Results 1 to 10 of 14

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murfreesboro, TN
    Posts
    34

    Default power steering leak/fluid type question

    O.k. So the 2002 V70 XC I just purchased 3 weeks ago with 106k miles just lost all of it's power steering fluid last night in a full on jettisoned mass exodus. From the less than quarter mile drive from the grocery store to my duplex, it all came dripping out and splashing on the engine causing some fairly righteous smoke and stench from the hood. I have since learned on this forum that these models have power steering problems. What I'm wondering is, at this point, does it matter what type of fluid I put in now that I probably don't have any, save for trace elements, in the line?

    Cary

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Fort Worth Texas or thereabouts
    Posts
    400

    Default

    IF you don't discover where it is leaking from then pouring in more and running car is only going to make a mess and maybe a fire.
    I don't see power steering leaks more on volvos than on other 8 year old and older cars I work on.
    Have you been able to discover where the oil leak originates? forward of engine, on passenger side end of engine, or behind engine?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murfreesboro, TN
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Well, I'm no mechanic. But my friend is and he's going to look at it tomorrow. What should he be looking for specifically on my model?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murfreesboro, TN
    Posts
    34

    Default

    I did notice that most of the mess was on the underside of the passenger side, whether it is in front of the engine or not, I don't know. I'm at work today so tomorrow is the only time I can have it looked at.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    1,927

    Default

    Bottom of PS reservoir is connected to a hose that goes to the PS pump. This is a common leak source. Do a search and you should come up with lots of info.

    PS fluid is CHF-11S (hard to find). Don't follow Volvo's manual and put ATF in. The manual is wrong.
    Past Volvos : 01 V70 T5, 01/02 V70XC, 02 V70 NA, 00 V70XC
    Current EV/Hybrid : 13 Tesla S85, 11 Gen3 Prius
    Friends cars under my care 17 Audi A4 Quattro DSG (B9) 05 Audi A4 Manual 6sp Quattro (B7) 04 e320 V6 Auto, 05 Accord 2.4, 08 Element 2.4, 08 Camry Hybrid
    Past Others : 01/03 VW MK4 Turbo/NA/01M. Gen1 Prius, Gen1 CRV, Gen2 Rav4, 02 Town&Country, 06 Corolla, 12 Audi A4 Quattro (B8), 07 Civic 1.6
    https://sites.google.com/view/howardsvolvos

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murfreesboro, TN
    Posts
    34

    Default

    Hey thanks. I have in fact discovered this searching the forum. It seemed to me though that most people reporting leaks had slow drips rather than an all out dump. I think I had a small PS fluid explosion. Do you think it could be something else, given the fact that I had such a fast rate of leakage? I'll definitely have my friend check the clamp first. I'm just wondring what other possible sources of this problem are? Resovoir cap?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    32

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by howardc64 View Post
    ...PS fluid is CHF-11S (hard to find). Don't follow Volvo's manual and put ATF in. The manual is wrong.
    The power steering fluid in my 2002 XC70 is leaking/seeping a bit and came across this old thread. Does anyone know why Volvo's specification to use ATF is wrong? If ATF is what Volvo has in their manual, wouldn't that be what they shipped in the cars when new? Why is CHF-11S so special?

    I added a small amount of ATF (Castrol Import ATF) to get into the min/max range. I can't imagine couple ounces will make a difference.
    ___________________________
    02 Volvo XC70, 177,000+ mi
    09 Honda Pilot
    74 VW Super Beetle Convertible

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •