Power steering flush/transmission fluid
07-12-2004, 07:32 AM
#1
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
Power steering flush/transmission fluid
After reading the unfortunate situation cjden20thae has found himself in after cleaning his air filter out with water and replacing it in the airbox (see today's 5th Gen thread) I thought I would fess up to my own stupid move of the year. A mechanical wizard I am not. In fact, a talented mechanically-inclined friend of mine suggests I leave the hood of my car closed henceforth, lol!
In early May, I had an urge to top up my brake fluid and clutch fluid reservoir. Without thinking I topped up my power steering fluid reservoir with brake fluid. Thankfully, I didn't put power steering fluid (which I had none of) in my brake fluid reservoir or I would have been hooped. After about a week and only say 100 miles I realized what I had done. So I phoned around to about 5 stealerships and 3 local shops to get their opinion on what I should do. One Nissan dealership put the fear of God in me and told me not to drive the car anymore, to get it towed in and replaced immediately because I would ruin my steering rack. A couple of dealerships told me to get it flushed and I believe one said not to worry about it. Two of the independent shops said that for one or two ounces of brake fluid in the power steering reservoir I needn't worry about it.
To be safe I took the car to the one independent shop who suggested I get the power steering reservoir flushed and I had it flushed. I found I had filled it too high in the first place and similarly had filled the brake fluid reservoir too high, so they took some out.
I guess I could have used a turkey baster and taken as much of the power steering fluild out as I could and replaced it.
So this leaves me to my question: If I had just had some fluid removed from the power steering reservoir (and brake reservoir while I was at it) would I have been ok. Is it necessary to replace the power steering fluid periodically - if so, when - every 60,000 miles?
How frequently should the transmission fluid be changed on a 5-speed? My car is a 95SE with 53,300 miles on it and it has never been changed. I've been told not to bother changing it as my car shifts fine, but I am considering switching to synthetic gear oil at 60,000 miles and if I do what is the change frequency, if at all, then?
Thanks
In early May, I had an urge to top up my brake fluid and clutch fluid reservoir. Without thinking I topped up my power steering fluid reservoir with brake fluid. Thankfully, I didn't put power steering fluid (which I had none of) in my brake fluid reservoir or I would have been hooped. After about a week and only say 100 miles I realized what I had done. So I phoned around to about 5 stealerships and 3 local shops to get their opinion on what I should do. One Nissan dealership put the fear of God in me and told me not to drive the car anymore, to get it towed in and replaced immediately because I would ruin my steering rack. A couple of dealerships told me to get it flushed and I believe one said not to worry about it. Two of the independent shops said that for one or two ounces of brake fluid in the power steering reservoir I needn't worry about it.
To be safe I took the car to the one independent shop who suggested I get the power steering reservoir flushed and I had it flushed. I found I had filled it too high in the first place and similarly had filled the brake fluid reservoir too high, so they took some out.
I guess I could have used a turkey baster and taken as much of the power steering fluild out as I could and replaced it.
So this leaves me to my question: If I had just had some fluid removed from the power steering reservoir (and brake reservoir while I was at it) would I have been ok. Is it necessary to replace the power steering fluid periodically - if so, when - every 60,000 miles?
How frequently should the transmission fluid be changed on a 5-speed? My car is a 95SE with 53,300 miles on it and it has never been changed. I've been told not to bother changing it as my car shifts fine, but I am considering switching to synthetic gear oil at 60,000 miles and if I do what is the change frequency, if at all, then?
Thanks
07-12-2004, 10:33 AM
#4
Auuugh...95SE with only 53K?!?!? Man...I'd love to find one like that for a project car.
BTW, after 3yrs my PS fluid looks burnt/nasty, so I bought Redline PS fluid and a cooler since I've seen it boil before and early 5th gens came with a PS cooler but no longer do. Still waiting to find energy to drain/flush/refil and install the cooler.
BTW, after 3yrs my PS fluid looks burnt/nasty, so I bought Redline PS fluid and a cooler since I've seen it boil before and early 5th gens came with a PS cooler but no longer do. Still waiting to find energy to drain/flush/refil and install the cooler.
07-12-2004, 11:37 AM
#5
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 6,190
My car is not for sale now or anytime soon and as far as I can tell from the .org is the lowest mileage 95 in North America. You can't have it!
I can see why you might want a cooler in AZ but I don't need one where I live.
Any comments on changing the transmission oil.
What about power steering oil intervals in more moderate climates?
I can see why you might want a cooler in AZ but I don't need one where I live.
Any comments on changing the transmission oil.
What about power steering oil intervals in more moderate climates?
07-12-2004, 11:46 AM
#6
There is no recommended interval for transmission fluid changes - especially for the 5spd. Personally, I think every 2yrs/30k for an auto and every 5yrs/60k is sufficient for a 5-spd. Everyone is likely to have a different opinion on this - so the the best answer is, keep your eye on the fluid level, texture, smell, color. If it looks/smells burnt/dirty, just get a fluid flush.
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