98 v70: odd power steering issue Topic is solved

[CIK7]

On the older P80's 98 and older, ATF is the correct fluid for the system with the older power steering pump. There are differences in ATF though so if the PO just used any ATF it may not be the correct one.

Some use Synthetic Mobil 1 ATF, Dexron III/Mercon is the correct type.

Neil.

As posted/recommended by other members, 2 months ago I picked up 4qts of Valvoline FullSyn MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF. Thats what I put in the system. However see below for a major update!

[CIK7]

The update is: I was a dumb dumb. So the PO did admit he put in a cheap replacement rack. But I was the one to cause part of the ps issue. When I replaced the wrong fluid with Valvoline, I forgot to bleed the system of air. That made the tough cold-start turning worse. Yesterday, I spent a good bit in three intervals with ps cap off just turning wheel back and forth. That dramatically improved the cold steering issue. There is still a little bit of air in system so there is the slightest tough cold-start turning. A little more bleeding air to go!

Abscate, Ill itch your humor spot: I didnt know air could bleed! HA!

[abscate]

My T5 took a week to get quiet on rack replacement. One way to speed it up, put the wheels up and turn lock to lock fairly quickly. One of the few times you can jack up without jack stands

[CIK7]

I jacked the car up. I tried bleeding the air lock to lock while off. That didnt work. I dont know why i expected it to. But even when i ran the engine, it still didnt bleed air. when i finally went a 1/3 mile to the bank, it whined as i turned into the parking lot. i popped the hood after the atm and saw bubbles in the fluid. so yeah i think i need to just run it while on the ground. that worked for me last time. good news is that there is very little resistance and not much air left (it seems).

[wizechatmgr]

I jacked the car up. I tried bleeding the air lock to lock while off. That didnt work. I dont know why i expected it to. But even when i ran the engine, it still didnt bleed air. when i finally went a 1/3 mile to the bank, it whined as i turned into the parking lot. i popped the hood after the atm and saw bubbles in the fluid. so yeah i think i need to just run it while on the ground. that worked for me last time. good news is that there is very little resistance and not much air left (it seems).

By chance, have you pressurized it gently (1-2 PSI) with air to check and verify that the suction hose isn't sucking air in?

[CIK7]

I jacked the car up. I tried bleeding the air lock to lock while off. That didnt work. I dont know why i expected it to. But even when i ran the engine, it still didnt bleed air. when i finally went a 1/3 mile to the bank, it whined as i turned into the parking lot. i popped the hood after the atm and saw bubbles in the fluid. so yeah i think i need to just run it while on the ground. that worked for me last time. good news is that there is very little resistance and not much air left (it seems).

By chance, have you pressurized it gently (1-2 PSI) with air to check and verify that the suction hose isn't sucking air in?

I have not. Need 2nd person for that, right?

[wizechatmgr]

I jacked the car up. I tried bleeding the air lock to lock while off. That didnt work. I dont know why i expected it to. But even when i ran the engine, it still didnt bleed air. when i finally went a 1/3 mile to the bank, it whined as i turned into the parking lot. i popped the hood after the atm and saw bubbles in the fluid. so yeah i think i need to just run it while on the ground. that worked for me last time. good news is that there is very little resistance and not much air left (it seems).

By chance, have you pressurized it gently (1-2 PSI) with air to check and verify that the suction hose isn't sucking air in?

I have not. Need 2nd person for that, right?

Sacrifice a cap or use one of those rubber cones, pressurize to 1-2 PSI and watch right around where the feed line is for the pump. If it starts leaking, you've found your problem. I had one that looked good but slowly became more of a sponge like material that would suck air in and leak... Suffice it to say it was a "certain" off-brand hose that I'll never use again...

[hausmeister]

Maybe not your problem here, but on my s70 there was a plastic part inside the reservoir (that routs fluid to the bottom), that is supposed to connect to a thin metal tube going through the fluid inlet. Mine became disconnected, causing the fluid to bubble und the pump to groan at times (though no issue with steering).The metal tube had backed out a bit for unknown reasons.
2 or 3 times I had to go fishing with a wire to reattach it - it was a pain. just make sure something silly like this this isn't causing the foaming.