Sputnik

After searching archives I found the following recommendation on how to change the old steering fluid by new one in one single step (instead of multiple ones with 2 weeks apart intervals).

"...
1. Drain the old fluid by undoing the lower hose on the reservoir.
2. Put that lower hose back on, fill the reservoir.
3. Undo the return hose.
With the car running, have someone saw back and forth on the steering wheel (opposite lock best) to get the pump working. Continue filling the reservoir, while the old fluid drains from the return hose. Removing the air filter and cover will make the task easier.
To do a full flush, you'll need a little under 2 containers of pentosin..."

I try to figure out which hose is "RETURN" and which one is "LOWER" as they are mentioned in the description above. My guess the

RETURN HOSE is # 1.
LOWER HOSE is # 2.

Please tell me if it is correct?
Thanks in advance!

<img src="http://www.sputniks.us/steer.jpg" alt=" - " />

...And..

...the steering fluid reservour itself is not transparent. How you guys know if it is full or empty?

The fluid I have is Pentosin CHF 11S. I've read there was another type of fluid used in the cars produced in 1994-1995. But it has been mentioned it is OK to mix older ATF fluid with the newer one?

Sputnik

I forgot to say that the hose #2 (which I consider as a "LOWER" is complex one. It consists of multiple parts connected together (you can see the yellow metal connection ...whcih actaully connects the resin part of the hose (with some white print on it (you can see them too on the image) and black plastic hose (which on the image is just behind the digit "2".
The hose # 1 which I consider as RETURN hose is simple by structure. It is a little wider and made of resin.
Thanks!

dwe8922

You're fine to mix fluids--the pentosin was later specified by porsche. I may have been who posted the above method--I got it from the shop who sold me the pentosin. I was all ready to try it, but when I got in there, I thought this is way too much work (coming from a guy who did a 993 clutch change at home)! I ended up compromising by dumpin out the old fluid via the bottom hose, adding new, driving, then repeat process. More of a flush really. I do this every year (just one drain/fill) w/ the rest of my maintenance. If you do go ahead and do the full monty, please let us know--I'd like to see how it works.

David

Sputnik

ok! by the way is hose #1 THE "return" one?

chris walrod

typically the p/s return hose will be hose clamped onto the reservoir and the pressure side is usually a swaged fitting due to the higher pressure. Hope this helps.

Sputnik

Thanks guys!
I've already changed the fluid in the reservoir...using simple "more traditional" method. I emptied the tank and filled it by new fluid. I was able to get 250 ml out of it. And I put in there 350ml. It was said in the manual there is 1 litter of the steering fluid total at the system. Couple more times would probably clean it by 70-80%..which is not bad.
As a side note. I emptied the reservoir using the transparent plastic hose (the same one used for brake flushing). I located the can that would receive old fluid below the level of the steering fluid reservoir...just simple phisic law in work