Vadim-93GXE

Hello, I got an oil change the other day. The guy that was changing my oil all of a sudden decided on his own that I was low on power steering fluid(i wasnt) and before I could stop him he overfilled my system with auto tranny fluid. I asked him why the hell he put ATF into my PS resovior and he said "Oh, you didn't know these cars use this?" Anyway to make a long story short, I actually heard that ATF is not good to use for unknown reasons but since I didn't know the reasons I had nothin to back my argument. The Autozone maintenance site says to use that, but I just always used PS fluid. But the fact that he overfilled the PS system really pissed me off. The level is above HOT when the engine is cold. Read on the Autozone maintenance site it can damage some seal or something like that if you overfill. What does that mean? Should I bleed the system? Or should I just drive around the way it is with a nice overfilled mixture of ATF and PSF? Thank you.

Phatsta

the problem remains whatever you overfill... you might blow not just one seal but several and it might cost you both time and money to have it fixed. If I were you I'd try to get some of the oil out. don't know if the atf is to worry about but I can't imagine so. I wouldn't worry about the mixture. don't take my words for it though, check with others to be certain. just get some of the oil out though, that's the first thing to do. try using a hose and suck it out or remove the hose/line underneath it to drain some.

«§»Craig B«§»

iTrader: (5)

Nissan recommends using ATF

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

If you've got PS fluid in it, then you need to dump the entire system, flush it out, and refill with fresh ATF.

All nissan power steering systems use ATF.
and having it overfilled by that small amount isn't hurting anything- it's just the can at the top that's got a bit more in it. it's not goign to blow any seals more than you've already got leaking.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

uhh...are you refering to the tranny instead of the ps?

Vadim-93GXE

Umm, I don't think I have any leaks. Do I?...
So why is it that Nissan doesn't use PS fluid?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

If you drive a nissan more than 4 years old, you WILL have a PS fluid leak somewhere.

I don't know why they don't use it, but they don't. Call them up and ask them.

Phatsta

hmm no..? at least I've learned it's no good idea to overfill no matter what it is. there's a reason for the 'min' and 'max' coz the oil has got to go somewhere when it gets hot and expands. maybe that doesn't apply to the power steering though..?

Vadim-93GXE

Well, havn't you ever wondered? Is there even a difference between the way PSF and ASF are made up except the color?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

I've wondered, but I'm sure they have a good reason and I don't bother with it. just one of those things they did different from a lot of other companies.. :shrug:

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

if you overfill the PS then all it does it make a huge mess in your engine compartment.

DanNY

iTrader: (14)

this is my take...

the PS system is basically a hydraulic system..the AT system is the same way. fluid quality of ATF is probably much better than a clear PS fluid. ATF also have a good deal of detergents in it to keep things cleaner.

if nissan designed the PS system to use ATF (rubber seals similar to the AT) then it's best to use ATF in the PS.

Phatsta

alright, my mistake

Vadim-93GXE

Thanks for the help guys. Just one last question for Matt.. So when the car gets old it has a leak somewhere no matter what? The level stayed the same for like 2 months. You sure?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

I'm not saying it's an absolute, but every Nissan I've seen made between 1986 and 1996 all have some small PS fluid leak, somewhere on the car.. not a big deal, but it's just messy, and it's on EVERY car I've seen.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

My old VE PS lines were bone dry. My newer one weeps. Haven't tried tightening them. Does that ever work?

blacks92seAuto

not a single drop of oil leaks anywhere on my car, and I have never had any PS service done.......if your right...then somebody had i done on my car at least 7 years ago because all of the parts show years of wear, but no leakage (knock on wood)

spyhunter84

dang i changed my pressure hose a i refilled with PS fluid and the pump whines when i turn the wheel do you think if i put ATF that will fix it? and if so how can i drain all the fluid?

blacks92seAuto

you might need to put more fluid in it.....sometimes when you turn the car on and the system starts working, the fluid will get sucked into...lets say the new hose you put in...causing it to be that much lower in level...just a thought...maybe its a loose belt?

spyhunter84

nope not a belt definetly something wrong with the pump b/c its the actual steering system sqeeling

mtcookson

iTrader: (2)

mine squeeled everytime i turned the wheel and it turned out to be a very loose belt (what was weird was my car not once over heated or showed any signs of the water pump not working) (the ps and water pump run on the same belt).

before buying anything just reach down and make sure the belt is tight. it definitely confused the hell out of me the first time and i bought a replacement power steering pump then come to find out i just had to tighten the belt.

blacks92seAuto

hmmmm could it be the power steering belt by any chance???? or am I a dumbass?

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

If your system is filled with PS fluid, it's very likely that it's making noise because of that, and that you damaged the system. drain it out, refill it with ATF, then drain that ATF out and refill again.....

then see if you still have the noise.

Minty91GXE

iTrader: (3)

i wish i had a psf leak... freaking gxe PS turns if you sneeze on the steering wheel

spyhunter84

no i am not being a dumb *** Im just saying b/c it happend the instant after i refilled with PS fluid, but i maybe wrong about the belt though it might be a little loose.

Vadim-93GXE

You have to be in great shape to turn my steering wheel. I use to drive around with no PS fluid for a long time when I had the pressure hose leaking. I guess I damaged the system and also, I always used PS fluid when I was suppose to be using AT fluid. Im thinking the the whole steering system is damaged, thats why its so hard to turn the wheel.

Matt93SE

iTrader: (44)

sounds like it to me. the PS fluid as possibly eaten away the plastic impellor on the power steering pump, so even if you do change the fluid, it may not work...

DARHAW-MAX

Wow. As much as I as looked through the FSM, I have to admit that I have just skimmed over the steering rack portion. Never in a million years would I have thought that the PS system uses ATF. Well, that could explain why I have a slight squeal sometimes (it is not a loose belt). However, the question still stands: how do you drain and refill the system? Also, when bleeding the system by turning the wheels back and fro, do you do this with the engine off or on? I imagine that if the engine is required to be off, the front wheels will need to be jacked up accordingly. Inputs?

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Doesn't the manual illustrate how to flush the ps system?

DARHAW-MAX

looking now.

DARHAW-MAX

Sure enough, the FSM states to use ATF. However, the question still remains about how to drain and refill. I just looked through the entire steering section ST-1 through ST-27. Nowhere in there does it mention how to drain the system. If I am missing it, please point it out to me.