Valvoline PSF issues
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,759
Likes: 539
From: AZ
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
Valvoline PSF issues
I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.
DON'T do it. The Valvoline Synpower PSF caused intermittent loss of power steering. It was most pronounced from a dead stop. Literally felt like I had lost the power steering pump. It was intermittent and other than from a dead stop, there was no consistency as to when the steering would tighten up or be okay. Actually kind of scary not knowing if you are going to have PS or have to use grunt. Drove to the local chevy dealer and got the GM fluid. Got it home, sucked out the Valvoline and replaced it with the GM stuff and even just in the garage, I could tell problem resolved. I have already done one flush with the GM stuff, will drive it around some then do another replacement.
I will say I am VERY surprised at how quickly the PSF becomes dark, the Valvoline was in only one day and was as dark as the 2 1/2 year old factory fluid. Anyone know why it gets dark so fast?
DON'T do it. The Valvoline Synpower PSF caused intermittent loss of power steering. It was most pronounced from a dead stop. Literally felt like I had lost the power steering pump. It was intermittent and other than from a dead stop, there was no consistency as to when the steering would tighten up or be okay. Actually kind of scary not knowing if you are going to have PS or have to use grunt. Drove to the local chevy dealer and got the GM fluid. Got it home, sucked out the Valvoline and replaced it with the GM stuff and even just in the garage, I could tell problem resolved. I have already done one flush with the GM stuff, will drive it around some then do another replacement.
I will say I am VERY surprised at how quickly the PSF becomes dark, the Valvoline was in only one day and was as dark as the 2 1/2 year old factory fluid. Anyone know why it gets dark so fast?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,759
Likes: 539
From: AZ
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
It was almost like the valvoline was to thick for the pump and it wouldn't pump it. Dunno, we'll see if anyone else chimes in.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.
DON'T do it. The Valvoline Synpower PSF caused intermittent loss of power steering. It was most pronounced from a dead stop. Literally felt like I had lost the power steering pump. It was intermittent and other than from a dead stop, there was no consistency as to when the steering would tighten up or be okay. Actually kind of scary not knowing if you are going to have PS or have to use grunt. Drove to the local chevy dealer and got the GM fluid. Got it home, sucked out the Valvoline and replaced it with the GM stuff and even just in the garage, I could tell problem resolved. I have already done one flush with the GM stuff, will drive it around some then do another replacement.
I will say I am VERY surprised at how quickly the PSF becomes dark, the Valvoline was in only one day and was as dark as the 2 1/2 year old factory fluid. Anyone know why it gets dark so fast?
DON'T do it. The Valvoline Synpower PSF caused intermittent loss of power steering. It was most pronounced from a dead stop. Literally felt like I had lost the power steering pump. It was intermittent and other than from a dead stop, there was no consistency as to when the steering would tighten up or be okay. Actually kind of scary not knowing if you are going to have PS or have to use grunt. Drove to the local chevy dealer and got the GM fluid. Got it home, sucked out the Valvoline and replaced it with the GM stuff and even just in the garage, I could tell problem resolved. I have already done one flush with the GM stuff, will drive it around some then do another replacement.
I will say I am VERY surprised at how quickly the PSF becomes dark, the Valvoline was in only one day and was as dark as the 2 1/2 year old factory fluid. Anyone know why it gets dark so fast?
