[GMCnet] Power steering fluid, Anti-foaming

[Bob Dunahugh]

About 15 years ago I put a new power steering hose on. I filled the system with ATF only. As I thought ATF could be used. As I had topped off a low power steering system before with no problems. When I started the engine up with only ATF. I started having foam coming out of my power steering pump. What I found out was that ATF doesn't have the anti-foaming additives that power steering fluids have. What I learned was you can use ATF in a pinch to top off a steering system. But that's it. I change my ATF and my power steering fluids every 20,000 miles.
Bob Dunahugh78 Royale4 Yenko's
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

[r...@gmcnet.org]

BobDunahugh wrote on Sun, 24 November 2013 22:03

My 3 toyota's use ATF in the power steering pumps according to Toyota.
--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

[Howard Nielsen]

Our Durango uses power steering fluid for power steering.
The transmission uses ATF
Our El Camino ATF all the way around same with the 50 Chevy pickup that I installed power steering on.
Use what the manufacturer recommends.
Howard
74 Canyon Lands using ATF in the power steering.

All is well with my Lord

[jim kanomata]

Bob,
When we do a PS with a Hydro Boost brake system and put in new fluid, we have problems with foam.
I appreciate this info as we have assumed that the fluids were interchangeable.
--
Applied/GMC, Fremont, CA
1-800-752-7502
ji...@appliedgmc.com
www.appliedgmc.com

[Bob Dunahugh]

What is good for Toyota has nothing to do with a GM product. There is a reason that there are different oils for the final drive, automatic transmissions, engine oil, power steering systems, and so on. And each manufacturer has their own requirements. Plus what was good at one time. May not be recommended years later. It's not what you may get away with. It's what's correct. Howard is absolutely correct in his comment.

[jim kanomata]

adding some fluid is one thing, but when you start out with a bone dry unit, it is different.
Foaming is an issue, we know that as we run into this issue frequently.

--
Applied/GMC, Fremont, CA
1-800-752-7502
ji...@appliedgmc.com
www.appliedgmc.com

[r...@gmcnet.org]

BobDunahugh wrote on Mon, 25 November 2013 07:03

I'm not disagreeing with you.I always thought power steering systems used only power steering fluid till I topped off the Toyota pump then saw it took ATF fluid. Now I make sure I add the fluid it says needs to be in the system. I wonder what would be the effect if ATF were replaced with power steering fluid?

--
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook

[Craig Lechowicz]

Roy,
I don't know the answer to your question, but just to complicate things, Toyota spec trans fluid is fairly different than GM Dexron, or parts store Dexron compatible. I worked on a friend's Saab (someday I have to figure out how I get roped into doing stuff like that), and Saab is pretty picky about what trans fluid you use. And, no "official" Saab dealers left. Looking at their web boards, both some Saab's and many Toyotas use Aisin-Warner automatics. Fluid at the Toyota dealer was actually quite a bit cheaper than "compatible" oil at the import parts store. I'm not sure about the foam characteristics on it, but the level of friction and anti-friction additives in it are very different than the GM stuff.
--
Craig Lechowicz
'77 Kingsley, Waterford, MI

[John R. Lebetski]

Maybe back in the day Dexron II was Ok but that has long been superseded. I use PS fluid in GM systems. I used Dexron once in the mid 70s and the steering became grabby and notchy feel.
--
John Lebetski
Chicago, IL
77 Eleganza II
Source America First

[Bob de Kruyff]

jim kanomata wrote on Mon, 25 November 2013 10:23

> adding some fluid is one thing, but when you start out with a bone dry unit, it is different.
> Foaming is an issue, we know that as we run into this issue frequently.

It sure is different. In fact after bleeding the system by turning from lock to lock, the oil will aerate to the point that it actually can take a day or more to completely clear up. Before it clears up the effort will be higher than normal.

--
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ

[jim kanomata]

We have let the unit sit for few hours tolet the foam settle.
Next one we work on, we will use power steering fluid , not trans fluid.

--
Applied/GMC, Fremont, CA
1-800-752-7502
ji...@appliedgmc.com
www.appliedgmc.com