Power Steering Fluid

[royclark]

We all know that we have to change brake fluid every 2 to 3 years because it absorbs water.

Power steering fluid on the other hand is not even mentioned in the service schedule and yet there is a expiry date on the tin of CHF11S. WHY?

Does hydraulic fluid (CHF11S) also absorb moisture, if not, why an expiry date ?

[zollaf]

all oils absorb water. pas does get hot though so like engine oil it will dry itself out. pas fluid should e changed about every 5 years though really. i know its not on any service schedule and will normally last the life of a car, but it depends on what the life of a car is.

[royclark]

all oils absorb water. pas does get hot though so like engine oil it will dry itself out. pas fluid should e changed about every 5 years though really. i know its not on any service schedule and will normally last the life of a car, but it depends on what the life of a car is.

Thanks Zollaf.

The reason that I asked the above question is because I have four bottles of unopened CHF11s and noticed today that they had a production and an expiry date on the bottles.

If unopened is it safe to use ?

I have changed my PS fluid once two years ago and want to do it again.

[zollaf]

i would say it is safe to use. it probably been doing nothing in a sealed container for less time than most cars pas has been doing steering or gearbox duties. every thing has to have a sell by date, even tins of beans which are fine for years.

[royclark]

i would say it is safe to use. it probably been doing nothing in a sealed container for less time than most cars pas has been doing steering or gearbox duties. every thing has to have a sell by date, even tins of beans which are fine for years.

CHF11s is not out of date until 2016, but that's only 12 months away.
Changed my brake fluid again today and threw 2 x 1L unopened tins of brake fluid away that had expired.

[zollaf]

the brake fluid would have been fine. i use 20 litre bag in boxes of ferodo fluid and that has no expiry date on it.

[royclark]

the brake fluid would have been fine. i use 20 litre bag in boxes of ferodo fluid and that has no expiry date on it.

Doh.

I'll get it out of the bin then.

[OVI82]

Whilst we're on this subject Could any of you guys help with some instructions on how to change the PAS fluid.I bought some from the dealers a few months back.Is there a bleed screw/valve somewhere or is it just a case of sucking it out with an extractor??.Royclark,I see we have more or less the same engine so if you're doing the fluid change yourself and don't mind sharing the info that we would be great.Also how many litres is roughly required for this?.Thanks in advance.

[Doctle Odd]

You can only empty the reservoir by sucking it out. To empty the system completely you need to drain it from the lowest point, usually a pipe union on the rack.

[royclark]

Whilst we're on this subject Could any of you guys help with some instructions on how to change the PAS fluid.I bought some from the dealers a few months back.Is there a bleed screw/valve somewhere or is it just a case of sucking it out with an extractor??.Royclark,I see we have more or less the same engine so if you're doing the fluid change yourself and don't mind sharing the info that we would be great.Also how many litres is roughly required for this?.Thanks in advance.

This is how I did it.

Two trolley jacks, one either side.
Raise the front wheels off the floor.
Suck out as much PS fluid as you can from the PS reservoir (I use a pastry baister) . get a container next to the res. so you don't drop fluid every where. (I used an empty coffee jar.)
Fill the res. with new CHF11s fluid.
Sit in the car and start the engine for about six seconds and at the same time turn the steering wheel from lock to lock about six times then turn off the engine.
Keep repeating this procedure until you use all of your fluid.

I put 4L of CHF11s through it (but I got it for nout)

At the end compare the difference between the old and new fluid, Mine was Old = dark brown compared to New = clear light greenish.

The reason for running the engine for only six seconds at a time is so that you only pump the new fluid out of the res. and refill with old fluid ready to repeat the opperation.