Power Steering Fluid -differnent colors?

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May 5, 2007 | 06:13 PM

Darrel1

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Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 457

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From: Royal Oak Michigan

Power Steering Fluid -differnent colors?

1980 L48 2004R (now)

I have had a little leak in my power steering system and I bought some fluid. I noticed the fluid that is in my resevoir is reddish color and the stuff I just bought is a clear/light brown.

Is this just different brands or is there different fluid for older vehicles? I poured some of the new stuff in and started the vehicle before I realized the difference - so what should I do?? Have I screwed up my sytem??

Darrel1

May 5, 2007 | 06:17 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

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From: New Hill NC

There are variances in color sometimes, but it probably has transmission fluid in it. Dont worry about it, its all compatable.

May 5, 2007 | 06:23 PM

Darrel1

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 457

Likes: 1

From: Royal Oak Michigan

Iv plan on redoing the seals but I wantd to get thru the summer and do it this next winter- I just hop I didn't scrap my system now by mixing the fluids

Thanks for the info

Darrel1

I have learned more about cars in the last 1/5 years since I bought my vette than in the last 38 of my life

May 5, 2007 | 06:31 PM

shoptek

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 3,123

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From: Hollywood, Florida

The old stuff in there is auto tranny fluid, which is perfectly acceptable for our PS systems. The newer PS fluid is usually clear/yellowish fluid. You won't have any compatability issues.
As I recall (years ago) almost every american and most imported vehicles used auto trany fluid for power steering EXCEPT Hondas.

May 7, 2007 | 08:09 AM

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

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From: Saginaw Michigan

The only fluid that is specifically formulated to operate with the Saginaw power steering pumps is the GM power steering fluid. Automatic transmission fluid is formulated along the same generic lines but it is not optimized for power steering. It won't hurt to mix the fluids.

Here is a link to the history of the GM power steering fluid.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...drev24ja07.doc

Jim

May 7, 2007 | 11:55 AM

Darrel1

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 457

Likes: 1

From: Royal Oak Michigan

Thanks for the info. This forum is awesome!!!!

May 7, 2007 | 04:30 PM

PRNDL

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 26,545

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From: Huntersville NC

I also noticed that the new p/s fluid was clear out of the bottle. I was upset! How am I going to identify the puddles on the floor if they are not red?