Milky power steering fluid question.

[flyboy56]

Ok, the guy I bought my cruiser from said it had a gm power steering conversion on it.

I got to going through the fluids on it and the fluid in the resevoir was milky looking, so i figured this to be water. I have let 3 quarts run through this thing now, and still no differance, just as milky as it was before. The new fluid i used was valvoline synthetic which is clear.

What is going on here? Its not normal to be milky is it?

 

[camcruiser13]

WTF







is it air bubbles causing it to look whitish?

 

[Poser]

Let it sit for a couple hours and look at it again....

 

[Pin_Head]

If the level is low after letting it sit, add more fluid while it is running until the bubbles to away. Turning the wheel side to side helps get the bubbles out.

 

[flyboy56]

I don't think it is bubbles at all. I have let it sit for days and it still looks the same.

I have done the side to side thing, level is good.

 

[camcruiser13]

how new are you lines?

 

[flyboy56]

how new are you lines?

I don't know. It was a PO thing. I haven't given them the once over.

What are you thinking?

 

[camcruiser13]

I don't know. It was a PO thing. I haven't given them the once over.

What are you thinking?

not sure but something is causing it to change color like that. is there some sort of solvent that was in there?

 

[flyboy56]

I don't know. I took the line loose let it drain, poured a qt. through till it ran mostly clear. Tightened it back up filled it up, started it cycled wheels l to r and added some. Was milky again, so i loosened the line but didn't take it off laid a rag over it, started it again and poured 2qt through it will it ran. Tightened it again and fill it up. ran it for a while and milky again. Still milky days later after i came back from vacation.

 

[camcruiser13]

well, if its not over heating or causing any probs i guess just let it be

 

[hystrymakr]

You'll find that if you let it go milky too long it will start to be squeeky because it sounds as if you have a bad pump and their is metal shavings in it. the metal shavings will sit in there and not wash out. But this is just an idea. I had the same problem with my mustang different vehicle but same concept.

 

[RVBtruck]

If there is a mix of ATF (tranny fluid) and any power steering fluid together they'll turn milky. Doesn't take much ATF to do it. Last time I had to get rid of the "milky fluid" it was a bitch. I actually changed to ATF, only cuz it was cheaper, but took the return line off, put it in a bucket, and added ATF until turned to clear ATF. Been using ATF in all my stuff for years.

Not sure, but if you have air in the system it will look milky too.

For what ever it's worth.

 

[timbercruiser]

Is it too hot? I have a similar setup, and it gets pretty warm, which discolors the fluid. I will add a cooler this winter.

 

[flyboy56]

Is it too hot? I have a similar setup, and it gets pretty warm, which discolors the fluid. I will add a cooler this winter.

I don't know, I may have to do some experimenting and get back.