Flush your power steering - baby its gross in there - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

phidauex · #1 11-05-2005, 09:29 PM

Flushed my power steering system today. It took all of 10 minutes, including convincing the girlfriend to sit in the car while its running and turn the wheel side to side.

I used the method in the w123 howto sticky, and it worked great. I moved the washer fluid resevoir up and to the side, and used a gallon veggie oil bottle as the catch canister. I spilled a little fluid while removing the return line hose, but not much else. The narrow mouth of the bottle kept splashing to a minimum, even though the fluid came out in great spurts.

I flushed with two quarts of STP power steering fluid, and then filled with Valvoline Synpower and a new Mann filter. We'll see if it works. I know the manual recommends ATF, but I gather that ATF of yesteryear is different than ATF of today, and that today, PS fluid should be used instead. Hope that's true.

Point is, the stuff that came out was GROSS. Black and yucky, with little chunks. Flush your PS if you haven't done it recently!

peace,
sam

Austin85 · #2 11-05-2005, 09:31 PM

Thanks. How much PS fluid did it take to fill?
oh which one is the return line? top or bottom?

Hatterasguy · #3 11-05-2005, 09:32 PM

Yep smart thing to do, but most people don't.

Today's ATF will cause your system to leak. The ATF of 2005 isn't the same ATF of 1983, so in this case ignore the manual. PS fluid is cheap, any brand will do.

turbodiesel · #4 11-17-2005, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Today's ATF will cause your system to leak. The ATF of 2005 isn't the same ATF of 1983, so in this case ignore the manual. PS fluid is cheap, any brand will do.

I don't know how true that is. If today's ATF works in our sensitive automatic transmissions, then it will do fine in a simple power steering pump application where it is just used as hydraluic fluid.

I've ALWAYS used straight ATF for power steering, never, ever had a leak. Ask plantman

bill murrow · #5 11-17-2005, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbodiesel

I don't know how true that is. If today's ATF works in our sensitive automatic transmissions, then it will do fine in a simple power steering pump application where it is just used as hydraluic fluid.

I've ALWAYS used straight ATF for power steering, never, ever had a leak. Ask plantman

I had a leaking power steering unit on a car with 190k. Ordered a rebuild kit and then started searching here to see how to install it. While doing the search I discovered many threads discussing why these units leak. Larry Bible answered many of them and time after time stated that modern ATF is the culprit. I posted a new thread and Larry said when I take the pump apart look for grooves on the shaft. If the shaft is grooved, throw the pump away. Sure enough...grooves. He says that modern ATF caused it and I certainly believe that. Modern ATF is NOT the same as it was 20 years ago. I'll take my chances with the Walmart PS fluid. Do a search and you'll see many threads downplaying the use of ATF.

If you do use ATF, good luck.

Cheers,

Bill

boneheaddoctor · #6 11-20-2005, 05:22 PM

I did my W123 today......my god does that thing move some fluid....it will dump 3 quarts in under a minute...glad a bought a gallon jug worth....got less than a pint left.

the old stuff looked like coffee.....strong coffee. The new stuff was transparent. Valvolene I believe......(powersteering Fluid)

phidauex · #7 11-20-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

I did my W123 today......my god does that thing move some fluid....it will dump 3 quarts in under a minute...glad a bought a gallon jug worth....got less than a pint left.

the old stuff looked like coffee.....strong coffee. The new stuff was transparent. Valvolene I believe......(powersteering Fluid)

Yeah, thats exactly what mine looked like! Seriously gross. No fluid that looks that bad can be doing its job... My new stuff was water clear, Valvoline Synthetic PS fluid.

And hell yeah, that pump moves FAST. Thats a reason I liked using a narrow neck bottle so that the splashing fluid coming out of the return line would stay in the bottle. If I had used a coffee can or something, I bet it would have splattered all over the engine compartment...

peace,
sam

#8 11-05-2005, 09:33 PM

Great job!

I call this the ASE Test method because this is the method involved in a common question on the ASE Suspension and Steering test.

There have been a surprising number of people here who think that what you did is too involved. They think that simply sucking out what is in the reservoir and replacing it suffices as a flush.

I would think that you learned the value of your work by seeing the nasty stuff that came out of the system.

Again, great job,

Palangi · #9 11-05-2005, 09:37 PM

Y'all realize there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir...... don't you??

phidauex · #10 11-05-2005, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palangi

Y'all realize there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir...... don't you??

Yes, and I changed it.

Filter p/n: M2000-97891
Cost: $4.36 at Fastlane

The procedure is listed in greater detail with photos in the Diesel how-to sticky, but here is the cliffnotes version:

1: Open your power steering pump lid, set the lid and wingnut aside. Gently release the lockwasher and spring, and slide them off.

2: That thing with the holes in the bottom is the filter. Leave it in for the moment.

3: Move your washer fluid tank to the side for the moment. Put a large (at least gallon) catch container in that spot.

4: Disconnect the pump return hose. One hose has a high-pressure fitting, the other has a hose clamp. The hose clamp one is the return hose. When you disconnect it, fluid will spill from the hose, and from the pump. Catch it in your can (if you can

), and direct the hose into the catch container.

5: Have at the ready three quarts of PS fluid. Two quarts of cheap stuff, and one quart of whatever boutique PS fluid you want. I used Valvoline SynPower. They make one with a 'stop leak' stuff in it if you are having leak problems (though the stop leak things rarely stop anything but the tiniest leaks).

6: Have your beautiful assistant fire up the car, and begin turning the steering wheel lock to lock. They don't need to turn it fast, or slow, just a modest speed. As they do this, pour a quart of cheap fluid into the pump slowly, as it gets sucked through, pour in more. Then pour your other quart through. The fluid will move through FAST, so don't worry. It will also spray with some force into your catch container. I used a narrow mouth bottle to limit splashing. By the end of the second quart, your fluid should be coming out clear.

7: Have your beautiful assistant stop turning the wheel, and shut off the engine. Fish the filter out of the pump, and slide a new one in.

9: Reconnect the return hose to the pump. I used a shiny new hose clamp, since I don't trust super-old clamps.

8: Reinstall the spring and lockwasher. Pour some of your 'boutique' fluid into the pump, and let it bubble down. Add some more and bring it up to within about 1/2" of the lip of the reservoir. Fire the car back up, and have your assistant go lock to lock a few more times. This will bubble and foam as the fluid goes into the system. The level will go down, so top it back up again. Have your assistant turn a few more times, and top up again if necessary. When it stops bubbling, your system is bled. Top up one last time if necessary, and put the lid back on, and tighten the wingnut.

I ended up adding most (but not all) of a quart to the system. I don't know the exact capacity.

9: Return the washer reservoir to its nook, dispose of your bottles and filter, and have a beer. Marvel at the gunk in your catch container. Damn, that was in your power steering the whole time. Gross. Have a beer, you just spend 20 minutes on an easy task (didn't even have to bend over).

Hope that helps!

peace,
sam

Palangi · #11 11-05-2005, 10:09 PM

OK, just checking.

Carry on!

Austin85 · #12 11-05-2005, 10:17 PM

Thanks Sam.
I've got everything except the beautiful assistant....Nevermind.

rino · #13 03-11-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

Yes, and I changed it.

Filter p/n: M2000-97891
Cost: $4.36 at Fastlane

The procedure is listed in greater detail with photos in the Diesel how-to sticky, but here is the cliffnotes version:

[CUT]

Hope that helps!

peace,
sam

Great, Sam! You have inspired me to do the same... Only problem is: my "assistant," though beautiful by any standard and available for other types of assistance

, is sadly intrinsically non-available for the type of assistance roles we are discussing here... Basically, I am really left to my own devices for this sort of thing...
So, is it conceivable to you that I could do this routine maintenance procedure on my own (alone)? Like, turn the wheel, fill the reservoir, go back to the wheel, and so forth?

What's your advice in this regard?

Thanks,
Rino

Bodgit2 · #14 11-05-2005, 11:06 PM

On the 210 diesels, is the procedure the same? What mileage is advisable to do the deed? Nice description and good job btw.
Steve

bill murrow · #15 11-06-2005, 07:47 AM

I did mine using Sams method. Worked great.

I used Wally Mart brand PS fluid. Been running that for over a year with no problems.

One car I had someone had used red tranny fluid in the PS system. It leaked bad! Larry told me to dismantle it and look for grooves on the shaft. Sure enough, deep grooves galore, rendering that pump useless.

BTW.....The guy at our local repair shop gave me a quart of type F transmission fluid after I mentioned to him this is the type our PS systems require.

Cheers,

Bill