Yusaf

Hi, I just read this post and just wanted to get some more confirmation if possible PLEASE!

It doesn't sound like getting a power steering flush is totally necesarry from what I've read and heard. A friend told me that "you usually don't hear about that happening" but whatever. I have 81,000 miles on my TL. The Honda dealership quoted me for around $80. Does this have to happen at this mileage, can I wait? I guess if something was really wrong you would notice it. However, at the same time I'd like to have this car for a LONG time. I bought my car used so I don't know all the service history. Thanks

SodaLuvr

The easier way (and almost as effective) is to go to a Honda parts counter and pick-up 64 oz (or so) of Honda power steering fluid.

Then use a turkey baster to suck out the contents of the power steering reservoir every few days until you use up all of the fluid you bought.

This will replace almost all of the fluid and cost you a fraction of what a flush would cost.

01tl4tl

To sort out and sum up some questions on this thread

The fluid moves with the engine running because the PS PUMP is well... PUMPING
Not the same as when the extra rpm of driving really pushes the fluid!

Turkey Baster and new fluid, then turning the wheels lock to lock and do the suck and replace again and again.

The best reason to do it is if you got water or moisture in the fluid from pressure washing the engine or extreme weather of snow or rain

Its certainly not going to hurt anything to put fresh fluid in it
Just because the book does not require it- does not mean its not required
Much like replacing the brake fluid every 3 years or every year

NOTE When doing the full lock to lock to bleed air from the system
Place cardboard under the wheels, This lessens the strain on all the steering parts
and wont scrub the tires into the pavement

SodaLuvr

I still think that waiting several days between a fluid "suck-n-fill" will give the fluid more time to circulate and possibly do some "cleaning."

Using a turkey baster to empty the reservoir does not introduce any air into the system anyway...at least not enough that would result in serious problems if you did not bleed the system.

For my GM, I just did a suck and fill and closed up the cap. Didn't even bother to bleed the system and it works fine.

01tl4tl

Soda

From the Mind of a former mechanic and service writer

By turning the wheels you cause the fluid to circulate under pressure and move through the entire system- every bit of it as you cycle the rack.
Its not about air- its about getting the maximum amount of fluid to move.
Just look at the PS res at idle and you can tell fluid is moving, now turn the wheels...!!!
If you want to wait a few days in between- go ahead-
For Me- I want to change out as much of the old stuff at one time as possible- rather than driving with a mix of new and old
I just like to do the job and be done with it! Next car please~~

fsttyms1

I wold personally remove the lower return hose from the res and place it into a container, have some one start the car and slowly turn it all the way left then all the way right. do that until no more fluid comes out. Then i would reconnect the line and fill the res back to the top with Honda fluid. slowly turn the wheel left and right again to bleed the system. topping off as necessary.

SodaLuvr

I agree, some people just want it done all at once. I just don't have the time so I do a little at a time. It's almost as effective...

01tl4tl

That guy Fsttyms lol

Always wanting to do the things the really right way!

bangumandoo

so.......... we dont have to do it? but if we did thats how we would do it? how often do we not have to do it

01tl4tl

I would -not- do it at the same time as changing the brake fluid- about every 3 years for "normal" conditions and 1 year for "on earth"

Overkill? Probably the 3 years is fine- depends again on if you wash your engine or live in high humidity or other moisture producing things
Get it wet, get it out- always a good plan

fsttyms1

Did some one say washed engine??

I washed my engine
http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery...1913&pid=39888

red00tl

Speaking of turkey basters, I tried to suck PS fluid with one but the diameter of the centre opening (capped by a red plastic cap) of the reservoir was too small for my baster.

I briefly tried to remove the grey plastic reservoir top itself, but I wasn't sure it was supposed to come off or no.

So my question is: to suck out PS fluid with a turkey baster, is it possible to remove the grey top or should I find a baster thin enough to go through the centre opening of the reservoir?

Many thanks.

01tl4tl

If the cap on your PS res does not have arrows on the edge with on- off
marked to remove it, then I would add a small length of tubing to the end of the baster
Instant thin baster!

ChrisQ1980

LOL, that looked like fun.

pavan87

When I changed my power steering fluid, I used the pump from a bottle of handsoap. It worked great with no mess.

red00tl

Thanks for the replies.

I was actually looking at a body lotion bottle when I read this.

Those pumps in body lotion bottles seem to be the tallest and have the largest pump capacity.

Let me try one and I'll report back.

fsttyms1

If you had followed my instructions on page 2 it would be MUCH easier than trying to use a turkey baster which isnt a good way to do it..
Take the lower rubber hose off the reservoir and drain it all out by pulling that off. Then have some one start the car and slowly turn the wheel all the way to the left then right. When it stops coming out shut it off and reattach the hose. then fill it up and and have some one start the car turning the wheel left and right slowly again to get all air out of system, adding fluid as necessary

red00tl

That bottle pump worked really well.

I managed to remove the old PS fluid into a small water bottle with zero problem and no mess.

The old fluid was extremely dark brown whereas the new PS fluid was clear.
I've heard that the dark colour didn't necessarily mean anything bad, it nonetheless feels good to replace some of that.

I did read through your instruction and I appreciate your help, fsttyms1.
I will do it your way the next time as I get more familiar with working on my car.

fsttyms1

Its the best way (and the factory service manual) say to do it that way to remove all old fluid.