Pulling my hair out. How do you check and adjust power steering fluid level on 400E
 

Probably the simplest question in the world! Neither google, forum searching, nor the owner's manual give any answer!

There is a yellow stalk in the PS reservior that says "max 20c" and min 20c"

Does this mean PS fluid has to be checked at OP temp? Engine running? Engine not running?

Why is this so hard!

20C is room temp (68F)....so engine off. Just fill it to the Max level marker when its cold with a normal power steering fluid like non-synthetic valvoline....that's what I use.

It's not super picky. Just fill it so its between the marks, and keep the filter and fluid current :cool:

-Jason

With this thread being here....Do you drain/flush PS fluid at all? Or just get it all out of the tower and refill?
I need to do this on both my cars. Never done it before.

Rock on - thanks

It was not visible at the bottom, which I suspect is why it was groaning this morning.

One thing I did find in my search were a couple threads about flushing. Sounds like you run a couple quarts through the system, turning the wheel back and forth, then filling. That's what I got out of it anyway.

I'm hoping I can limp my old, dried-out, heat-overexposed pump along indefinitely by just adding some fluid every few k

I've been limping the pump on my SD that way for a couple years now.....it leaks about a reservoir full every 1000 miles....I even have a spare pump....I've just been too lazy to install it. :D

If you're brave and have two helpers you can unhook the return line, start the car, and keep pouring to keep the pump filled. Be warned... this makes a mess :crazy:

-Jason

OP, don't get all worked up about it. As long as there remains fluid in the reservoir and it is not overflowing you're fine. Nothing to get your nickers in a twist over.


Flushing the P/S system properly is a very simple and quick job and is NOT messy if you do it correctly. I have written the proper procedure on this forum at least a couple of dozen times, so a quick search should pull it up straight away. If you have a drain pan to slide under the car and P/S fluid at hand it can be accomplished in fifteen minutes, a half hour at most.

Simply sucking the fluid out of the reservoir and pouring in fresh accomplishes very little more than nothing and is just a waste of time.

I have the procedure at my fingertips.

Flush Power Steering Fluid Exchange

You'll need a helper. The steps are rather simple.

1. Lift front tires off the ground.
2. Disconnect the ps return line at reservoir, drain ps reservoir.
3. Plug open connection at the reservoir.
4. Secure the return line to a generously-sized container (at least one gallon). If needed, add a length of hose.
5. Fill reservoir with new fluid.
6. Line up your bottles of new fluid for quick pouring.
Here comes the fun part...
7. Have helper turn car on, and immediately have him go through full range of steering motion (left and right) and shut off car, all the while you are trying to keep the reservoir filled. Flush about two quarts from the bottles.
8. Button everything back up.
9. Clean up mess.
10. Top off fluid.

The front tires must be off the ground so the system is unloaded, otherwise a lot of fluid is forcefully pumped out. The return line must be secured to prevent a big mess. Keep at least a gallon of ps fluid on hand. The helper must know what they are doing.

filter
 

One more thing ,,, Change the filter when flushing the pump.

Ben