Power Steering Fluid Black?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cary North Carolina
Power Steering Fluid Black?
I just checked my power steering fluid and it is as black as charcoal (1986 coupe). I had the vette a few months, but I am going to assume power steering fluid for it shouldnt be black unless there is a brand of black fluid out there that I dont know about and this is OK?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
PS fluid is typically clear with a light tan tint to it or even reddish like ATF depending on the brand.
It sounds like your fluid is original and never been changed
Get a cheap turkey baster and suck the old gunk out of the reservoir and add fresh PS fluid. Dirve the car for a day and repeat. It may take a few cycles to completely get the old stuff out.
You can also disconnect the return line and then start the motor. Drain the old stuff into a catch can as you pour new fluid into the reservoir.
It sounds like your fluid is original and never been changed
Get a cheap turkey baster and suck the old gunk out of the reservoir and add fresh PS fluid. Dirve the car for a day and repeat. It may take a few cycles to completely get the old stuff out.
You can also disconnect the return line and then start the motor. Drain the old stuff into a catch can as you pour new fluid into the reservoir.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
From: Concord North Carolina
PS fluid is typically clear with a light tan tint to it or even reddish like ATF depending on the brand.
It sounds like your fluid is original and never been changed
Get a cheap turkey baster and suck the old gunk out of the reservoir and add fresh PS fluid. Dirve the car for a day and repeat. It may take a few cycles to completely get the old stuff out.
You can also disconnect the return line and then start the motor. Drain the old stuff into a catch can as you pour new fluid into the reservoir.
It sounds like your fluid is original and never been changed
Get a cheap turkey baster and suck the old gunk out of the reservoir and add fresh PS fluid. Dirve the car for a day and repeat. It may take a few cycles to completely get the old stuff out.
You can also disconnect the return line and then start the motor. Drain the old stuff into a catch can as you pour new fluid into the reservoir.
I would sugest getting a new line. Just in case yours is abotu to bust. It would be a cheap/wise investment. Just a couple of dollars and a 10 minute fix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Definately change the fluid out. Buy two quarts of Valvoline 75,000+ PS fluid. Use a turkey baster to remove 2 cups of fluid from the reservoir, refill, drive, then repeat. You should get most of the old out in 4 repetitions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Cary North Carolina
Thank you for your replies. I started the first round of new fluid already.
There are 87,000 miles on the car. The trans fluid looks good and the oil has been changed. I am not sure about the brake fliud. It looks a little dark to me, but not nearly as bad as the power steering was. Can I use the same process above for the brake fluid? Suck the fluid out of the resevoir and add new fluid or for this I should definitely flush the brake system?
There are 87,000 miles on the car. The trans fluid looks good and the oil has been changed. I am not sure about the brake fliud. It looks a little dark to me, but not nearly as bad as the power steering was. Can I use the same process above for the brake fluid? Suck the fluid out of the resevoir and add new fluid or for this I should definitely flush the brake system?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 729
Likes: 0
From: Concord North Carolina
Thank you for your replies. I started the first round of new fluid already.
There are 87,000 miles on the car. The trans fluid looks good and the oil has been changed. I am not sure about the brake fliud. It looks a little dark to me, but not nearly as bad as the power steering was. Can I use the same process above for the brake fluid? Suck the fluid out of the resevoir and add new fluid or for this I should definitely flush the brake system?
There are 87,000 miles on the car. The trans fluid looks good and the oil has been changed. I am not sure about the brake fliud. It looks a little dark to me, but not nearly as bad as the power steering was. Can I use the same process above for the brake fluid? Suck the fluid out of the resevoir and add new fluid or for this I should definitely flush the brake system?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
For the brakes, you should definitely flush the system. Otherwise the clean fluid in the master cylinder will never make it through the lines and calipers.
If you've bled brakes before, flushing the system is very easy -- especially if your old fluid is dark.
-Suck out the old fluid with a CLEAN turkey baster, and fill with fresh
-bleed the passenger-rear caliper until you see clean fluid.
-repeat for driver-rear, passenger-front, then driver-front
-frequently check the MC while you're bleeding to make sure it's always full of fluid so you don't suck air in.
If you've bled brakes before, flushing the system is very easy -- especially if your old fluid is dark.
-Suck out the old fluid with a CLEAN turkey baster, and fill with fresh
-bleed the passenger-rear caliper until you see clean fluid.
-repeat for driver-rear, passenger-front, then driver-front
-frequently check the MC while you're bleeding to make sure it's always full of fluid so you don't suck air in.
