Adding ATF to PS Fluid Resevoir -- Is it okay to do? (1 Viewer)

[NorCalDoug]

I searched through the various Power Steering (PS) fluid related threads, but couldn't find an answer to this specific question.

Can I top off my PS resevoir with ATF? It currently has the honey-blonde Toyota PS fluid in there.

I will be flushing and replacing it eventually, but need to top it off now before the fluid exchange project.

Okay...here's what it boils down to. I want to use ATF in there, so I don't want to spend extra $$$ on PS fluid when I have a bunch of ATF in the garage. I'm asking because I'm a cheap ass

My assumption is that it would be okay...but I'm not willing to bet the life of my PS pump on one of my hair-brained assumptions...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Doug-it's fine. That what the manual calls for so add it, and be happy. Mine is running on 100% Mobil1 ATF. See you in Big Pine.

 

[RavenTai]

"ATF DEXRON® II or III" is the speced fluid for the PS system, I have heard the Toyota stuff is ATF minus the dye,

top off with ATF should be fine

now the question is why does your truck still have honey-blonde stuff in it? the factory stuff would have oxidized and would be s*** brown by now. perhapse somebody used powersteerign fluid in it?

other question is where is the leak.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Ditto. Whenever I think of it, I use an oil extracting vacuum can I use to change the boat oil to suck the PS res dry, then refill. Once every year or so, and way easier than a full flush on the PS though I did that also at around 100k.

Doug

 

[NorCalDoug]

...now the question is why does your truck still have honey-blonde stuff in it? the factory stuff would have oxidized and would be s*** brown by now...

The honey-blonde stuff is only 11k miles old.
I had problems with the PS groaning for quite a while -- mostly noticeable when off-road on butt-puckering, uphill, double-locked obstacles -- but not so much in everyday driving. But the noise did steadily increase over time.

So...just before my "Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle" extended warranty ran out with Lexus (I had 18 miles left on it ), I took her in to my local Lexus dealership and mentioned the noise coming from the PS pump and asked them to take a look at it. They decided to replace the pump all together.

When they replaced it, they filled it with Toyota PS fluid. Unfortunately, I don't think they did a good job of purging any air (air bubles) in the system. It slowly started groaning again. I didn't feel like taking it back to them for a follow up and dealing with any post-warranty paper work (although I'm pretty sure the work they did is still covered by a 12 month/12k mile warranty).

So...to make a long story just a little longer...
I put the front end on jack stands this past weekend and worked the bubbles out of the system. Now I'm a little low on fluid.

Thanks for the information! I'll top the resevoir off when I get home.

 

[concretejungle]

Doug, please post back once you think you are finished. Reason i ask is i replaced my fluid, then developed a leak, fixed the leak, put new fluid in and flushed and still have a groan. I'm thinking about trying the flush agian.

 

[cc93cruiser]

Cruiserdrew & NorCalDoug were do you guys wheel? I live in the Bay area, just south of Frisco. were is Big Pine?

 

[NorCalDoug]

Cruiserdrew & NorCalDoug were do you guys wheel? I live in the Bay area, just south of Frisco. were is Big Pine?

Sorry. Top Secret. Can't tell you...








































Send me a PM with your email address and I'll send you an invite to the NorCal 80s email forum (it's a yahoo group).

Big Pine is a little town in the middle of nowhere (no offense to any Big Pine residents ) -- it is the jumping off point for the Death Valley trip planned for this weekend.

Most trips are on trails in the Sierras -- either off I-80 or Hwy 50. But there are occasional trips in the bay area. We have a few trips planned for this summer, you're more than welcome to join us.

Doug, please post back once you think you are finished....

Will do. Once I get this thing figured out, I'll let you know what I did.

 

[Rookie2]

Pull them panties up and flush it . It's about a 20-minute job following the RT method.


Rookie2

 

[RavenTai]

ahh that makes sense now.


BTW Great Avatar.