Power Steering Fluid - what do i need?

[rabbie1969]

due to recent work on my car i need to replace most of my power steering fluid, i read i need a particular fluid from the dealers but can the same spec be bought from a motor factors? Its just i need to get my car on the road and i cant get to a dealers very easily but im going to get some service stuff tomorrow.

i have searched the net and looked in the elsawin e-manuals and my owners manual but they dont seem to tell you exactly what spec of oil i need.

[RuslanA4]

Green fluid that Citroen uses in hydrolic suspension should do the trick. You might as well drain as much as you can and put new stuff in

[rabbie1969]

Green fluid that Citroen uses in hydrolic suspension should do the trick. You might as well drain as much as you can and put new stuff in

i would like to think the factors will know what i need but i want to be prepared in case they palm me off with standard stuff. ill drain what i can and replace .

[RuslanA4]

That was what I got off motor factors when I asked them for power steering fluid. Worked ok for me and cheaper than original fluid

[rabbie1969]

That was what I got off motor factors when I asked them for power steering fluid. Worked ok for me and cheaper than original fluid

ok cheers, i just thought there might be some particular spec liek their engine oils, but ill try a couple of factors and see what they have

[mauricedar]

If you like your car, put genuine audi/vw power steering in it!

[rabbie1969]

If you like your car, put genuine audi/vw power steering in it!

any particular reason why?

[rhencullen1989]

Putting the wrong fluid in will swell the steering rack seals and cause them to leak, i found out the hard way on my B5, had to replace the steering rack, luckily i did it myself saving £400 although exchange rack was £200.

Just go to audi or TPS and buy genuine. it's not too dear, and will save in the long run.

[dan.taylor.1]

The last time i bought it, the kermit juice that audi sell worked out cheaper by several quid thatn any of my local autofactors, and i was a mechanic at the time, so that was trade prices.

Dan

[rabbie1969]

thanks for the replies guys, i dont believe i have to go to audi to get the oil i need, as long as i get the stuff that meets the specifications then that should be just fine.

so what is the specification of the oil required so i can check if the following comma stuff is correct for the job. ;)

i was sold this today http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/221

Suitable for certain: Audi, Seat, VW, Skoda, BMW, Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot, Porsche, Mercedes, Mini, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Saab, Volvo, Deutz, Fendt, MAN vehicles requiring a fluid of this type.

Comma recommends this product for applications requiring: VW/Audi G 002 000/TL52146, BMW 81.22.9.407.758, Opel B040.0070, MB 345.00. Porsche 000.043.203.33, MAN 3623/93 CHF11S, ISO 7308, DIN 51 524T2

[fourringsrus]

rabbie thats a comprehensive list right enough but if in doubt bare in mind whats been said above.
Suitable for Audi does not tell the whole story, for example the power steering pump on my '95 v6 coupes doubles up as a brake assist pump, therefore ATF or power steering oil is not necessarily suitable, please at least contact Audi and quote your car model/type/year etc and take their advice,it really could be an expensive mistake to make when trying to save the wallet and the car

Stuart

[rabbie1969]

i just noticed that the lid and reservoir for the power steering fluid states the spec of oil needed its VW/Audi G 002 000 which this stuff i bought today is. The writing on the reservoir also says it should be mineral oil, the comma stuff i got today is synthetic.

will the fact is mineral or synthetic make any difference?

[rabbie1969]

rabbie thats a comprehensive list right enough but if in doubt bare in mind whats been said above.
Suitable for Audi does not tell the whole story, for example the power steering pump on my '95 v6 coupes doubles up as a brake assist pump, therefore ATF or power steering oil is not necessarily suitable, please at least contact Audi and quote your car model/type/year etc and take their advice,it really could be an expensive mistake to make when trying to save the wallet and the car

Stuart

i know what your saying stuart, it looks like i will get the car on the road tonight, it may mean i have to use this stuff to get me going and change it with the right stuff in the next couple of days once i can get to the dealers. the stuff is the power steering reservoir is not green though so it looks like someone has used the wrong stuff. :p

[spartacus 68]

It's green mineral fluid for hydraulic applications, VW/Audi G 002 000, comes in 1 litre cans. Don't use anything else.

[RuslanA4]

About 5 years ago I've got power steering installed on my previous car, '95 VW Polo, got complete set off '00 Polo. After I've got it in, it was empty and I filled it with mineral hydrolic fluid for Citroen suspension. Car did around 60k miles since then, and I only had to top it up ONCE about 2 years ago. And original fluid was to above mentioned spec. So it works out that there's shouldn't be any problems in using non-OEM fluid. I sold the car recently and got 2001 A4, that has same oil spec. Steering rack is leaking on it, and I've topped it up with Citroen stuff few times. Interesting thing is it's leaking less now :)
Note: this is not recommendation, just sharing my own experience

[rabbie1969]

It's green mineral fluid for hydraulic applications, VW/Audi G 002 000, comes in 1 litre cans. Don't use anything else.

the comma oil is green and to G002000 spec, the only difference is that its synthetic and not mineral. I have used this to fill the power steering fluid level, as i need to get my car going, ill get the green mineral stuff from audi asap and flush the old oil and the comma oil out. The old oil in the system is brown, i dont know if someone has used the wrong stuff or is the green stuff has gone dirty. Its gonna be a pain flushing the power steering but it must be done. :aargh4:

[rabbie1969]

About 5 years ago I've got power steering installed on my previous car, '95 VW Polo, got complete set off '00 Polo. After I've got it in, it was empty and I filled it with mineral hydrolic fluid for Citroen suspension. Car did around 60k miles since then, and I only had to top it up ONCE about 2 years ago. And original fluid was to above mentioned spec. So it works out that there's shouldn't be any problems in using non-OEM fluid. I sold the car recently and got 2001 A4, that has same oil spec. Steering rack is leaking on it, and I've topped it up with Citroen stuff few times. Interesting thing is it's leaking less now :)
Note: this is not recommendation, just sharing my own experience

interesting stuff, seems like the right fluid is needed though or you can end up with leaks.

[RuslanA4]

Don't know why rack on A4 leaking, bought it with leaky one. Rack on Polo never leaked with about 80k on VW/Audi fluid and another 60k on non-OEM fluid. But it will leak if you mix, say, red and green

[fourringsrus]

Yes , if you mix the types you will get brown mess and the concoction of both is what does your seals in and thus causes leaks.

[rabbie1969]

i have ordered 2L from the dealers so picking it up tomorrow and ill flush the old stuff out with new stuff on friday .:aargh4:

[dan.taylor.1]

rabbie1969 if your wanting to drain, put new in, drain and then fill up so its nice and clean you will need more than 2l mate, i think they use about that much to fill them.

Dan

[rabbie1969]

rabbie1969 if your wanting to drain, put new in, drain and then fill up so its nice and clean you will need more than 2l mate, i think they use about that much to fill them.

Dan

According to this guide it only used 1.5 for a flush :approve:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/250562-power-steering-fluid-flush-DIY