Power Steering Fluid needs to be changed

[dizzle1]

I saw that my PSF was dark and dirty like a due oil change, so I siphoned it out from the reservoir just once using a clear hose with a spin pump attached to drill air gun and got it out of the reservoir in less than 30 seconds and into a container but thats all I got. And I think this is the only way to get it out, like its new in flushing the old out. So I need to do that some more start that car steer it a bit.


This is what I saw in the owners manual for the PSF

(GM Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,

1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).

What fluid do you guys use or recommend im at 100k first time doing it. How often do you change the PSF.

2000 Intrigue GX

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by dizzle1

I saw that my PSF was dark and dirty like a due oil change, so I siphoned it out from the reservoir just once with a clear hose and a air/power drill spin pump of the reservoir in less than 30 seconds and into a container but thats all I got. And I think this is the only way to get it out, like its new in flushing the old out. So I need to do that some more start that car steer it a bit.

I saw in the owners manual this is what it says

(GM Part No. 1052884 - 1 pint,

1050017 - 1 quart, or equivalent).

What fluid do you guys use or recommend im at 100k first time doing it. How often do you change the PSF.

2000 Intrigue GX

I use a Prestone power steering fluid, which I got at Wal-mart. I changed the reservoir every year for 2 or 3 years. Just check it a couple of days ago and it looked fine. Probably a good idea to change it on a new car at the 3rd year and then every 3rd year after that.

[harmankardon35]

you can use dexron ATF as well...ive used it for years with no issue. Actually it made the pump quieter than with the cheap no name PS fluid. Name brand PS fluid is probably the best bet (like prestone as jimmy mentioned)

[dizzle1]

Im using Prestone power steering fluid it says helps stops leak also and squeal, didn't know Dexron 3 ATF would work I thought about that most imports use ATF

[Tobey]

I use Prestone as well. Works fine. They say you should change it every 50,000-75,000 miles or 3 years.

[tmartin000]

Would sucking it out of the resivoir be enough to say you changed it? Or, do you then add new fluid and drive car a while and come back and do it again?

[harmankardon35]

do it twice...that way you know about 60% has been changed. good for the PS pump to have new oil instead of that old burnt fluid

[Jimmy Olsen]

I would change the PS reservoir fluid once a year for a couple of years in a row, then skip a few years, and repeat. I use a suction gun I bought at Sears 25 years ago.

[dizzle1]

I did it 3 times so far its looking cleaner but im going to suck it out the resivior again in a week

[sparcx]

Originally Posted by dizzle1

I did it 3 times so far its looking cleaner but im going to suck it out the resivior again in a week

i know this is a slightly old post but still relevant, so thanks for the heads up about the fluid change as I'm also around 100k miles now. Turkey baster/battery filler method from the reservoir is definitely the way to go.

The first time i sucked the fluid out, i noticed there was a bunch of particulates in the fluid and some burned crud around the cap. Even after the first change, i notice that the steering doesn't feel quite so hard.

I'll probably do 2 or three more changes to see if i can get it a bit more cleaner. From what i've read, the blackness is mostly just metal particles and not burnt fluid. i.e. the fluid will turn dark again after some months. Either way this round of changes should last a long while.

[Jegman]

Sparcx,

Thanks for the 'bump'. I stopped trying to read all of the older posts, but this one just reminded me that I wanted to try something like this.....

Again, thanks.

[krivasauto]

Come see how I got from this:





to this:





at http://99intrigue.shutterfly.com/steering

By the way, I would suggest flushing it, which involves disconnecting the return line, capping or plugging the reservoir where it went, then having someone steer the wheel back and forth while you keep the fluid level up in the reservoir with it running. Get some 1/2" clear hose from the hardware store and a pipe to adapt it to the return hose. Make sure you have a couple quart container to drain. I would buy about four quarts of fluid, though the system actually holds a little less than a quart. Make sure afterward you bleed it.