Author Topic: Power steering fluid... which one? (Read 6030 times)

B318M42W · « **on:** November 08, 2009, 12:09:54 AM »

I need to add some fluid in the P/S tank, and I don't know what to add... it says ATF fluid only. right, but what grade/standard? and is it the same thing for my orange tagged tranny?

thanks!

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:13:37 AM »

The cheapest shit you can get because it's going to leak anyway

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2009, 05:32:06 AM »

True.

Jorgeconrico · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2009, 06:10:25 AM »

Dextron/Mercon III I think, or at least that's what I had in mine. I removed the power steering and I will never go back, but that's just me. As for the tranny I'm running Redline MTL, but I think I'm supposed to be running ATF. I don't care because it runs/ shifts fine, but I've heard in cold weather the shifts aren't as smooth. I don't drive my car in the winter so it doesn't matter.

B318M42W · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2009, 09:31:42 AM »

the rack was changed not tooooo long ago (maybe 1 year or 2) and it's one of the pressure lines that's starting to leak. but i don't actually care much about p/s... i'm more concerned about the clutch components

and thanks for the reply's!

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2009, 10:02:01 AM »

Clutch components? what?

B318M42W · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:43:58 PM »

i thought that the hydraulic stuff (master & slave) cylinders for shifting shared the same fill reservoir.

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:51:09 PM »

Yeah. But you made it sound like it was attached to the power steering reservior. They share the same Brake fluid reservior. Cool?

B318M42W · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:12:20 PM »

awww ok right so p/s is by itself?

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:16:15 PM »

Yup. completely atonomous.

B318M42W · « **Reply #10 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:21:45 PM »

great thanks! so regular dextron III it will be

quinn11m20 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 08, 2009, 01:24:35 PM »

Yup. you got it. I also add a Lucas power steering additive. Its supposed to help freshen up the seals and stuff. It kinda slows down the eventual leak. I have replaced the reservior/filter and hoses with the seals and almost everything except the rack and it still leaks. Its inevitable.

B318M42W · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:16:13 AM »

i guess that the only way to get arround p/s leaking is to convert it manual steering.

monty23psk · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2009, 12:37:49 PM »

Or fix leaking. Replace either hoses or PS rack. Those are the only places it will leak from.

Did you replace crush washers when you replaced hoses. Also if you have the car clean underneath, you just need to raise car on jacks and turn wheel many times but you should see leak. Also check where the drops are hitting the floor, then go up to search.

Choking Hazard · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2009, 05:19:04 PM »

I run pure transmission stop leak.