Power Steering Flush

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Power Steering Flush - 11/28/2007 6:43:22 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline I bought the car about 6 weeks ago with 89,000 miles. The PS pump was replaced about 3 months before I bought the car. The car was rarely driven the last few months by the PO. A few days after I bought the car the PS starting moaning and groaning loud. My mechanic sucked the PS fluid out and refilled and that fixed it for about a month. It's started again. Before I go further, I'm thinking of flushing it again. Thinking there's still some crap in the fluid. I see 2 methods for flushing, one where you remove the resevoir and flush (doesn't seem much room on my car to get the resevoir out on my car) and one where you disconnect the hose at the radiator. Which method is best? Is either way better than just sucking out the fluid from the resevoir several times and running the engine after each top off? Thanks _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas Post #: 1

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/28/2007 6:46:26 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline You NEVER need to flush the PS fluid on an audi, its mineral oil, meaning it will evaporate over time. So it moaning just means its low on fluid. What you need to do is remove the cap top it off, then with the engine running turn the wheel lock to lock several times over to aerate the fluid. You should see lots of bubbles, when the bubbles stop then you can put the cap back on. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to catdog) Post #: 2

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/28/2007 6:51:57 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline The fluid level is a little over the top mark. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 3

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/28/2007 8:16:39 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline If its still moaning do what i just said and aerate it, if it still happens after doing that for a long time then you need a new PS pump. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to catdog) Post #: 4

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 5:40:47 AM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline One thing I forgot to mention is that it doesn't do it all the time, but most of the time. While driving the the car, it can come and go. Because of this, I was thinking there was some debris left from the PS pump replacement a few months ago. The fluid level has never been low. I'll try the aerating thing now. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 5

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 6:21:39 AM    maxims45   Posts: 46 Joined: 11/28/2007 From: St.Petersburg, Russia Status: offline If there is a leakage somewhere - pipes, pump itself - it starts getting air into the liquid, the air is the reason of howling. It disappears while driving (does the same as auditech79 said), but returns back after being parked for some time. You have to inspect to whole system for leaks and potentially replace the pump ($200 for the new one or $40 for repair kit). (in reply to catdog) Post #: 6

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 6:54:12 AM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline I just checked my records the pump was replaced a year ago. I aerated turning the wheel back and forth with the top off for about 10 minutes. The froth is still there. I let the car sit while the bubbles cleared & after a short drive the noise and bubbles come back. How long should I try aereating before I take it to a mechanic to inspect the whole system? The fluid is brown in color and looks like there's air in it. You know a month ago my mechanic sucked the fluid out a few times and poured new fluid in. The fluid was clear, looked like mineral oil. This cleared the problem for awhile. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to maxims45) Post #: 7

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 7:16:51 AM    maxims45   Posts: 46 Joined: 11/28/2007 From: St.Petersburg, Russia Status: offline hey! The fuild should be clear and look like a mineral oil. NOT BROWN! it is recommended to lift up the front (so wheels may move freely) while aerating (in reply to catdog) Post #: 8

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 7:23:40 AM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline How long should I need to aereate? 10 minutes didn't do it. Does driving harm the system with air in it? If I can't get the air out, it will probably be next week before I can get it to my wrench. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to maxims45) Post #: 9

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 7:31:22 AM    maxims45   Posts: 46 Joined: 11/28/2007 From: St.Petersburg, Russia Status: offline As I know (guys please correct me), driving with the air in the pump (completely no liquid) will break the pump. I was driving for 3-4 weeks with this sound, periodically adding the liquid. (in reply to catdog) Post #: 10

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 8:08:43 AM    nemohm   Posts: 188 Joined: 10/11/2007 Status: offline I'd make sure I have the correct fluid in - Pentosin. Bleeding the system provides there are no bubles (all are harmful) in the fluid. Flush it. Low lever as high level are bad. Fill forever-lasts forever is a part of the common myth. Only diamonds last forever (in reply to maxims45) Post #: 11

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 12:39:57 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline Each time I suck some fluid out and replace it with new the noise goes away for awhile. The fluid is still not quite clear yet. Can I flush the system by sucking out the resevoir, refilling it runing the engine and turning the wheel untill the fluid is clear? I've read 2 tech articles on flushing the PS, one where you remove the resevoir & the return line and another where you remove the line at the radiator. Both seem a little scary if I run the fluid out with the engine. I fill more comfortable sucking and refilling if that will do the job. Also so I can't find a fluid leak. Seems there would be one if air was getting in the system from a leak. Thanks for the help. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to nemohm) Post #: 12

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:03:39 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline What kind of fluid are you using? I have a really good feeling your not using the right stuff. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to catdog) Post #: 13

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:08:00 PM    paaudia6   Posts: 52 Joined: 11/20/2007 Status: offline Auditexh my car is doing the samething when i makes turns can i get the ps fluid at autozone or does it have to come from the dealer (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 14

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:14:02 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline You can ONLY use the factory fluid or the Pentosin fluid from ecstuning, other fluids will damage the PS pump. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to paaudia6) Post #: 15

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:16:07 PM    paaudia6   Posts: 52 Joined: 11/20/2007 Status: offline ok thanks how often does it usually evaporate meaning the time it does? (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 16

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:18:08 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline My wrench used Valvoline. It was clear in a gallon jug. It didn't say mineral oil, I asked if it was a mineral oil base and he said yes. Parts stores around here don't seem to have it and didn't feel like driving to the dealership. Ordered synthetic from Pelican Parts, will be here tomorrow. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to paaudia6) Post #: 17

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:21:17 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline quote: ORIGINAL: paaudia6 ok thanks how often does it usually evaporate meaning the time it does? I usually have to top it off every 10k working on cars at the dealer, so i would give it a quick check every 5k. As for the Valvoline stuff, get that out of there ASAP. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to paaudia6) Post #: 18

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:36:38 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline Pelicam listed Febi and Pentosin for my car. I ordered 2 lt of Febi. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 19

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:40:26 PM    paaudia6   Posts: 52 Joined: 11/20/2007 Status: offline auditech can i get it from a VW dealer its closer to my house if yes what should i ask for? (in reply to catdog) Post #: 20

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 3:40:42 PM    auditech79 Posts: 4995 Joined: 2/24/2007 From: Sacramento, CA Status: offline Febi is the exact same thing as the Pentosin so you can use that too. _____________________________ 00 A4 1.8T (in reply to catdog) Post #: 21

RE: Power Steering Flush - 11/29/2007 8:18:00 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline That's good, Febi is 5 bucks cheaper. _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to auditech79) Post #: 22

RE: Power Steering Flush - 12/1/2007 12:53:57 PM    dankhound   Posts: 2634 Joined: 10/17/2005 Status: offline You may have a hose that is coming apart internally causing the scren in the reservoir to keep getting plugged.  Or as you said, debris from the bad pump still in the system.  I would try removing the reservoir and cleaning the screens in the bottom with some brake clean.  (in reply to catdog) Post #: 23

RE: Power Steering Flush - 12/1/2007 6:15:48 PM    catdog   Posts: 100 Joined: 10/14/2007 Status: offline What I can see of the screen from lookng in looks clean. I flushed a liter and a half of Febi through the system sucking it out with a turkey baster. Should I mention that to my wife? The fluid is a good clear green color. After about a half hour of bleeding with the front wheels off the ground, I'm still getting air in the system. I'm thinking there's a leak. There's no drips under the car. Is there a power steering stop leak additive that is safe for our cars? _____________________________ 2002 3.0 Quattro Hill Country, Texas (in reply to dankhound) Post #: 24

RE: Power Steering Flush - 12/1/2007 6:25:53 PM    dankhound   Posts: 2634 Joined: 10/17/2005 Status: offline I think theres another finer screen under that one with the large holes.  On the 3.0l there is also a restrictor fitting on the hose that is on the rearward side of the reservoir.  Sometimes they get clogged.  It can be identifyed by two crimp clamps on the outside of the hose near the reservoir.  You can cut those clamps off and pull the restrictor out with some plyars.  Also if you have a leak between the reservoir and the pump you may be sucking air into the system.  You wont see signs of major leaking but rather small about of ps fluid caked on the lines.  (in reply to catdog) Post #: 25

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