Power Steering Fluid > Before and After doityourself

[danewilson77]

Just did the initial Turkey Baster flush of my power steering reservoir.

New is on left......fluid with about 50k miles on it....is on the right. I am using M1 Synthetic ATF.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/IMAG1235.jpg

[Hermes]

I was thinking about doing this... what is you opinion on using the Red Line ATF for this vs what you bought?

[danewilson77]

My opinion is: I don't think it matters....but the only data point I had was the M1 closely matched the oem fluid.

[spencers]

I was thinking about doing this... what is you opinion on using the Red Line ATF for this vs what you bought?

I use Redline D4ATF. Works great.

In the end, its all the same

[derbo]

it sure gets dirty!

[Hornung418]

You gonna eat out of those bowls?

I should probably change my fluid...

[danewilson77]

You gonna eat out of those bowls?

I should probably change my fluid...

After washing... Yes.

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[Whitexi]

Since you switched over to the M1 Snthetic has it progressed in leaking anywhere?

I am worried that switcing to a synthetic for here after being only regular ATF that it will speed up the leaking from my p/s hoses. I have flushed it once a few years ago and was planing on doing it again this summer, I think I used the regular Castrol ATF last time.

[danewilson77]

I changed it 2 days ago.... And I changed it around 100k miles. After ~50k miles... I did not develope any leaks whatsoever.

I did same on TiAg. It did not produce leaks after doing it. Do you have data on this?

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[Whitexi]

I was relaying back to the same issue from taking a car that was run with regular oil all its life then changing to synthetic. Usually it can and will develope oil leaks. I had this happen with a few of my cars and then a few shops said that its not good to change over from regular oil to synthetic after a long time of using regular.

My A6, and 88 subaru leaked so bad when I changed to a full synthetic.

[danewilson77]

I was relaying back to the same issue from taking a car that was run with regular oil all its life then changing to synthetic. Usually it can and will develope oil leaks. I had this happen with a few of my cars and then a few shops said that its not good to change over from regular oil to synthetic after a long time of using regular.

My A6, and 88 subaru leaked so bad when I changed to a full synthetic.

OK. I think oem ps fluid is synthetic. No?

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[Whitexi]

Oh idk haha I can tell you that if that's the case mine isn't anymore. I thought from my research 3 years ago that it was just regular ATF.

[Avetiso]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but what fluid do I need to use in a zhp? My fluid leaked out during the accident, and I heard they take different types... My cap just says ATF on it.

[Hermes]

Use the Redline D4 ATF, the D6 might be too thin

[danewilson77]

I use M1 ATF, available at Autozone, or Advance Auto Parts.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[JupiterBMW]

I'll post a question here too... What percentage of the total fluid do you think you are able to get out using the turkey baster? I don't know the status of my fluid, but plan to do all fluids at 100K miles (1500 from now) and I'd be happy getting this done too.

[danewilson77]

90%ish? I do it three time over the course of a couple of days and utilize the entire quart. The question we need an answer to, to answer this accurately is how much fluid the power steering system holds.

[JupiterBMW]

Ahh ok, so you do it a few times with some driving in between to circulate/mix the fluid, and each time lessening the concentration of the old fluid... That's what I was expecting, just wasn't sure if you went through the trouble... Good to know though...

As for system quantity, I'd expect a quart would be the majority of it anyway...? :dunno

[danewilson77]

Most likely it wouldn't be much more than a quart with the pump, reservoir and small amount of tubing.

[M0nk3y]

If you want to do everything you gotta crawl under the car and do a complete bleed/flush.

As Dane said though, fill the reservoir and drive around. Repeat. You'll be able to get most of the fluid out as it circulates around the system.

I will also mention, PS fluid will be discolored rather quickly. Nature of the beast.

I personally use Castrol ATF for import vehicles.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9012226&contentId=7028224

[ryankokesh]

Yeah, I think I did it six times and went through two quarts to get it looking like new fluid. Might have been overkill. :dunno

[Avetiso]

Is m1 = mag1?

Need to know asap.

Sent from the grave. They have Wi-Fi down here.

[JupiterBMW]

M1 = Mobil 1

[Avetiso]

Oh ok. It's okay, I went with valvoline full synthetic atf.

Sent from the grave. They have Wi-Fi down here.

[Johal E32]

Are you supposed to change out the p/s reservoir as well? It is under $30 for the res. and it includes a new filter.

I am asking as this is my next DIY for the 323i

[danewilson77]

Are you supposed to change out the p/s reservoir as well? It is under $30 for the res. and it includes a new filter.

I am asking as this is my next DIY for the 323i

Yes, that is an option as the filter is integral to the reservoir.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[Torxuvin]

My PS fluid. (supposed to be red) I changed it yesterday. Not sure the mileage. Seriously. It's not soda

6651

[Avetiso]

Looks like soda. It is in a soda bottle. It is soda.

Good thing you changed it. Looks like it was desperately in need of one.

[Torxuvin]

Looks like soda. It is in a soda bottle. It is soda.

Good thing you changed it. Looks like it was desperately in need of one.

Lol. I couldn't find anything else to put the old fluid in. Yeah, I agree.