I was inspired to flush my pump after reading this post. Besides, I had a filter just waiting to be used. It turned out to be a slight comedy of errors. Luckily I had a beautiful assistant to grudgingly help me.

My comments to the experience I had with my SD are this:

1. You don't have to move the washer fluid tank for the SD (one would figure that out for themselves when they go to try it, so nothing big here)

2. Disconnect the hose at the upper end, on the pump side and stick the hose in a milk jug. I know it was the return line, so why I disconnected it at the bottom and let a pool of fluid spill collect on the floor, I don't know...

3. Make sure you didn't leave you door open all night and drain the battery.

4. Push the car out of the garage and next to your beautiful assistants car and attempt to jump start it.

5. Remember that the hose is disconnected and the pump is running after disconnecting jumper cables. Sprint back in garage to get flushing oil and pour in pump as quick as possible.

6. Think, "damn, this stuff does go quick!" and start pouring quart number too.

* Important note:, next time (which will be soon) use a gallon to flush. At least for me, this went so fast beautiful assistant could only turn the wheel to one lock. Also, this crap was nasty red. I'm wondering if previous mechanics used tranny fluid the last time this was done, or if it was original...

7. Have assistant turn off car to relieve her of her duty. Replace filter and put return hose back on and then realize battery did not charge back up in the minute or two it was on.

8. Get assistant back to help jump car. Once started, pour whatever power steering fluid you want back in to the pump. Have Beautiful, but not to happy assistant, turn lock to lock to pump it through.

9. This time, tell beautiful assistant she is done for good. Go for a drive, check fluid and think "Dammit! My fancy new synthetic fluid is all red and nasty again." ie. see important note above.

10. Do it again sometime soon, cause you didn't do it right the first time. Even if it is better than it was.

Just for another bit of info, it only seemed to take about a half quart to fill the pump back up. The flush (two quarts) and old fluid filled up about 2/3 of a gallon milk jug, which worked quite well by the way.

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B
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1983 300SD