HELP; My Power Steering Fluid in my Aveo is White

[Aminor7]

... I took my 2007 Chevy Aveo to get an oil change today and it was discovered that my power steering fluid is a creamy white. Alarmed, I took it to a trusted mechanic here in town (Joe's Garage, Eugene, OR) and they were just as confused as I was since the fluid is suppose to be blue or red. They flushed and replaced it, but it is still rather white looking, not as bad as earlier, but still not looking correct.. I am concerned. Anyone know what the heck is going on with this? and after getting it replaced, why isn't it its normal power steering fluid self?

Thanks for any advice or response,
Aminor7

[gmtech1]

Your Aveo uses Dexron VI trans fluid for power steering fluid. Any chance something was added to the power steering resivoir? Is it possible the water somehow got into it? That would turn it white.

[Aminor7]

Yes, hi thanks for your reply. that is what Joe's garage suggested that water/moisture got in there, but after flushing it, shouldn't it be back to normal? can you tell me is there any long term damage? Now I am thinking that my idiot friend about a month ago who was washing my car, told me he had added "some water" to my windshield wiper fluid, instead put it in the wrong place,, .. anyway, it has been running fine, but now quite concerned about why it's not back to it normal color after flushing it..

[gmtech1]

Sounds like your friend may have inadvertantly caused this issue. I would flush it till its all the nice red color that Dex 6 is. Its possible that some damage was caused to the pump and gear, never good to run water through those. All you can do at this point is flush it till its clean and hope for the best.

[Aminor7]

hmmmm great.. well I guess I am not thoroughly understanding why it takes more than one flush with replacement fluid to get back to normal,,, it still drives normally and I haven't heard or felt anything out of the ordinary and that "car washing"happened well over a month ago.. wouldn't something real bad have happened by now? Thanks for your input!

[gmtech1]

Depending on the amount of fluid that was flushed through the first time, it may take more. Also the fluid coats everything its touched, attatches to it, so if its a little gummy do to the water, it will take some effort to remove it. May or may not have damaged seal, or pitted componants, leaks or other problems may take a while to present themselves. Like I said, flush is till its clean, then drive it. Maybe it will be ok!

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Aminor7

hmmmm great.. well I guess I am not thoroughly understanding why it takes more than one flush with replacement fluid to get back to normal,,, it still drives normally and I haven't heard or felt anything out of the ordinary and that "car washing"happened well over a month ago.. wouldn't something real bad have happened by now? Thanks for your input!

this is because oil floats. the water is in the steering box the lowest point. to get the water out you will need to remove the box and flush out. also the lines at this time. then you should be good.

at some point if not done the box gears will rust/wear and the steering will get sloppy.

[mrmikey]

It does sound like water but it could be air. If the suction side of the pump has a loose fitting or if the fluid is low it'll become aeriated, (the air will make small bubbles and turn white)
Take some of the white fluid out (using a turkey baster for example) and put it in a clear bottle and don't move it for a day or so. If there's water it'll settle to the bottom of the bottle.
You'd have to be ....ahhhhh....pretty dense to add water to a ps resevoir considering the ww resevoir is usually blue and a far sight easier to get to compared to the ps resevoir....Mike