the reservoir.
6. I filled the reservoir with new "type F" ford power steering fluid.
7. I had my daughter crank the engine over for 3 or 4 seconds, carefully adding new fluid to the reservoir as the old was pumped out. It took about 1.5 quarts of new to flush the old. We moved the wheel L and R a few times. After it was flushed, I reconnected the smaller return line to the reservoir. I then reconnected the fuel pump kill switch and started the van. I turned the wheel, lock to lock and added a little bit more fluid. Took it for a drive, confirmed the fluid was at the full mark and had a beer. My kids got (root) beer.

The neat thing is, now when you look into the reservoir when the van is running you can actually see the ps fluid refilling and moving, not the dark cesspool that it was pre-flush. It's a lot quieter to drive, altho it wasn't particularily noisy before.

The old fluid was black. The screen inside the reservoir was about 80% plugged with crap.

So, $12.00 for fluid and about 1/2 hour of work.

FWIW, my :2cents:

Piper

Glad to hear you flushed it, most people dont touch the PS until it fails. I worked on mostly imports and flushing brake and PS fluid is in the reg mant of the car. Most were around 30k or every 1 to 2yrs. I have to do mine soon ...

"1. I pulled the wire connector to the fuel pump kill switch in the R rear jack compartment to make sure the van wouldn't start when cranking."

Where this wire located under hood?

It is one fuse or relay?

Thanks.

"1. I pulled the wire connector to the fuel pump kill switch in the R rear jack compartment to make sure the van wouldn't start when cranking."

Where this wire located under hood?

It is one fuse or relay?

Thanks.

I believe its in the rear by the jack like he said. Its a safety feature so if the van is wrecked and fuel is pumping out all over the place the fuse can be pulled to shut off the pump. Most fuel injected vehicle have this feature.

yes, the fuel pump kill switch is in the passenger rear jack compartment. On the 2000 you have to pull the insulation a bit and you'll see a plastic breaker which has a trip button on the top. This button trips of course in the event of an accident. On the bottom of the breaker there is a electrical connector which is easily pulled out and voila, no fuel pump. Now of course I could pull the fuel pump relay which is under the hood in the fuse block but my fuse block lid is cracked because of inferior design and too much ummf the last time I opened it so I've got it taped shut.

So the kill breaker works fine. It should be discussed in the owners manual.

Piper