Hello everyone. New on here but have been browsing the forum since I picked up my 1995 FZJ80 about 5 years ago. More so in the last year or so, as it seems like it has just been one thing after the next with this thing. I don't know much about this stuff but whenever my mechanic tells me something needs fixing I at least try to learn as much as I can about it. Most recently it has been my power steering giving me troubles. I had the pump replaced at my old mechanic about a year ago. No troubles until this Jan. when my current mechanic had to replace a return hose that was leaking. He said it was just old and dry-rotted. It ran fine until a few weeks ago when it started leaking again. They replaced all of my hoses this time (no charge for return hoses). It still leaked after this, so obviously not being able to pinpoint the actual leak they replaced the pump (at no charge) and also the reservoir cap (also no charge) because there was a tiny bit of fluid coming from the cap. This time it worked ok, but there was still a small amount of fluid leaking from the cap and the system wasn't loud but it was making a tiny bit of noise. I took it back to them and they said it was because it was over filled, so they sucked a little fluid out and said I'd be good to go. When they did this I noticed that the fluid was not red in color so I asked if they were using ATF. They said no, that they were using PSF. I then let them know that this system specifically calls for ATF and that everything I have read everywhere says that PSF can mess up the system. I asked them to do a complete flush and replace with ATF and also to check the reservoir screen to make sure it wasn't dirty as I have read that can cause it to back up and leak from the cap as well as make noise. They agreed to do this. They called me yesterday evening and said that the res screen was clean, but that the system was making way more noise now with ATF in there. We agreed that it had to be because of air in the system somehow, so they drove it home and back saying that driving it will get the air out. I don't know if I agree with this. I am a little concerned that having PSF in there for a week could have caused a problem but I don't know. They called back today and said it was good to go after driving it for a bit, and I could come get it. They said it is now making a little bit of noise but that it isn't bad and that it has gotten considerably better since driving it. I am about to go pick it up and see for myself, but I'm a little skeptical. Actually driving it to the beach tomorrow morning so that will be a good test I guess, and this mechanic does have a 2 year warranty on all parts and labor so that does make me feel a little better, but just thought I'd come on here and ask if anyone has any ideas on what's up here? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks, and sorry for writing a novel for my first post.
Power Steering Issues
- Thread starter ZekeFZJ80
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PSF is perfectly fine. It does take a bit of time to work all of the air out - even when bleeding the system pretty well. Whatever residual issue you may or may not have at this point, it won't be the result of using power steering fluid.
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If it was just generic/old school power steering fluid, it will work just fine, in fact may perform better than ATF. It's just about impossible to flush all of the fluid out, so now have a mix. Realistically, nether will cause damage, so no worries. It sometimes takes several drive cycles to get all of the air out.
Dave 2000
Not all Land Rovers are useless!
If you look in the reservoir while the engine is running, and have someone turn the steering slowly 'lock to lock', if you can see bubbles then air is getting in, it could literally be another turn on a nut to seal it? if the air continues to get in after a couple of runs then there may be a problem?
PSF or ATF, neither are a problem, PSF apparently has a small amount of a chemical that keeps the seals supple, as your system is new I am not advocating this, but I use a small amount of brake fluid to stop pump and box leaks, tends to get you out of trouble for awhile.
Oh, and welcome
regards
Dave
PSF or ATF, neither are a problem, PSF apparently has a small amount of a chemical that keeps the seals supple, as your system is new I am not advocating this, but I use a small amount of brake fluid to stop pump and box leaks, tends to get you out of trouble for awhile.
Oh, and welcome
regards
Dave
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the info guys. I am about to go pick it up. Like I said, driving to beach tomorrow so hopefully any small amount of noise or air in system now will work itself out as I drive down there and back.
I am actually surprised you guys are saying that PSF would have been fine if left in there, (and maybe I just should have done so) as I have been reading on this forum as well as other places on the World Wide Web that PSF can cause problems and that ATF is the way to go. Also the manual, and the original cap both say Dexron ATF should be used. That was why I made them swap it out, but oh well. I guess if you can't go wrong with either one, I'm good either way. Interesting though.
I am actually surprised you guys are saying that PSF would have been fine if left in there, (and maybe I just should have done so) as I have been reading on this forum as well as other places on the World Wide Web that PSF can cause problems and that ATF is the way to go. Also the manual, and the original cap both say Dexron ATF should be used. That was why I made them swap it out, but oh well. I guess if you can't go wrong with either one, I'm good either way. Interesting though.
- Thread starter
- #6
Update: Just picked it up and drove around for a bit. Seems like it's working fine now. No noises, and no leaking from the res cap now. All they did was swap from PSF to ATF. Who knows.
