Power Steering Fluid?

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 14 Oct 2019, 10:28

I need verification for refilling my power steering reservoir that has a leak that has been bad enough that it is bone dry. My car manual says that it takes the same fluid (3309) as my ATF fluid. Can anyone verify that this ATF fluid should be used in the power steering reservoir?

Post by **June** » 14 Oct 2019, 10:53

It likely had the green Volvo power steering fluid originally. June

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 14 Oct 2019, 11:03

June, thanks for your response. I should have done this first but I just called my local Volvo dealer and they gave me this part number (#30741424) as the correct fluid to fill up with. This looks to be the "blue-green" stuff you mentioned.

Post by **oragex** » 14 Oct 2019, 11:59

There has been some debate on this, my take is Volvo did a mistake both in the manual and on early reservoir caps that were calling for transmission fluid. In both early SMI and later ZF racks, I would only use the green looking Pentosin

I believe VW dealers also sell a rebranded Pentosin bottle which may be more affordable.

The 11s is the older formulation of the fluid, while the 202 is the later one. Very little differences but a 202 may be more 'fresh' off the shelves
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/hydrau ... 1s-1-liter
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/hydrau ... 02-1-liter

Mr. Detail · Post by **Mr. Detail** » 15 Oct 2019, 05:41

Just a follow up from yesterday on this topic. I went out to my car last night with an extended "Q-Tip" and when I dipped it in the PS reservoir and pulled it out I was surprised to see a "honey brown" colored fluid. Can the blue-green fluid turn this color if it is too old? Now I wonder if I have to drain the whole system and start over.

Post by **oragex** » 15 Oct 2019, 08:23

I've seen your color a few times at the junk yard cars. It is not the Pentosin, not does it look like a 3309 Atf