Should I drain the power steering fluid?

mouseskowitz · Post by **mouseskowitz** » 19 Jun 2013, 08:18

This is driving my nuts. I have a 2002 V70 that seems to have ATF in the power steering system as the owners manual states. However, it seems that is a misprint and it should be CHF-11S. So, is it worth trying to drain and replace it, and if so how do you do that? The dealer is pretty much saying that it should have synthetic in there but you can use whatever.
I've only had the car a couple of weeks, so I have no idea how long the fluid has been in there. I'd love to find the idiot that put the wrong stuff in there and knock some sense into him. Am I right in understanding that the issue between the two fluids is that ATF doesn't play nice with cold temps and causes the rack to leak? I live in Chicago now and plan move north after school, so this car will see subzero temps.

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Jun 2013, 09:10

We have our two cars right out of the showroom, now twelve and seventeen respectfully. Only recently I have started to take care of these myself.

I am doing all the work, taking ownership of ALL. It doesn't matter what it says on past service receipt, dealership or FAS, much of it was made up anyway.

I say to you, take ownership, forget what was before.
Keep notes of what you do. See this SYNTHETIC CHF 202 SPEC - power-steering-fluid

benrk · Post by **benrk** » 19 Jun 2013, 11:19

I haven't looked into PS fluid yet, don't even have a manual for the car, but given how allergic these cars react to other standard US-spec budget fluids, I wouldn't take any risks & fill the OEM recommended fluid.

Greetz, Ben

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Jun 2013, 12:04

mouseskowitz wrote:... and if so how do you do that?
...

Search the forum, there is a post by MVS maverick MadeInJapan with pertinent input from many notables.
I would.

Post by **xHeart** » 19 Jun 2013, 12:09

See it here https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8644&start=14

mouseskowitz · Post by **mouseskowitz** » 19 Jun 2013, 22:26

Thanks for the link, I'll read up on it tomorrow. I've pretty much decided that all fluids are getting changed since I don't trust what's in there. Just had the PCV serviced and it really needed it, completely clogged. Now I can really hear the turbo and it scared the crap out of me the first time. Also put a new fuel filter in. Both of those were supposed to have been done 15k ago. The brake fluid that came out was pretty much black and probably hadn't been done for 90k. The front brakes will need to be done before the end of the year, but other than that my mechanic said the car is solid. So, I'm pretty happy with my new ride.

tigmaned · Post by **tigmaned** » 20 Jun 2013, 06:04

your 2002 manual reads the same as my 2004 manual..

Power steering fluid:
The fluid level should always be between the MIN and MAX marks.
Fluid type: ATF
Replace: No fluid change required

back when i got my 04 v70 with 85K, and it never looked to have ATF in the power steering before? she has 181K now, i have since did a drain and filled with actual power steering fluid...
if i am going to wreck my p/s this way should i put some kind of ATF in?? and if so which type...
Or go with CHF202 to be safe...

Post by **xHeart** » 20 Jun 2013, 07:23

One power steering gear specialist pointed to me that the water vapor is enemy #1. It would corrode the shaft, hence the boot clamps must fit perfectly and tightly.

Complete flush, repeat, and proper bleed procedure would extend the life of the steering gear few more years if there is a vapor buildup.

There are instances where condensation may occur. One observation was, do not open the steering reservoir cap ever, it is supposed to remain air-tight. But if you do, it should be for flush, bleed, and cap back on tightly till the next time.

What would specialist say to: I love to take various caps off and on for therapy. Lol.

mouseskowitz · Post by **mouseskowitz** » 20 Jun 2013, 09:59

tigmaned wrote: if i am going to wreck my p/s this way should i put some kind of ATF in?? and if so which type...
Or go with CHF202 to be safe...

I confirmed with the dealer, as many others have, that the fluid should be synthetic, i.e. not ATF. They said you can use ATF, but it's not the right stuff. CHF-11S and CHF-202 are synthetic and the right stuff. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems that 202 is the updated version of 11S. So, my thought is at the moment is to use whichever of the two I can find the cheapest.

tigmaned · Post by **tigmaned** » 20 Jun 2013, 10:08

went to the napa right off base and they had the CHF202. so i did a drain and fill. will do one again in a day or so to get more of the plain jane p/s fluid i put it on wednesday.