So I move the car to wash it and I see red drops of an oily liquid on the floor near my right front wheel. "Oh golly gee-whiz gosh darn I say to myself" (or words to that effect) "I've got a power steering leak!"
So I call Jim and order a rack. I figure I've got to move it for the motor mounts anyway, so might as well do it all at one time.
Guess I better check the power steering fluid level. Looks pretty good----hey, it's clear, not red! Hmmmm, better drop the belly pan.
Turns out it's the AC compressor "bleeding".
Lesson #1----LOOK BEFORE YOU ORDER!!

 

Another 15 minutes and I would have shipped it !! now about that clear Dexron ATF in the power steering that has me wondering .......while you are doing the motor mounts why not change the P S ATF too, many 928s have been fed Audi PS fluid over the years. It takes less than 1 liter about .7.

 

Good idea Jim. I'll do it.

 

Ernest . . Do you need a A/C compressor? I have one from an 85 if that will work for you. Let me know.

 

Hey Ron,
Thanks, I may take you up on it. I've got to figure out where it's leaking from first.

 

Ok Ernie . . It's yours if you need it.

 

Shouldn't this be a post about how you got lucky and didn't need a new rack?

 

Nah, it works better when I highlight my own stupidity, but you're right, I did get lucky.

 

Sounds like a narrowly averted classic case of 'premature erackulation' ....

 

 

Now dat dares funny

 

Hi Erneat,
some Dexron 3 fluids are clear - especially synthetics
I use Castrol's Transmax Z (synthetic Dexron 3) in all of my cars - it is a very light green - it can almost be judged as "clear"

As Jim B said perhaps its better to be changed - you can do it via the reservoir using a suction extractor. To ensure that all fluid is changed you will need to use about 1.5 litres when doing it this way

How is the Delvac 1 5w-40 performing in the engine?

Regards
Doug

 

Hi Doug,
The Delvac 1 5w-40 is working extremely well based on purely subjective criteria. The engine temperature is very stable under track conditions. I'm going to have to remove the oil filter to do the motor mounts next weekend and it would be a good time to get a baseline analysis. Any problem using oil from the filter?

 

Hi Ernest,
I'm pleased that your experience with Delvac 1 5w-40 has been positive. It is probably the best oil available for our cars (now available as M1 SUV 5w-40)

It is best to take your sample from the pan itself (using a suction pump via the dipstick tube will do) but if you must use oil from the filter I would let it stand for an hour or so after removal and then take the sample from the central "tube". Do not simply pour the oil into the sample bottle - you really need to suck it out to avoid contamination. As you know the wear metal results are shown in "parts per million" (ppm)

You will need about 150ml - please publish your results

Kind regards
Doug

 

Doug,
Would you do me a favor and search engine oil analysis in Google and recommend a lab here in the US? I'm not sure what I'm looking for and I'd like your expert advice.