Is this power steering fluid ok ?

[colinbos]

Originally Posted by CaerYnArfon

B****r... you are probably correct, completed the Amazon order now... oh well will see if its enough at least I can get it partially clean and repeat in another few days.

It maybe enough. If not, its fine. It will give the new fluid time to swirl around the system cleaning mixing with old fluid making a decent job in the end.

The fact your doing it will make the steering rack and pump perform better and last.

[harvomark]

Hi all,

After reading this thread thought I would check the state of the fluid and even though the fluid is clean but is ATF not CHF11S(only had the car a year and looks like it has had new hose). It's a 55 plate D5 will this be ok to leave or should I flush & change?

Thanks.

[CaerYnArfon]

Harvomark.

I'm not an expert but going with the general flow of this thread it would seem that the consensus is to use CHF11s. As its a straightforward job to do its probably worth it. and as Colinbos said it might be worth getting about 4 litres and do it in a couple of goes

I ordered and paid for 2 litres from amazon last night at £16.20 each then got an email back from my local car spares this morning saying yes they stock it and its 9.95 per litre....

in the words of "Unlucky Alf" from the Fast Show... "oh... bug*er..."

Oh well if I need any more

[colinbos]

Originally Posted by harvomark

Hi all,

After reading this thread thought I would check the state of the fluid and even though the fluid is clean but is ATF not CHF11S(only had the car a year and looks like it has had new hose). It's a 55 plate D5 will this be ok to leave or should I flush & change?

Thanks.

Id check what your Service manual tells you to use. I understand some cars used ATF (Red Colour) and some CHF11s (Green Colour) Mixing or indeed using the incorrect one may cause you problems.

IF yours has ATF in and your having no problems, doesn't mean its the correct fluid. Check with your manual, and you'll purchase the correct fluid.

[harvomark]

Hi,

Owner manual says WSS M2C204-A or Equivalent which I assume is CHF11S, the fluid in there is red so ATF. Been in there since before I brought the car and no issues yet, so will this cause me issues and if I have to change what is the best way of draining/flushing the red fluid out?

Thanks

[harvomark]

Originally Posted by Clan

Volvo always used red ATF in the power steering until around the Mid 1990's when they found with very low temperatures ( about - 10 C and lower ) the assistance could become erratic ... So they introduced this new Green synthetic fluid in the factory which goes on to this day , this has better low temperature performance .
There is no harm at all in using red fluid , they said at the time it was optional and either could be used although best not to mix .
Power steering hydraulics havent changed over the years , a 2015 pump is just like a 1990 pump ... there must be something about it in the older handbooks .. i remember reading it at the time in an old green headed bulletin . . If anyone has a collection of these maybe they can dig it out .

Should I leave the Red ATF in or would I be wise to change it? what's the best way to drain the red out?

Thanks.

[colinbos]

If your having no issues, and its clean, then I trust Clan when he says its fine to keep in.

If your having issues, then I would flush it, following the video in post 29, using CHF11s (Central Hydrauic Fluid) which is the fluid your manual tells you to use. If you decide to flush it, then I would suggest 3+ litres would be needed.

[harvomark]

Thanks,

I did watch the video but it says do not mix different fliuds but if I do say 4 flushes it removes 90% of the old fluid which still leaves 10% of the red, do I have to completely remove the red first? if so how? Looking at the service history the PAS pipe was replaced in May 2015 with drain and refill.

Thanks.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by harvomark

I did watch the video but it says do not mix different fliuds but if I do say 4 flushes it removes 90% of the old fluid which still leaves 10% of the red, do I have to completely remove the red first? if so how?

It's actually 93% after 4 flushes and obviously greater still if you continue.
To help further, following the first drain only and before pouring in new CHF, turn the wheel lock to lock once. This will return a little more of the old ATF to the reservoir which will need sucking out and adding to what's already been removed.
You can then measure and replace with the same quantity of CHF.
Doing it this way means the first refill is 6-700ml instead of 500ml and speeds up the dilution and converting to green.

The pas system is a loop and what's in the reservoir after several lock to lock turns represents the colour of the whole system so you simply repeat the process until the fluid colour is correct.

I can transform a red ATF system to green using 3 litres of CHF.

[harvomark]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

It's actually 93% after 4 flushes and obviously greater still if you continue.
To help further, following the first drain only and before pouring in new CHF, turn the wheel lock to lock once. This will return a little more of the old ATF to the reservoir which will need sucking out and adding to what's already been removed.
You can then measure and replace with the same quantity of CHF.
Doing it this way means the first refill is 6-700ml instead of 500ml and speeds up the dilution and converting to green.

The pas system is a loop and what's in the reservoir after several lock to lock turns represents the colour of the whole system so you simply repeat the process until the fluid colour is correct.

I can transform a red ATF system to green using 3 litres of CHF.

Thanks for reply,

One job for the weekend