Power Steering Flush Questions
#1
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Power Steering Flush Questions
After I bought my car last year, I changed all the fluids except the power steering system. Even though it's not a 'regularly scheduled' maintenance item, I figure it's probably a good idea for 13 year old fluid.
So, a few questions:
1. How much fluid will I need? I am planning to pull the hoses from the rack to remove as much of the old fluid as possible. I did a search and someone said there is less than a single liter in the entire system. Can anyone confirm?
2. Do I need Pentosin CFR 11s or CHF 202? Pelican parts says the 202 is OK for a 993, but I think I need the 11s per some old posts I found.
3. Where is the best place to buy Pentosin? I can't seem to find it locally, but haven't looked too hard.
So, a few questions:
1. How much fluid will I need? I am planning to pull the hoses from the rack to remove as much of the old fluid as possible. I did a search and someone said there is less than a single liter in the entire system. Can anyone confirm?
2. Do I need Pentosin CFR 11s or CHF 202? Pelican parts says the 202 is OK for a 993, but I think I need the 11s per some old posts I found.
3. Where is the best place to buy Pentosin? I can't seem to find it locally, but haven't looked too hard.
#3
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You can do a pretty good flush by slurping as much fluid as possible out of the reservoir with a bulb syringe, refilling with fresh fluid, driving the car some to circulate the fluid, and repeating the process until you use up a liter of fluid.
#4
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The "turkey baster slurp" is also my preferred way of fluid exchange: if the copper crush seals on the rack's banjo bolts are tight, consider leaving well enough alone ....
Febi/Bilstein S6161 is also a full synthetic, compatible PS hydraulic fluid - often at 1/2 the price of Petrosin: I've had it in my system for ~2 years.
Febi/Bilstein S6161 is also a full synthetic, compatible PS hydraulic fluid - often at 1/2 the price of Petrosin: I've had it in my system for ~2 years.
#5
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There is a Porsche TSB covering the PS fluid. I will try to find it later today, it should be available on Renntech.org though. Porsche recommended fluid from the 11S to the 202 because the 202 is synthetic though I think either is acceptable for the 993.
Edit: See the TSB a couple of posts down.
Personally I do the turkey baster slurp method.
Edit: See the TSB a couple of posts down.
Personally I do the turkey baster slurp method.
Last edited by Slow Guy; 08-02-2011 at 04:03 PM.
#6
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There is a Porsche TSB covering the PS fluid. I will try to find it later today, it should be available on Renntech.org though. IIRC it changes the Porsche recommended fluid from the 202 to the 11S (I think, I may have that backwards) because the 11S is synthetic though I think either is acceptable for the 993.
Here's the TSB on the pentosin.
Attachment 405690
Best Regards,
Don
Last edited by ship4u; 04-13-2010 at 03:33 PM.
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#8
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Yes, there is an updated one. This one happens to be for the Boxster but there are identical versions for each of the models.
Last edited by Slow Guy; 12-24-2014 at 01:38 PM.
#9
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Thanks for all the great feedback. I'll go with the 202. I'm still undecided on pulling the hoses vs. the suck method, but will probably take a shot at the hoses since I'll already have the car up for an oil change.
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Quick update - I used the following approach to the PS fluid flush and it went very well:
1. I used a suction device (oil extractor) to drain the PS resevoir in the engine compartment
2. Removed the 2 PS hoses from the rack and let them drain (I already had the car up on jack stands for my brake flush and the fittings came off very easy). Be careful not to loose the crush washers (I probably should have gotten some new ones)
3. Used a suction device on each hose to pull as much fluid from the system as possible (I sucked at least 1/3-1/2 quart, so I think this was worth-while)
4. Re-connected the fittings to the PS rack
5. top off resevoir with Pentosin 202
6. pulled the DME relay (to keep the car from starting) and turned the engine over to circulate the fluid
7. topped off resevoir again
8. Re-install the DME, started the car and turned the wheel back and forth a few times
9. Topped off resevoir again (it took almost the entire litre of pentosin)
10. Check for leaks, lower car, test drive
Porsche does not specify a service interval for the PS fluid that I am aware of. The fluid that came out of my car looked very good. I'm not sure if this was worth doing or not, but the fluid was only $21 and it's a very easy job (especially if you already have your car on stands for something else).
1. I used a suction device (oil extractor) to drain the PS resevoir in the engine compartment
2. Removed the 2 PS hoses from the rack and let them drain (I already had the car up on jack stands for my brake flush and the fittings came off very easy). Be careful not to loose the crush washers (I probably should have gotten some new ones)
3. Used a suction device on each hose to pull as much fluid from the system as possible (I sucked at least 1/3-1/2 quart, so I think this was worth-while)
4. Re-connected the fittings to the PS rack
5. top off resevoir with Pentosin 202
6. pulled the DME relay (to keep the car from starting) and turned the engine over to circulate the fluid
7. topped off resevoir again
8. Re-install the DME, started the car and turned the wheel back and forth a few times
9. Topped off resevoir again (it took almost the entire litre of pentosin)
10. Check for leaks, lower car, test drive
Porsche does not specify a service interval for the PS fluid that I am aware of. The fluid that came out of my car looked very good. I'm not sure if this was worth doing or not, but the fluid was only $21 and it's a very easy job (especially if you already have your car on stands for something else).
#11
Three Wheelin'
"...and George grasped the nettle. Its do or dare.." Not having new crush rings, and knowing Garth's advice to leave well enough alone is sound, I just couldn't help myself:
1. Undid the two rack banjos.
2. Worked the steering back and forth.
3. Cleaned up the banjo bolts on a wire wheel and in old PS fluid.
4. Reassembled.
5. Topped up resevoir.
6. Started car and worked steering.
7. Repeat 5 and 6, then 5 again.
8. Checked for leaks. None!
The old fluid was murky and showed both dark grit and fine metallics. Drained about 750 ml. Very satisfying job!
1. Undid the two rack banjos.
2. Worked the steering back and forth.
3. Cleaned up the banjo bolts on a wire wheel and in old PS fluid.
4. Reassembled.
5. Topped up resevoir.
6. Started car and worked steering.
7. Repeat 5 and 6, then 5 again.
8. Checked for leaks. None!
The old fluid was murky and showed both dark grit and fine metallics. Drained about 750 ml. Very satisfying job!
#12
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Thanks for digging up an old post Paul. I have done all the fluids with the exception of the power steering fluid. I just ordered up a liter of Pentosin CHF 202 for $25.20 delivered. However, I will be doing the turkey baster slurp method.
#14
So this guy I know recently did an engine drop and when he put it back together, he topped off the PS fluid with Royal Purple PS fluid he had leftover from his previous car. "Compatible with all power steering systems," or so the bottles say. Not quite a pint was used. Should he be worried?