How to flush power steering fluid

[greemero]

I've just found out that my PS reservoir is leaking at the seam, so I need to replace it. While I'm at it, I figured I would flush the system too because I'm afraid I might have mixed fluid types at one of the top offs (Don't know for sure, because I don't know exactly what was in there before).

So, never having flushed a power steering system before, how is it done? is there a drain somewhere? Also, how much fluid will I need to buy? I'm planning on getting the CHF-11s, and I just want to prepare my wallet.

thanks for the information.

[PaperToast]

the easiest way to get the fluid out is to use a turkey injector or a hand lotion pump. suck the old stuff out, top it off, go for a quick drive with lots of turns, repeat about 3-4 times and you should be good. of course do this after you replace the reservoir.;)

the amount of fluid you should need is around 2-2.5 quarts. that way youll have a little extra to keep in the trunk.

i know in the 98's you can put dex III atf in the PS but im not sure about the 01's and up. you might be able to save a few bucks if someone else chimes in about this that you can put a different fluid in the PS.

[uscgc70]

I run ATF in my PS system, have been for over a year now with no problems.

[howardc64]

I've just found out that my PS reservoir is leaking at the seam, so I need to replace it. While I'm at it, I figured I would flush the system too because I'm afraid I might have mixed fluid types at one of the top offs (Don't know for sure, because I don't know exactly what was in there before).

So, never having flushed a power steering system before, how is it done? is there a drain somewhere? Also, how much fluid will I need to buy? I'm planning on getting the CHF-11s, and I just want to prepare my wallet.

thanks for the information.

Pull the small line that goes into the reservoir. This is the return line from the rack. Buy a clear plastic line to fit around it and run it into a container (> 1 qt). Start the car, it will all pump out quickly... capacity is 1 qt.

Now pour CHF-11S in the reservoir, close the cap. Now bleed the air out of the system. Start car, turn wheel left and right all the way. Stopping at each steering stop for 10 seconds. Do this 10x on each side. Move the car a foot and do it again (to avoid wearing the same spot on the tire). Then do it again...

After this, top off the reservoir and you are done! You can read the end of the steering rack replacement direction in the resource page. It explains how to fill and bleed air from the steering rack.

I got my CHF-11S at fcpgroton for $20 a quart. Dealers puts this in on 01+ P2s.

[scolazz]

Whats wrong with standard PS fluid?

[BillAileo]

The power steering componets in these cars were built to use a particular hydraulic fluid Pentosin CHF-11S. Unforunately for several model years (such as for my '03) the owners manuals instead specified "ATF". At some point later manuals stated the CHF-11S standard. I have been told but do not know for certain that use of ATF increases the risk of leaking seals.

[howardc64]

Whats wrong with standard PS fluid?

Call Volvo dealer service department and ask what they use. It will be CHF-11S for 01+ P2 cars. Then ask them why your 01-04 manual says ATF. Not sure what their answer will be.

[scolazz]

wonderful, I just put half a bottle of regular old PS fluid in there. Is that going to cause any problems?

Why the hell can't volvo just use regular fluids, why all the whacko crap instead?

[howardc64]

wonderful, I just put half a bottle of regular old PS fluid in there. Is that going to cause any problems?

Why the hell can't volvo just use regular fluids, why all the whacko crap instead?

I had a leaky rack after 20k miles of mixing ATF with the original CHF-11S. My car was also 90+k miles so maybe hard to definitively prove it was fluid mixing.

I don't know anyone can give you a conclusive answer besides doing a study on the what happen to the rack + pump seals with ATF in there. I read somewhere the seals are different materials for these 2 different fluids. Most European cars switched to CHF-11S in the last 10 years.

CHF-11S is a synthetic hydraulic fluid.

Flush it out if you are not comfortable. If your PS fluid was low, then you've got a leak in that sealed system. Find where that is before it gets worse. These are the possible leak locations (bottom of reservoir, PS pump shaft, fluid in/outlet, steering rack fluid in/outlet, and seals inside the inner tie rod boot)

fcpgroton is $20/qt. Here is a link to $16.50/qt

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Chemicals/Steering%20and%20hydraulic%20fluids/Pentosin

[Jeremy]

Why the hell can't volvo just use regular fluids, why all the whacko crap instead?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[scolazz]

*sigh*

This POS has 126k on it now, I'm not going to worry about a PS fluid level. It's been leaking slowly for a while now, I'll just keep topping it off for now. Have to get the tranny looked at, an intake leak found and fixed, the shimmy/shake fixed, and the radio replaced first.


(what are the chances of the XC making it to 325K?)

A 2001? About zero chance of that happening.

[Willy]

wonderful, I just put half a bottle of regular old PS fluid in there. Is that going to cause any problems?

Why the hell can't volvo just use regular fluids, why all the whacko crap instead?
The fluid Volvo uses is by no means crap, please remember that these cars are designed for use in cold climates.
CHF-11S is a synthetic hydraulic fluid designed to work until -40°C.
It is common sense to check what fluids are to be used before adding or replacing any fluid!
Not doing so will lead to avoidable mistakes and the manufacturer can hardly be blamed for that.
Willy

[howardc64]

the shimmy/shake fixed
A 2001? About zero chance of that happening.

This symptom + adding PS fluid likely means your steering rack seals might be the problem.

Take a peek at your tie rod boots and see if they are wet at the bottom. Passenger side usually show sign first because the leaky seal is closer to the boot. This is what mine looked like before rack replacement.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f258/howardc64/DSCF1580.jpg

The reason for the shimmy/shake is because the leaky fluid ruins the inner tie rod and you get lots of play. This is what happened to me.

[scolazz]

This symptom + adding PS fluid likely means your steering rack seals might be the problem.

Take a peek at your tie rod boots and see if they are wet at the bottom. Passenger side usually show sign first because the leaky seal is closer to the boot. This is what mine looked like before rack replacement.

(pic snipped)

The reason for the shimmy/shake is because the leaky fluid ruins the inner tie rod and you get lots of play. This is what happened to me.

Very interesting, thanks for the pic. I'll take a peek at that should it be warm enough this weekend.

Just curious, how much $$ to replace the steering rack?

[howardc64]

Just curious, how much $$ to replace the steering rack?

One of the most reputable Seattle area Volvo independent quoted me $1800. This indy wouldn't use a none Volvo rack. He said too many repairs came back with problems. Volvo doesn't make a rack that "perfectly" fit my car anymore and require adaptation pipes. Volvo rack was quote to be around $1000 by my Indy. Add the pipes, labor, and 9% WA tax... $1800!

I Got a none Volvo rebuilt rack for $325 and did it myself :) No problems so far.

BTW, this Indy also wouldn't touch any problems regarding 01 transmissions. Their reason was... Volvo doesn't guarantee the transmission. So if the car came back with more issues... they can end up eating the cost and/or customer is unhappy.

Make sense for a reputable Volvo indy to not play with fire.

[genonervo]

Walmart has Prestone European synthetic power steering fluid, "suitable for use where CHF 7.1, 202 or 11S fluids are recommended". currently $4.18 for a 12 ounce bottle. I have learned that the XC70 2003 was filled with the green chf11s fluid at the factory, but the manual, both on the back cover and within states ATF. The fill cap states "only use approved fluid". When my girlfriend was complaining of steering related noises I checked the fluid, it was low. The color was yellowish brown, but there was definitely some red hue, so I'm quite certain ATF was mixed into the CHF which manufacturers say not to do.

Has anybody had any luck in convincing Volvo to do a free full flush for them or to repair the pump or steering rack since their manual provides this incorrect information?
I will be contacting Volvo after the weekend and see what they have to say.

If Volvo won't help, my plan is do a complete flush by emptying the reservoir and filling it with CHF then removing the return line, plugging the return hole and pumping out the old while running the car; and turning the wheels stop to stop while making sure the reservoir doesn't run dry. Thanks for any help or advice.