S60 Power steering fluid leaking/noise

[XC70Rider]

My 2004 V70 2.5T with 110K has a very very slow PS leak. The hose is damp and underneath, there is some PS fluid/dirt collection etc.

I add roughly 1/2 cup once a year, so it is not so bad but I plan replacing the PS reservoir + Hose.

- For those of you with PS Reservoir leak, when did it happen (miles)?

- The Return Hose, it is $80!!! Has anyone tried using a generic Transmission Hose (from local auto parts store) and bend/mold it to fit?

PS-Hose.jpg

The 2007 XC70 with 121k miles I purchased last May had a PS leak. The pulley and pump was covered in oil. The return hose looks brand new with VOLVO stamped on it. Glad I didn't pay $80 for that hose!

The PS leak and PCV system were previously fixed but all crud was left behind.

[cn90]

In my E39 1998 BMW 528i, the PS return hose was leaking just at the bottom of the PS Reservoir.
I disconnected the PS Hose, removed about 1/2", then reconnected it.
Nice and dry for another 10 years!

I may do the same thing for my 2004 V70:
- Will remove 1/2" then reconnect, this way the "new" part of the hose bonds better with the PS Reservoir nipple.

[erikv11]

'Only' $80 genuine.. these are easy to get at the junk yard but usually leak at the pump, I just cut the last 1in off the hose as it deteriorates inside, and use genuine Volvo worm clamps (I use two side by side) www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnpxDqAAj6Y
These hose is different on the two types of reservoirs - on one the hose is at the top, the other one it goes at the bottom

Yes, as suggested previously, trimming the hose is the way to go here. Use quality clamps.

[cn90]

I just removed about 1/2" off of the rubber hose (I learned this from my 1998 BMW 528i as mentioned above).
So far bone-dry, even using the same clamps...
This is a good fix (cutting 1/2" off of the hose)...

V70-PS-Hose.jpg (225.44 KiB) Viewed 1406 times

[abscate]

Use Oetiker clamps ( OETTINGER In Iowa) instead of cheap hose clamps and they will seep less.

You can get them in the PEX plumbing department at your home supply store

[cn90]

My 2004 2.5T with 122K miles runs fine. The PS Pump is slightly noisy (maybe it is normal noise). Time for routine maintenance...

1. For those with PS pump failure, what were the symptoms and at what miles?

2. I just want to replace the PS fluid (Pentosin 202) the "lazy way", drain and fill similar to ATF flush.

- Plan is to simply use syringe and suck old fluid out + refill, run the engine (turning the SW R and L). Turn off engine and repeat.

- How many "drain + refill" cycles do I need to do?

[firstv70volvo]

My 2004 2.5T with 122K miles runs fine. The PS Pump is slightly noisy (maybe it is normal noise). Time for routine maintenance...

1. For those with PS pump failure, what were the symptoms and at what miles?

2. I just want to replace the PS fluid (Pentosin 202) the "lazy way", drain and fill similar to ATF flush.

- Plan is to simply use syringe and suck old fluid out + refill, run the engine (turning the SW R and L). Turn off engine and repeat.

- How many "drain + refill" cycles do I need to do?

Check the PS fluid while the engine is running for air bubbles, if the fluid is aerated the PS pump will make noise. If your car has the older design PS reservoir there's an internal tube that cracks and aerates the fluid.

Older design reservoir with return line on top.

30665496_1__ra_p.jpg (17.5 KiB) Viewed 1195 times

Internal tube that cracks

[cn90]

- My 2004 V70 with 122K: the PS reservoir was replaced with Genuine Volvo reservoir in 2019.
So the reservoir is basically new.

- From watching youtube and reading some threads (using the Steering Rack as the pump), changing PS Fluid is EXTREMELY easy! No need to do the whole thing as in the youtube posted above (by A1Auto): they used the technique with engine running for 2 sec, this is very stressful and if you let the reservoir run dry, you risk damaging the PS Pump.

Here are my EASY EASY tricks for solo person:

- My 2004 V70 takes Pentosin CHF202 aka 11S, about $15 at FCPEuro.
About $25/1L at Napa, but they had it on sales down to $22.
I was short on time so I donated $22 to Napa lol...

- No need to run engine. Leave engine OFF.

- The only hose you need to disconnect is the PS return hose (the small hose that goes on the top of the reservoir), and feed it into an empty bottle. Factory is Oetiker, look up online how to remove an Oetiker clamp: basically spread it a bit using a small pair of pliers. Replaced with regular clamp.

- I had a Tropicana 1.5L orange bottle that I rinsed an dried it.
Clear bottle allows you to see what is coming out.

- Turn the SW R and L, between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock. You will see old fluid running out.
You basically use the steering rack as a pump. After 3-4 times rocking the SW back and forth, the reservoir is dry.
Fill it with new Pentosin fluid. And repeat until GREEN fluid coming out.

- No need to worry about PS Pump running dry bc once you pour new fluid in, it fills the PS Pump very quickly.
If you have a helper then tell that person to watch the reservoir and keep it 1/2 full all the time.

- Reconnect the return hose, tighten the clamp snug and done. Make sure the reservoir is a bit more than half filled.

- Run the engine and turn SW full R and full L a few times to bleed the system.

- Turn engine OFF and check PS Fluid level.

PS: The old factory fluid is yellowish. New fluid is GREEN but from my experience with BMWs, after a while the Green color from Pentosin slowly goes away and you are back to yellow fluid.

The PS Pump whining noise is much improved now with new Pentosin fluid...

- Now that I discover how easy it is to replace PS Fluid, you can use the same technique for any other cars, from BMWs, to Toyotas to Hondas etc.


Forgot to take real-time photo, but here is the idea, place the Tropicana bottle on top of the engine, tape it so it does not fall sideways. Feed the return hose into the bottle. Easy!

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PS-Fluid.jpg (115.38 KiB) Viewed 1185 times