Bleeding PS System(fluid)
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
Bleeding PS System(fluid)
i have been running PSF in my ATF system for a long time now, and on top of that, the system is overfilled. anyway, i searched in the FSM, and in basic automotive text books, and nowhere have I seen how to actually bleed the "fluid" out of the system. only air is explained on how to be bled. i've actually seen this procedure in the stickies, but it was hard to understand, and it wasn't on a 3rd gen maxima. what would be the best way for me to approach this issue on a maxima like mine? i wanna get the PSF out, and get in fresh ATF to a proper level. thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 132
I found a similar suctioning device at pepboys. It looks like a oversize syringed kinda like the things u inject marinade into a turkey. It has a small plastic extension which acutally sucks all of the fluid out of the reservior.
Originally Posted by Joe Fontinyatz
great, thanks. someone also told me I can disconnect the hose running from the power steering pump and just let it bleed out, but it has 1000 lbs or so of pressure. would that be an option too?
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
thanks for all the feedback guys. im a bit confused about why i need to repeat the process over a 4 week or so period. shouldn't one time be enough?
the problem is, as stated before, i have PSF in, and would like to get it out and stuff ATF in. then i would be mixing and 'not' matching if you know what i mean.
the problem is, as stated before, i have PSF in, and would like to get it out and stuff ATF in. then i would be mixing and 'not' matching if you know what i mean.
Originally Posted by Joe Fontinyatz
thanks for all the feedback guys. im a bit confused about why i need to repeat the process over a 4 week or so period. shouldn't one time be enough?
the problem is, as stated before, i have PSF in, and would like to get it out and stuff ATF in. then i would be mixing and 'not' matching if you know what i mean.
the problem is, as stated before, i have PSF in, and would like to get it out and stuff ATF in. then i would be mixing and 'not' matching if you know what i mean.
I'm very confused. Are you talking about replacing the fluid in your power steering system, or transmission??
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
I'm very confused. Are you talking about replacing the fluid in your power steering system, or transmission??
my problem is that i have power steering fluid in my power steering resevoir/system, and obviosly as you may know, our cars require automatic transmission fluid.
in the FSM it only says how to bleed the air out of the power steering system, not the fluid. neither does it explain the procedure in my automotive text book.
someone told me to disconnect the hose from the steering pump and let it bleed, but seems there are easier ways of going about it since the power steering system contains 1000lbs of pressure or so.
edit: ok, i see where it was a bit confusing in the first sentance, but still makes sense.
Originally Posted by Joe Fontinyatz
uumm, i dont mean to sound like an as$, but isn't the title enough?
my problem is that i have power steering fluid in my power steering resevoir/system, and obviosly as you may know, our cars require automatic transmission fluid.
in the FSM it only says how to bleed the air out of the power steering system, not the fluid. neither does it explain the procedure in my automotive text book.
someone told me to disconnect the hose from the steering pump and let it bleed, but seems there are easier ways of going about it since the power steering system contains 1000lbs of pressure or so.
edit: ok, i see where it was a bit confusing in the first sentance, but still makes sense.
my problem is that i have power steering fluid in my power steering resevoir/system, and obviosly as you may know, our cars require automatic transmission fluid.
in the FSM it only says how to bleed the air out of the power steering system, not the fluid. neither does it explain the procedure in my automotive text book.
someone told me to disconnect the hose from the steering pump and let it bleed, but seems there are easier ways of going about it since the power steering system contains 1000lbs of pressure or so.
edit: ok, i see where it was a bit confusing in the first sentance, but still makes sense.
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
You realize that power steering fluid and ATF are the same thing, right?
If they were the same thing, could you operate a tranny with PSF?
And if they were the same thing, then why do so many people say not to use PSF in our systems? I've seen 3rd gen guys tell members not to use it in previose threads many times.
Please explain what you mean.
Originally Posted by Jeff92SE
I believe there is PS fluid only. Just so happens that nissans chooses to use atf as their ps fluid.
Originally Posted by Joe Fontinyatz
So how did you get confused in my description, if they are the same thing?
If they were the same thing, could you operate a tranny with PSF?
And if they were the same thing, then why do so many people say not to use PSF in our systems? I've seen 3rd gen guys tell members not to use it in previose threads many times.
Please explain what you mean.
If they were the same thing, could you operate a tranny with PSF?
And if they were the same thing, then why do so many people say not to use PSF in our systems? I've seen 3rd gen guys tell members not to use it in previose threads many times.
Please explain what you mean.
Originally Posted by Joe Fontinyatz
i have been running PSF in my ATF system for a long time now, and on top of that, the system is overfilled.
Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
You realize that power steering fluid and ATF are the same thing, right?
no they are not. PS fluid isnt used much anymore but it used to be, because ATF's use hyroulics there fluid is good for PS.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...;f=24;t=001539
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...;f=45;t=000107
Let me know how it works...
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
This sentence implies that you want to get PSF out of your AT. That is where I got confused. I have always been under the impression that PS fluid is nothing more than low-grade ATF, and so while you wouldn't want to use it in your AT, ATF can be used in the PS system. Since you aren't concerned about the fluid in your AT, you already have the answers to your questions in the previous responses, so I'll bow out now.
1)In the first sentance of the thread I said "i have been running PSF in my ATF system for a long time now." Technically, an ATF(automatic transmission fluid) system can be found in the transmission, or the power steering system. Since in the FSM it IS stated that the power steering system uses ATF as it's fluid of choice, it can still be considered an ATF system, correct? The sentance can mean two things, but if you read the title, there would be no need for confusion, IMO.
Originally Posted by Mizeree_X
I have always been under the impression that PS fluid is nothing more than low-grade ATF, and so while you wouldn't want to use it in your AT, ATF can be used in the PS system
Originally Posted by kcryan
no they are not. PS fluid isnt used much anymore but it used to be, because ATF's use hyroulics there fluid is good for PS.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi...c;f=24;t=001539
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi...c;f=45;t=000107
Let me know how it works...
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi...c;f=24;t=001539
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi...c;f=45;t=000107
Let me know how it works...
hmm lets try this linK again Read this and then click the attached link in it.
And yea i ment PSF but you got the point
And yea i ment PSF but you got the point
Thread Starter
I miss my VE
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,553
From: NY
Originally Posted by kcryan
hmm lets try this linK again Read this and then click the attached link in it.
And yea i ment PSF but you got the point
And yea i ment PSF but you got the point
I did a PS flush/Amsoil synthetic ATF switch on my newest Pontiac Vibe today. In the past, I used to disconnect the return line and run the engine to pump the fluid through the system. It worked OK but the PS pump was never very happy during and after the flush. If your car/truck has a remote mounted PS resevoir then it's easy. Here's the steps:
-jack up the front so the wheels are off the ground.
-locate the PS return line and disconnect it from the resevoir. It'll be the smaller of the 2 lines. Have a cup ready to catch the fluid that drains out of the resevoir.
-after the resevoir is empty, plug the return port with something: a bolt, a plastic cap, some plastic and an elastic band, use your imagination.
-then attach a ~3/8" extension hose to the return line. My return line was steel with a small section or rubber attaching it to the resevoir so I removed the rubber section and attached the extension hose directly to the steel. If your return line is all rubber, use a barbed connecter. Have rags handy because a little oil is going to leak out.
-place the other end of the extension hose in a drain pan.
-refill the resevoir with fresh fluid
-turn on the key to unlock the steering wheel and begin turning the wheels lock to lock while monitoring the level in the resevoir. You don't want to let it go dry and suck air into the system. If you have someone help you, they can pour in new fluid while you're turning the wheels.
-continue turning the wheels and flush through as much fluid as you like. 1 quart should be enough, maybe 2 if your old fluid was very dirty.
-re-connect the return line, top up the resevoir, start the engine, cycle the wheels a few more times and recheck the level.
If your return line is not easily accessible you'll have to do some searching for a good place to disconnect it. There will usually be a joint somewhere that you can use.
Turning the pump by hand may work although I don't know if the pump will work at such low speeds.
-jack up the front so the wheels are off the ground.
-locate the PS return line and disconnect it from the resevoir. It'll be the smaller of the 2 lines. Have a cup ready to catch the fluid that drains out of the resevoir.
-after the resevoir is empty, plug the return port with something: a bolt, a plastic cap, some plastic and an elastic band, use your imagination.
-then attach a ~3/8" extension hose to the return line. My return line was steel with a small section or rubber attaching it to the resevoir so I removed the rubber section and attached the extension hose directly to the steel. If your return line is all rubber, use a barbed connecter. Have rags handy because a little oil is going to leak out.
-place the other end of the extension hose in a drain pan.
-refill the resevoir with fresh fluid
-turn on the key to unlock the steering wheel and begin turning the wheels lock to lock while monitoring the level in the resevoir. You don't want to let it go dry and suck air into the system. If you have someone help you, they can pour in new fluid while you're turning the wheels.
-continue turning the wheels and flush through as much fluid as you like. 1 quart should be enough, maybe 2 if your old fluid was very dirty.
-re-connect the return line, top up the resevoir, start the engine, cycle the wheels a few more times and recheck the level.
If your return line is not easily accessible you'll have to do some searching for a good place to disconnect it. There will usually be a joint somewhere that you can use.
Turning the pump by hand may work although I don't know if the pump will work at such low speeds.
There you go
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