fluid transfer from reservoir to system

[cirelle]

does anybody know how long it takes for the fluid to transfer from the (in this case) power steering reservoir to the system, or does it?

When I bought the car, someone had filled all the reservoirs with fluid to the top of the bottles (I guess more is better and those pesky lines min -- max really don't mean anything).

So to make a long story short, the power steering fluid was cloudy, so I sucked out all of the fluid from the bottle and put in new fluid.

The fluid in the hydraulic reservoir was still clear so I just corrected the level.

The reason I ask is I've noticed when on the highway, I notice a change in the steering when accelerating and not accelerating (foot off the gas).

Maybe I have other issues.

 

[joegr]

does anybody know how long it takes for the fluid to transfer from the (in this case) power steering reservoir to the system, or does it?

When I bought the car, someone had filled all the reservoirs with fluid to the top of the bottles (I guess more is better and those pesky lines min -- max really don't mean anything).

So to make a long story short, the power steering fluid was cloudy, so I sucked out all of the fluid from the bottle and put in new fluid.

The fluid in the hydraulic reservoir was still clear so I just corrected the level.

The reason I ask is I've noticed when on the highway, I notice a change in the steering when accelerating and not accelerating (foot off the gas).

Maybe I have other issues.

It doesn't take long at all (seconds) for all the power steering fluid to circulate through the pump and the reservoir. Replacement of all the fluid in the rack depends on how far you turn the steering wheel back and forth.

Do note that the power steering assist level is electronically controlled (as with many cars) on the LS and is varied according to your speed and your steering movements.

 

[cirelle]

Thanks Joe,

The steering seems to want to pull to the right slightly when accelerating, when I let off the gas, it relaxes (no longer pulls). This is slight but noticeable.

When the fluid was cloudy, there was much more wandering at highway speeds. at 40-45 its rock solid.

Still drives well at the 40mph range and there is less wandering at higher speeds since I replaced the fluid.

 

[joegr]

Thanks Joe,

The steering seems to want to pull to the right slightly when accelerating, when I let off the gas, it relaxes (no longer pulls). This is slight but noticeable.

When the fluid was cloudy, there was much more wandering at highway speeds. at 40-45 its rock solid.

Still drives well at the 40mph range and there is less wandering at higher speeds since I replaced the fluid.

Sounds like an alignment or sticking caliper issue to me.

 

[66coupe]

I have to ask cause it looks like no one else caught it, when you say the fluid was clear? Do you mean clear like " see through". Or clear of dirt? What color is your power steering fluid?

 

[cirelle]

clear of noticeable debris, red in color, (like new fluid). The power steering fluid was cloudy (whitish pink cloudy). I was thinking someone may have contaminated it with some other fluid (water, anti-freeze, washer fluid, your guess would be better than mine).

I had the alignment done when the tie-rod was replaced on the driver side. It was off badly (according to the tech). Didn't make a difference in the wandering issue though.

The breaks appear to be ok, but will have them checked again when I get it serviced, which will be soon. I haven't noticed any unusual noise or clunking from the breaks, and the fluid looks to be at the ridge of the break fluid reservoir (half way up).

Hopefully I've got the questions answered.

 

[66coupe]

As stupid as this sounds check your air pressure in the tires

 

[cirelle]

I mis-spoke earlier as I had changed the fluid in the hydraulic reservoir. both hyd and ps have the merconV.

I was thinking I would need to let the ps system go for a week and then replace the fluid one more time to get as much of the previous contamination out as I can. Theory being there is now more new fluid than old.

 

[cirelle]

As stupid as this sounds check your air pressure in the tires

tires are at 30 all the way around

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Some types of ps fluid are of a cloudy whiteish appearance.

 

[cirelle]

That's interesting, I did not know that

 

[chris2523]

food for thought:
LS's seem to have ball joint issues. i've done 3 on one LS. one on the driver side, 2 on the passenger because the first was defective and died quickly. check your front suspension components. the LS wandered all over the highway and moved occasionally over bumps.

 

[cirelle]

should there be side to side, top to bottom, or up and down motion with defective ball joints?

 

[Lownslowlsc]

That's interesting, I did not know that

Yeah, stepmom needed a new ps line and I picked up some of that fluid. I'm used to seeing bright red ps fluid so found it a little strange. Perhaps becuase it was a univ fluid w/ stopleak? idk..

 

[joegr]

Yeah, stepmom needed a new ps line and I picked up some of that fluid. I'm used to seeing bright red ps fluid so found it a little strange. Perhaps becuase it was a univ fluid w/ stopleak? idk..

Power steering fluid is not supposed to be used in the power steering of the LS. The manual clearly calls for Mercon or Mercon V only. (The difference is not great, but apparently important enough that Mercon/Mercon V is called for instead.)

 

[Lownslowlsc]

Power steering fluid is not supposed to be used in the power steering of the LS. The manual clearly calls for Mercon or Mercon V only. (The difference is not great, but apparently important enough that Mercon/Mercon V is called for instead.)

Right, I was just saying that whomever had the car before him prob put the other stuff in, that's all