A-104: DIY-Power Steering Fluid Flush
#81
Senior Moderator
I just did the PS fluid change in my TL today this DIY was GREAT!
Just a few tips for you guys:
1. Wear gloves
2. Keep a whole roll of paper towels handy
3. Keep a good spray degreaser near you!
4. Get more than 2 feet of that 3/8inch piping, get like 5!
It took two whole bottles of the Honda PS fluid after draining out all the fluid from the TL to get it back up to the upper level!
Just a few tips for you guys:
1. Wear gloves
2. Keep a whole roll of paper towels handy
3. Keep a good spray degreaser near you!
4. Get more than 2 feet of that 3/8inch piping, get like 5!
It took two whole bottles of the Honda PS fluid after draining out all the fluid from the TL to get it back up to the upper level!
#82
#83
Going to replace the O-Ring soon as it is starting to whine a little bit. I will also drain and replace the fluid as well. Would you all recommend changing the hose as well? There is no leak yet. I was just thinking preventative maint. Or should I leave it alone for now? If it's not broke don't fix it, kind of deal.
#84
Going to replace the O-Ring soon as it is starting to whine a little bit. I will also drain and replace the fluid as well. Would you all recommend changing the hose as well? There is no leak yet. I was just thinking preventative maint. Or should I leave it alone for now? If it's not broke don't fix it, kind of deal.
#86
Intermediate
Was the O-ring a part of the power steering recall? I just recently did the o-ring and it was still the old black one on mine. I had the recall done about 2 years ago. Nice write-up on the fluid change I will do this in the next few days.
#87
I did what I hate cars mentioned and just drained the reservoir and then filled that. With 2 bottles of Honda PSF I drained and filled it 3 times. It is slightly lighter color than it was before. Steering seems roughly the same. It may be just a bit lighter feeling. I may get another bottle and drain it once or twice again. The car isn't quite 4 years-old with 18k miles on it so maybe it wasn't old enough to really feel that much of a difference.
#88
Team Owner
I did what I hate cars mentioned and just drained the reservoir and then filled that. With 2 bottles of Honda PSF I drained and filled it 3 times. It is slightly lighter color than it was before. Steering seems roughly the same. It may be just a bit lighter feeling. I may get another bottle and drain it once or twice again. The car isn't quite 4 years-old with 18k miles on it so maybe it wasn't old enough to really feel that much of a difference.
#90
Race Director
#92
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
If Amsoil doesn't meet spec, then I don't think anyone does. Better stick with Honda PSF.
#93
Racer
iTrader: (1)
Interesting timing - I heard a whine yesterday and realized I was low on PS fluid, likely from a leak in the o-ring (which will get replaced this weekend). Right now, on the front page, there are three threads about power steering fluid...methinks the cold weather is causing shrinkage across all sorts of places.
#94
Race Director
Interesting timing - I heard a whine yesterday and realized I was low on PS fluid, likely from a leak in the o-ring (which will get replaced this weekend). Right now, on the front page, there are three threads about power steering fluid...methinks the cold weather is causing shrinkage across all sorts of places.
#96
Advanced
I just did my first PS flush using the directions here. Thanks OP...it was pretty easy
BTW, I used a 3/8 outer diameter tube bought at Home Depot and it fit perfectly inside of the return hose. I put the clamp on after inserting the tube and not a single drop of fluid dripped at the connection.
BTW, I used a 3/8 outer diameter tube bought at Home Depot and it fit perfectly inside of the return hose. I put the clamp on after inserting the tube and not a single drop of fluid dripped at the connection.
#97
Team Owner
Redline high temp ATF works well. I've been meaning to update the thread I started on the ATF in the power steering. It has to be close to 6 months by now. I've still got a pint of Amsoil that has Honda listed on the bottle if anyone wants it.
The following users liked this post:
Majofo (07-18-2013)
#98
The dealer where I bought the car from changed the PS pump because they said it was whining. Anyways, I'm not sure, and doubt, they changed the PSF wen they did the replacement. Should be doing this some time this week, along with the ATF and brake bleed, should be fun messing with the fluids
#99
Advanced
i could be wrong, but i think it would be hard to replace the PS Pump and not change the fluid. you would have to make sure you pumped all the fluid out into a clean container just to re-funnel it back in after the change.
Also, many TL's are known to have a bad o ring that can cause a whine, mine had it. it started by only whining when the motor was cold in the morning. the dealership wanted a ridic amount. i also HAD to replace the fluid just to change the o ring, let alone having to replace the entire pump. i bought the o ring for less then a dollar and purchased Honda PS fluid and did it myself.
it doesnt hurt to ask them, if its typical for them to use new fluid when they replace pumps/o rings.
Also, many TL's are known to have a bad o ring that can cause a whine, mine had it. it started by only whining when the motor was cold in the morning. the dealership wanted a ridic amount. i also HAD to replace the fluid just to change the o ring, let alone having to replace the entire pump. i bought the o ring for less then a dollar and purchased Honda PS fluid and did it myself.
it doesnt hurt to ask them, if its typical for them to use new fluid when they replace pumps/o rings.
#100
King of NYC
iTrader: (6)
I did the flush about 5 months ago. It didn't completely kill the whine though but made it better. I wonder if I crushed that rubber washer with too much torque? Oh well. One thing is for sure, the fluid was OLD. Amsoil made that steering as smooth as butter! What a difference. Thanks for the writeup libert69!
#101
Race Director
iTrader: (1)
^Holy hell where have you been man? Lol
#102
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Yeah, I read sometime after that post. Good to know.
#103
My PS just started whining last week but only in the mornings when the engine is completely cold, i already bought the o-ring and thinking about changing the fluid. Do you guys think this will get rid of my cold start PS whine? The noise really sounds horrible specially when i turn the steering wheel while the engine is cold, i was a bit surprised because just a couple weeks ago the PS was quiet as can be at all times.
#104
Team Owner
The fact that it makes the noise when cold and goes away when hot points directly to the O-ring or something on the inlet side of the pump. It literally takes 2 minutes at most to replace.
#107
Intermediate
A member here said that Amsoil no longer meets Honda PSF specs... Is the same true for Redline? Oddly enough a qt of RL (32oz) is only $11.49 but Honda's OEM stuff (12oz) is $6.59 on Amazon
#108
Senior Moderator
Stick with the Honda Fluid, you can pick it up from you local dealer for a great price.
#110
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
ID
if needed
if needed
#111
Team Owner
I think I'm going to add a cooler for the PSF. It's completely useless now that I'm using a synthetic ATF but I have an extra small stacked plate cooler and extra 3/8" hose. I'll just remove the loop in front of the radiator and stick a cooler in there. Should take under 30 minutes.
#112
Race Director
That is the most certain way, but there are several aftermarket fluids that are manufactured to Honda PSF specs and are perfectly acceptable.
Last edited by nfnsquared; 03-29-2014 at 09:44 AM.
#113
Team Owner
Amsoil never met Honda PSF specs. Neither does Redline PSF. Neither of them comes close to the Honda spec for viscosity (11.4). Amsoil is/was ~7.4 and Redline is even lower at 6.47.
That is the most certain way, but there are several aftermarket fluids that are manufactured to Honda PSF specs and are perfectly acceptable.
That is the most certain way, but there are several aftermarket fluids that are manufactured to Honda PSF specs and are perfectly acceptable.
My current Redline high temp ATF is very close to the Honda viscosity spec. I haven't run Honda fluid in the PS system for 6 years and 100,000 miles. I used Amsoil's thinner fluid for a long time and now I use Redline ATF. No leaks, no problems, no reason to use the factory fluid.
I could understand someone being concerned about seal compatibility and leaks but viscosity? Not a problem.
You could pay $3-$6 a pint for a pint of Honda fluid which is mediocre at best or $10 for a gallon of a bad ass ester fluid.
I'll let the world know once I have a failure or a leak on a non approved fluid but with every fluid except for the coolant being switched to a non approved since the car was 3 months to 2yrs old I don't think I'm going to have any issues.
#114
Race Director
And Amsoil was taking liberties when they did that. They may have had consumer complaints, or became worried about liability, or got called out by Honda, or some or all of the above.
I'm kind of interested in the new Champion synthetic PSF. Viscosity is up there at 12.6. (They have the viscosities backwards on the spec sheet, how embarassing!):
http://championbrands.com/SpecSheet/4186K.pdf
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9139668.htm
The bottle says "Specially formulated for Honda and Acura power steering systems, including 2007 and newer makes/models..."
I have no idea what they are talking about in that statement. I am unaware of any major changes in Honda/Acura PS systems beginning in 2007....
I'm kind of interested in the new Champion synthetic PSF. Viscosity is up there at 12.6. (They have the viscosities backwards on the spec sheet, how embarassing!):
http://championbrands.com/SpecSheet/4186K.pdf
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9139668.htm
The bottle says "Specially formulated for Honda and Acura power steering systems, including 2007 and newer makes/models..."
I have no idea what they are talking about in that statement. I am unaware of any major changes in Honda/Acura PS systems beginning in 2007....
Last edited by nfnsquared; 03-29-2014 at 08:02 PM.
#115
Team Owner
I was a little surprised Amsoil recommended it too, considering a pretty large viscosity difference. It seems like I remember them lowering the viscosity slightly more when they stopped recommending Honda.
#117
Instructor
Wal-Mart carries two Prestones: Asian full synthetic (about $6.80/12 fl.oz.) and Honda/Acura PSF (about $2.80/12 fl.oz.): http://prestone.com/products/car_car...s/product_list The OEM fluid is $9 for the same size, yikes.
I assume that you can use the Asian in place of the Honda/Acura. Any other comments on these two?
Since my fluid was nasty, I bought the cheaper one to flush the old stuff out, then will replace that with the synthetic.
I assume that you can use the Asian in place of the Honda/Acura. Any other comments on these two?
Since my fluid was nasty, I bought the cheaper one to flush the old stuff out, then will replace that with the synthetic.
#118
Make it so
Just some clarification:
when the OP posted that you need 3/8" hose, please keep in mind that it doesn't specify inside or outside dimensions.
I went with inside 3/8" dimensions--which seemed correct--and I bought a 12-foot clear hose from Home Depot for something like $7. When I tried connecting it to the upper reservoir hose connection, it was way too tight, so I had to cut a notch in the drain hose (the one I bought) to try to jam it into the black one on the TL. It worked...kinda...and using the duct tape to keep them together made for a tight seal, so it worked.
Just keep that in mind as you do this.
I ended up getting three bottles of PS fluid, and I used 2 3/4 bottles in my case because I pumped the whole thing clean out. Very little of the old PS fluid left, which I was happy to do, and I'm glad I got the third bottle. 6-7 turns end to end of my wheels while it was running and I was able to get basically everything out.
Thanks again to the OP for a great, simple write-up! I was able to do this completely by myself and it was a snap to do
when the OP posted that you need 3/8" hose, please keep in mind that it doesn't specify inside or outside dimensions.
I went with inside 3/8" dimensions--which seemed correct--and I bought a 12-foot clear hose from Home Depot for something like $7. When I tried connecting it to the upper reservoir hose connection, it was way too tight, so I had to cut a notch in the drain hose (the one I bought) to try to jam it into the black one on the TL. It worked...kinda...and using the duct tape to keep them together made for a tight seal, so it worked.
Just keep that in mind as you do this.
I ended up getting three bottles of PS fluid, and I used 2 3/4 bottles in my case because I pumped the whole thing clean out. Very little of the old PS fluid left, which I was happy to do, and I'm glad I got the third bottle. 6-7 turns end to end of my wheels while it was running and I was able to get basically everything out.
Thanks again to the OP for a great, simple write-up! I was able to do this completely by myself and it was a snap to do
#119
Drifting
I deviated from the directions somewhat. Instead of disconnecting the tubes and pushing out all the fluid and getting air into the system, I merely evacated/Siphoned out only the resorvior with a typical pump spray bottle (like 409), and then put back OEM Honda Fluid! It works great! We do this with our transmission fluid... and it also works great for brake fluid and power steering. It all gets circulated because that is why the fluid gets dark in the master cylinder reservoir and the PS reservoir. And both P.S. fluid and brake fluid is cheap. So, just repeat this process a few times and you don't get dirty and the process is easier and faster and painless!! (almost fun) No wrenches and a buddy not needed.... Just move along! EVAC and REFILL. Boom DONE! Don't sweat the small stuff!
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Last edited by Chad05TL; 05-26-2014 at 05:54 PM.
#120
Team Owner
I deviated from the directions somewhat. Instead of disconnecting the tubes and pushing out all the fluid and getting air into the system, I merely evacated/Siphoned out only the resorvior with a typical pump spray bottle (like 409), and then put back OEM Honda Fluid! It works great! We do this with our transmission fluid... and it also works great for brake fluid and power steering. It all gets circulated because that is why the fluid gets dark in the master cylinder reservoir and the PS reservoir. And both P.S. fluid and brake fluid is cheap. So, just repeat this process a few times and you don't get dirty and the process is easier and faster and painless!! (almost fun) No wrenches and a buddy not needed.... Just move along! EVAC and REFILL. Boom DONE! Don't sweat the small stuff!
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