knackered power steering fluid

1. user_35014 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Helensburgh Posts: 1206 Cammed Ph2 VTS

   #1 4th February 2011, 11:33

   my steering has been a bit ropey recently, quite hard to turn. i took the cap off the reservoir and its a little like milkshake, so i presume water is getting in somwhere.
   
   my two questions are what is the commonest place this could happen and how can i fully drain the system for a refill?
2. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #2 4th February 2011, 15:27

   if its like milkshake after running it could well be air bubbles in the fluid rather then water, maybe the pump is getting tired and just stirring the fluid rather then pumping it?
3. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #3 4th February 2011, 15:30

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mandyslover70 if its like milkshake after running it could well be air bubbles in the fluid rather then water, maybe the pump is getting tired and just stirring the fluid rather then pumping it?

   Sorry to hijack the thread but the fluid in mine is dirty whats the best way of draining it to put fresh fluid in?
   
   
   Thanks.
   
   Steve.
4. user_35014 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Helensburgh Posts: 1206 Cammed Ph2 VTS

   #4 4th February 2011, 17:19

   I would say the best thing to do is use a turkey baster and get all the shit out, then replace with fresh. it will recirculate eventually and sort it out.
   
   Not sure about the pump thing ,i dont mean its frothy like milkshake just thick and creamy like when you get hg failure and water in the oil.
5. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #5 4th February 2011, 19:56

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by pjw I would say the best thing to do is use a turkey baster and get all the shit out, then replace with fresh. it will recirculate eventually and sort it out. Not sure about the pump thing ,i dont mean its frothy like milkshake just thick and creamy like when you get hg failure and water in the oil.

   Yeah I was thinking along similar lines of using a syphoning kit puttng the tube in the filler reservoir & getting it out like that
   
   
   Steve
6. user_35014 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Helensburgh Posts: 1206 Cammed Ph2 VTS

   #6 4th February 2011, 22:19

   If you want to pikey it just jam a cotton tshirt in and then wring it out to pull it out once its soaked through..
   
   Easier to just pull the hose off the unit below the reservoir to be honest. Just make sure you crimp it until your ready to drain as its not good stuff.
7. user_20080 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.

   #7 5th February 2011, 12:05

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by pjw If you want to pikey it just jam a cotton tshirt in and then wring it out to pull it out once its soaked through.. Easier to just pull the hose off the unit below the reservoir to be honest. Just make sure you crimp it until your ready to drain as its not good stuff.

   Thats just it I don`t want to pikey I try to do things the proper way.
   
   
   Steve.
8. user_35014 Established Member Joined: Jun 2009 Helensburgh Posts: 1206 Cammed Ph2 VTS

   #8 5th February 2011, 14:55

   Still achieves the same result regardless.