What Are the Chances?

[HilaryP]

Two weeks ago, I posted the thread below about leaking power steering fluid. For the last week, after deciding not to repair or replace anything at all, no fluid has leaked. The lid of the fluid reservoir seemed to have been the cause of the first "leak." When I took it back to the big oil-change place (that has a superstore attached to it and whose first letter is a W), they refilled the reservoir. Three days later, I had the second "leak" and the wheel locked up again.

But now, there is no "leak" at all. What are the chances that both oil-change techs just didn't put the lid back on? This is not a humorous question. For females to have to check their power steering fluid levels every time they use their truck means another trip to the sink and Fels Naptha. (Also, I am paste-waxing and buffing my "baby," and I don't want to think I might have to junk her.) Thanks.

 

[shane96ranger]

This may be a dumb question, but what are the chances they filled it ALL the way? It will leak out of the breather hole if it's too full. And it's conceivable to me that it could lock up on you if it was too full as well. The fluid may have had no place to go when you turned the wheel, so it locked up.

At least if I am understanding your post correctly?

Also, be sure they are putting power steering fluid in it, not ATF. Many of these "W" stores have complete morons working throughout the store, so it makes sense they would hire some to service your vehicle. Mine had ATF in it when I bought it and the wheel had a jerking motion to it when I turned. You will be able to tell what they used by the color. If your fluid is red, it's wrong. If it's clear it is correct.

 

[HilaryP]

Now you have me thinking, because the drip marks down the entire neck of the fluid fill looked like I was driving upside down up Pike's Peak. The only thing was that the entire reservoir was dry. To my knowledge, I'm the only one who filled it (within the past five weeks, that is) with power steering fluid.

Would ATF leak faster? Because--this is the important thing--is that after I filled it at Autozone, three clerks who had nothing to gain or lose saw a drip coming from the lines. So did I. But now--nothing. If the "W" guys filled it with ATF, and if ATF leaks faster than power steering fluid, then there still might be a leak. Thanks, Shane96.

 

[LittleBigFoot]

You're supposed to bleed your powersteering. Remember it's a hydraulic system just like your brakes. Ish. I bet air bubbles pushed fluid out your cap.

Park in somewhere besides your driveway. I like to do this at churches.

Let the truck run and pull the PS resivor cap. Leave it off.

Turn the wheels from lock to lock, holding at the outsides.

Repeat.

This will belch up air that's in your lines/pump/box/what ever.

Continue to pour in more as the air burps out.

When it's not spittin up, Fill up to the specified marks on the cap dip stick or resivor.


That'll also help with the typical ford power steering whine.

I saw this in a kia suv, a dodge stratus both in the last week.

Good luck!

 

[exbass94]

Also, be sure they are putting power steering fluid in it, not ATF. Many of these "W" stores have complete morons working throughout the store, so it makes sense they would hire some to service your vehicle. Mine had ATF in it when I bought it and the wheel had a jerking motion to it when I turned. You will be able to tell what they used by the color. If your fluid is red, it's wrong. If it's clear it is correct.

Rangers, (along with basically every Ford ever made) are supposed to use ATF, NOT power steering fluid. Look in your owner's manual.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Rangers, (along with basically every Ford ever made) are supposed to use ATF, NOT power steering fluid. Look in your owner's manual.

Mercon to be specific. I've also heard that if you use the clear fluid, your power steering pump will be noisy. A friend of mine experienced this problem.

 

[exbass94]

Mercon to be specific. I've also heard that if you use the clear fluid, your power steering pump will be noisy. A friend of mine experienced this problem.

A '94 would actually still use Type F, not Mercon. Everyone here should scroll on down to the Steering forum and read the sticky at the top.

 

[mp3deviant721]

A '94 would actually still use Type F, not Mercon. Everyone here should scroll on down to the Steering forum and read the sticky at the top.

Well thats funny, I use Merc in my 93. I swear thats what it said in my owner's manual. I'll check tomorrow.

 

[exbass94]

As far as I know, pretty much all Ford PS systems used Type F until 95. My 94 Explorer specs Type F.

 

[mp3deviant721]

I have no doubt you are right. I guess I will have to flush my system out and fill it up with Type F then. The fluid is looking kind of dark anyhow.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I've been putting regular ol' P/S fluid in my pumps for years. Bled properly and they don't whine. I just had to pull my pump again to change the timing belt, refilled it with P/S fluid. actually, it's the quietest it's ever been in a long time.

Normally I bleed them under vacuum, via an old cap, hose barb, catch resivuar (as not to suck p/s fluid into the intake) and vacuum line (works wonders). But this time it seems to have worked itself out. First time I've ever had that happen.

 

[shane96ranger]

are supposed to use ATF, NOT power steering fluid. Look in your owner's manual.

So it does. I seem to remember my pump and rack I put in my Mustang last summer saying "power steering fluid only". I also was taught that back in my HS Auto Mechanic class.

Either way, I've never had an issue and have always used it. My factory rack and pump lasted 185,000 miles and 20 years. And switching the ATF out for PS fluid cured the jerking motion on my Ranger.

Sorry for the bad info, but I still will swear by the PS fluid.

 

[shane96ranger]

I've been putting regular ol' P/S fluid in my pumps for years. Bled properly and they don't whine. I just had to pull my pump again to change the timing belt, refilled it with P/S fluid. actually, it's the quietest it's ever been in a long time..

I didn't see this before. I totally agree. Mine is much quieter and easier to turn. When mine had the ATF in it it also foamed a lot more when it was running. I just sucked it out with a turkey baster then put new stuff in it and bled it out. Much nicer.

 

[HilaryP]

If you're a female from the Eisenhower era, would just taking the PS lid off in a church parking lot be good enough? Because I'm going on two weeks now, and it's still not dripping.

Also, what are the words you would say to a garage if you wanted them to bleed your lines? Is that what you say--How much would you charge to bleed the power steering lines?

And what does the power steering have to do with the timing (or didn't I read that right)? If it takes more than two sentences to explain, just ignore me, and I will go away again.

 

[Captain Ledd]

If you're a female from the Eisenhower era, would just taking the PS lid off in a church parking lot be good enough? Because I'm going on two weeks now, and it's still not dripping.

Also, what are the words you would say to a garage if you wanted them to bleed your lines? Is that what you say--How much would you charge to bleed the power steering lines?

And what does the power steering have to do with the timing (or didn't I read that right)? If it takes more than two sentences to explain, just ignore me, and I will go away again.

My timing belt broke. In order to replace it I had to completely remove the power steering pump because the bracket that held it, blocked the removal of the timing belt cover. Yes, I nearly had to take half the engine apart.

And since I had to pull the P/S pump completely out, it drained everything, and not exactly in the bucket I had ready either .

I refilled everything with regular P/S steering fluid.