Late P80 power steering fluid - Not listed on parts sites? Topic is solved

[Oro]

Turns out that the 202 is compatible with the olde CF11S. My mechanic buddy sent me a note on it. So I already have a liter I bought by 'accident' of 202 recently. So that will work just fine. Also Volvo of Toronto are not allowed to ship fluids like this so I would be at the mercy of the local dealer pricing.............!!

Neil.

The virtue of the Pentosin is that it has an extremely low pour point for extreme cold weather use. Volvo, Audi, etc. spec it so they can just fill one fluid and ship cars anywhere. The downside is that it is thin, has a lot more additives in it (that do not lubricate), and it causes faster wear, and you pay a stif premium for that reduced performance. One of the first things those of us in the good old Audi days (‘90s and forward) did was dump it and put in Dex III. Cheaper and in fact better fluid if you are not near the Arctic circle.

If you are having leaks, consider using Lubegard ATF (pricey), or use some of their AT additive or PSF additive. THe ester oil base will repair seals, and it will also increase thermal transfer and lower temps slightly. Both good things.

[scot850]

We have a large temp range up here. We can get below -40C in winter and up to high +30'sC in summer. I have used the recommended Volvo fluids for years and the one time I had an leak at the pump I used AT-205 and it worked a treat.

As you well know, servicing is the secret to longer part life where fluids are used. Same reason I only used Volvo coolant as they upgrades the corrosion support at the last redesign a few years ago.

Appreciate the wise input and always like to read information like this!

Neil.

[yanga001]

Napacanada still stocks CHF11S at 62$ cad per L in Berta. Volvo of Toronto was around 45$ per L if i recalled.

When i flushed my P80 recently I pulled something out of the Honda Handbook.

Put the car up on stands, connected the reservoir low pressure return to a plastic line and put that into the bucket. Sealed off the low pressure return side of the reservoir with a plug and filled the reservoir with new fluid. I turned the steering rack back and forth WITH THE CAR OFF, and used the steering rack to push fluid out through the system. It seems to clear almost all the dirty fluid in the system.

Once done, simply reconnect the lines and you should be good to go.

I didnt feel any difference after changing the fluid but it was good to get the car at stage zero.

[scot850]

Which car was this on? The 98 and 99 have different pumps.

Didn't think to do it the way you did it. That info is great.

Neil.

[Oro]

We have a large temp range up here. We can get below -40C in winter and up to high +30'sC in summer. I have used the recommended Volvo fluids for years and the one time I had an leak at the pump I used AT-205 and it worked a treat.

As you well know, servicing is the secret to longer part life where fluids are used. Same reason I only used Volvo coolant as they upgrades the corrosion support at the last redesign a few years ago.

Appreciate the wise input and always like to read information like this!

Neil.

Ah - I missed you were in Alberta. See if you can get this stuff in Canada:

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-23232-C ... B01BSEGZ00

It will outperform the Pentosin and have superb cold-weather performance, and likely be a lot cheaper. I’m manic about fluids myself (changing the rear diff oil in my P80 today in fact). But the Pentosin PSF is very over-priced and very under-performing.

As to clearing the system, something like what @Yanga001 said is good. With a “new” used car, with unknown history, I pull the return hose, drain the reservoir, plug the hole, refill it. Pump the old fluid out into a catch vessel via the hose while refilling the reservoir. Once it’s pumping clean fluid, you are good. After establishing that baseline of clean fluid, I just drain/fill the reservoir every 25 to 30k miles, at the same time I service the transmission fluid.

If you REALLY want to get serious about it, do this: 1) drain the reservoir and refill with DexIII and one to two ounces of Chemtool B-12. Drive the car a couple days. This will pre-clean the system before putting in the new fluid. When you go to do the flush, make the first fill of the reservoir DexIII - this will buffer against the old fluid mixing with your premium new fluid. Then flush/fill until you get the full quart of the Lubegard in.

I had a problematic PS system on an old ‘04 XC70, and the dealer wanted to replace the rack. This completely fixed it vs. a very expensive, difficult repair.

[yanga001]

Which car was this on? The 98 and 99 have different pumps.

Didn't think to do it the way you did it. That info is great.

Neil.

Sorry i meant my p2. The p2 is about identical setup to your car. It is actually easier to do on a P2/bastard because of the offset reservoir

[MoVolvos]

Napacanada still stocks CHF11S at 62$ cad per L in Berta. Volvo of Toronto was around 45$ per L if i recalled.

When i flushed my P80 recently I pulled something out of the Honda Handbook.

Put the car up on stands, connected the reservoir low pressure return to a plastic line and put that into the bucket. Sealed off the low pressure return side of the reservoir with a plug and filled the reservoir with new fluid. I turned the steering rack back and forth WITH THE CAR OFF, and used the steering rack to push fluid out through the system. It seems to clear almost all the dirty fluid in the system.

Once done, simply reconnect the lines and you should be good to go.

I didnt feel any difference after changing the fluid but it was good to get the car at stage zero.

.
That's the best way to clear the system without mixing too much old and new. Here is the process in video.
.

.

[scot850]

Thanks guys! You are both awesome!

Neil.

[V50M66]

Wow, lots of bad advice in this thread.

-98 uses Dexron III/Mercon ATF.
99+ uses either Pentosin CHF11S or CHF202.

This change is pump dependent, not rack dependent. You can use either fluid with either a SMI or TRW replacement rack so long as your fluid selection matches the pump

[scot850]

I know what was meant, but thanks for clarifying for all. I had found out the you can use CHF11S or CHF202 in the 99- cars and that you safely mix them. Again, appreciate the clarification! I had already bought 1 liter of the 202 in 'error' before discovering I could use it. The bonus is my buddy has a bunch looking for a home so I can get some more from him if needed.

Neil.