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How to flush Power Steering Pump

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

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MadeInJapan
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How to flush Power Steering Pump

Post by MadeInJapan »

Read first- Disclaimer: I am adding this- typicall cover our A$$ stuff: Neither myself, nor anyone else associated with this thread including Matt or MVS are responsible for Any Issue related to this flush. Do this at your own risk.

Evidently the Toyota Camry uses about the same pump as a Volvo does as well as same type of fluid. Someone over on VS posted this and I thought it was worth sharing. Sorry that the pictures are of a Camry. If someone wants to try this, take pictures and update this later, that would be nice!

First jack up the front end. Do this so you won't have to start the engine. Lifting the front end means you can simply turn the steering wheel and pump out the fluid.
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Next cover the surrounding areas with rags (old underware works great!).
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You can use a turkey baster or an old shampoo bottle to syphon the old ATF out of the reservoir. For illustration reasons, a shampoo plunger is shown:
Image
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Then, top off with fresh Dextron III ATF. Next comes the secret, the correct connectors. One to connect the return hose to a bucket.
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And the other to act like a plug to cap off the reservoir inlet.
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So the connection looks something like this.
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Use a transparent plastic hose with internal diameter about 9mm and run it to a bucket.

After all the connections are in place simply turn the steering left and right. Fluid pumps out easily.
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Dont allow the fluid to drop too much in the reservoir. Cautiously top up quickly. Cos if air enters the PS system, you'll have to turn the wheels with the engine running to get the air out later and it makes a screaching noise...also I'm sure it's not good for the steering rack. Once you start the fluid flowing, you shouldn't have to turn the steering wheel any more, the fluid should just flow out by itself from the 'siphon effect'. Within a minute, fresh fluid should be coming out the return side. The PS system only has about 1L of fluid in it. The total amount of new fluid to use is only about 1.5L. More than that would be a waste. When finished, remove the connectors and reconnect the return hose to the reservoir. There will be some small spillage cos new fluid will be coming out the reservoir inlet. This is where the rags (or underwear) comes in handy. Covered the reservoir area very well cos you don't want it to get on the the belts. The amount that spills however will be very little. This entire process takes less than 30mins to do the DIY flush. This flush is as simple as doing an oil change. The connectors and hose cost about $5 at a hardware store. 1.5L or quarts of Dex III is also not very much.
Last edited by MadeInJapan on 04 Nov 2006, 10:02, edited 1 time in total.
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Volgrrr
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Post by Volgrrr »

Thanks for the well thought out and illustrated step-by-step procedure.

I don't know if my PS fluid needs changing, (as the vehicle is regularly serviced), but I'm going to do mine in the next couple of days just to assure myself I can do it.

Anyway, if me and the Volvo maintenance crew both change the fluid, I think it is better to have the fluid changed too often than not often enough.

The job should be relatively straight forward following your clear instructions.

Thanks once again - much appreciated.
There are only two types of car owners - those who own Volvos and those who wish they did.

MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

Thanks...
Matthew, if you see this can you put a link to this in the Repair Database!
Thanks, MIJ
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

CarVolvo
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Post by CarVolvo »

As usual MIJ you always come up with great information! Thank you!

One really important question you didnt answer....

do you wear your hanes underwear shown in the pics once you finish the procedure? Or does it cause a slick feel ? LOL
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MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

Hey now...some of us like that slick feel! :shock:
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

MadeInAmerica
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Post by MadeInAmerica »

Yea , That was me MIJ that posted on Volvospeed. :D Its good to have people know about it. Hey, keeping fluids as clean as possible is key to keeping your car healthy. :lol:

Cheers
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Post by Auburn T5 »

so how does one go about actually replacing a PS pump? Mine whines like a mad man when I turn the wheel :?
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MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

If it's making noise like that, it's probably not a pump but the actual rack... www.fcpgroton.com sells a good rebuilt rack with core exchange.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

hausmeister
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Post by hausmeister »

It also whines when there is air in the fluid...
I sometimes get a bit into it after sharp corners and high rpm but it goes away quick. In my experience its very sensitive on fluid level, to low and it sucks in air, to high and the fluid starts to foam...
Thats just my experience - i have the newer 'version' where the tank is seperated from the pump.
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MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

I personally like the newer version better...less expense if you're just changing the tank. Also be aware that sometimes the lid on these go bad and need changing...another source for them leaking and allowing air in (they do pressurize after all). A tip on keeping the fluid clean... I dangle a powerful magnet off the top of my lid inside to catch any debris. Whenever I do an oil change, I pull it out and wipe it clean...it seems to accumulate some small black stuff each time. I've also just sucked the PS fluid out with a turkey baster and then refill the same amount periodically without doing an entire flush.
'98 S70 T5 Emrld Grn Met/Beige Tons of Upgrades Mobil-1
'04 V70 2.5T Red/Taupe Some Upgrades Mobil-1
'07 S40 T5 AWD 6 speed manual! Silver/Black Stage1 Heico & Elevate
'07 S60 2.5T Blue/Taupe- my kid's Volvo

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