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

[jmartin919]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/blog/volvo-powe ... 70%20wagon.

[Oro]

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

Not according to Volvo. 99, 00 P80 says “ATF” and does not require Pentosin. I believe the P2 manuals say the same, but I don’t have one handy to verify that. If anything, this would imply DexIII (or even Mercon) as that is what is recommended for the AT.

Look, Pentosin is a hydraulic fluid. It’s not mother’s milk, ambrosia, or any special kryptonite-infused magic fluid. There are mutliple fluids that do the same exact thing - and usually better. Pentosin does nothing special with regard to the pump or rack action that other fluids cannot accomplish - and again usually at much lower cost and superior performance.

To take advantage of the latest chemistry, I use an ester-oil based PSF (Lubegard PSF) or I used DexIII and fortify it with an ester additive. Very easy.

2000 MY manual:

[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 stiff 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.

[pfmet]

So I’m trying to figure out the best choice of product and technique for a pwst flush(?) and refil. MoVolvos discuses a turkey basted remove, refill, recirculate technique that sounds similar to the concept of the transmission fluid change I have yet to do. And the Swepco 714 20w hydraulic transmission fluid seems to be held in high regard. I have a chirpy pwst pump, most annoying, that may benefit from a fluid change and would like to hear a more concise explanation of what the smart money might do in this matter. I see on Amazon Swepco 715 power steering fluid and wonder what the differences may be and why the 714 seems to get the attention. Any more thoughts or threads on this matter? Experiences? More research….and rabbit holes….

[Oro]

“Chirpy” is usually used to describe a belt noise. Not that it’s what it means your case, but do verify it’s not a belt issue. It could also be a bearing and no fluid service is going to address that.

If you have PS pump noise, cleaning the system briefly before introducing new fluid is smart. A clean can mean: 1) draining the res, 2) refilling (Dex III is fine here) and adding a little solvent like SeaFoam or B-12 (B-12 is more effective and costs less, fwiw). 3) Run that for a day or two, and 4) then flush it out and introduce your new fluid. You can purchase packaged ps system cleaners, but they are just re-packaged solvents and won’t do anything better than just using Seafoam or B-12.

Swepco is peak ‘80s/‘90s tech - it’s highly refined mineral (“dino”) oil and additives. Has a strong following because back then it was a good product. Technology now has left it in the dust, though. Synthetic products like Amsoil, Redline, Lubegard use true synthetics. Amsoil uses largely PAO and added ester for seal conditioning. Redline and Lubegard use ester bases for the majority of the fluid. I use either an ester PS fluid (redline or lubegard), or DexIII and then fortify it with an ester additive (Lubegard).

If you really get food vibes from Swepco, you can certainly use it and it won’t do harm. But it won’t give the same performance as newer fuids unless you fortify it with an ester oil additive.

[scot850]

All this info is great and some good and some bad. Having worked for a short time in the local dealer parts department, we were advised by Volvo to use the CF11S in the newer style pumps from 99-. So, FCP info is maybe correct based on the user manual, but that in turn is next to useless as ATF is a wide ranging term and not all ATF is suitable for use in the power steering.

Where you live can also have a bearing on what fluid you use. With potentially 70+C temperature variation we get here, I will stick to what the dealer recommends for use in our climate. Call me old fashioned, but I will continue to use the fluid the dealer has used in my car since the last flush. With the low mileage of the 00R, it is really I suppose a moot point, although strangely, the Pentosin Volvo oil does have a 5 year expiry date on it.

Thanks for all the input guys! Once again oil/fluid subjects brings a wealth of information and preferences. For that I thank you all!

Neil.

[V50M66]

Volvo has a tendency to have straight up incorrect info in the manuals.

ATF in a 99+ pump will not play nice. Only Pentosin CHF11S, CHF202, or equivalent is what should be run.

-98 pumps, ATF is just fine.

[Caesium]

I run CHF 202 / 11S in my 99 V70R. No issues, but after the upgraded reservoir it does feel a bit better in tight turns, less groaning from that pump for sure.

I concur with what V50M66 has said. For the sake of simplicity most people will not fortify their fluids with additives unless it's leaking or not performing.

[jmartin919]

@ORO How much B-12 are you suggesting add to the PS before changing fluid?

[MoVolvos]

So I’m trying to figure out the best choice of product and technique for a pwst flush(?) and refil. MoVolvos discuses a turkey basted remove, refill, recirculate technique that sounds similar to the concept of the transmission fluid change I have yet to do. And the Swepco 714 20w hydraulic transmission fluid seems to be held in high regard. I have a chirpy pwst pump, most annoying, that may benefit from a fluid change and would like to hear a more concise explanation of what the smart money might do in this matter. I see on Amazon Swepco 715 power steering fluid and wonder what the differences may be and why the 714 seems to get the attention. Any more thoughts or threads on this matter? Experiences? More research….and rabbit holes….

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I didn't mention that the Swepco 714 was in the transmission of friend's 2008 GT2 per Dieter of Andial. He use to change all the fluids after a track day but when he started using Andial Dieter said it wasn't necessary.

viewtopic.php?p=648334&hilit=andial#p648334

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a1 ... ve-review/

My personal experience is up to 2005 in a Dodge Caravan I was preparing for a friend to sell. The powersteering pump was making a slight noise and by changing the fluid in the reservoir the noise stopped. Friend was gracious in giving me $1K because for helping him clean it up and selling it as it was much more than he expected.

Oh, I forgot one of the reasons was I backed out of my garage with the rear hatch up and dragged down the garage door while breaking the rear hatch glass . The insurance paid for an entire hatch but we just opted for the glass. The insurance pay out and sale price was much more than what he could have gotten in the condition he gave it to me before prepping it for sale. It was used to haul products for a business so really really dirty. Wow, 10 years ago and I may have even posted the story here as I think I still had the 98 S70 T5 at the time.

(EDIT: I did write about the mishap)

The great P80 Volvo Bloopers - Idiots - Fails thread
viewtopic.php?p=538209&hilit=2005+caravan#p538209

All that to say Swepco 714 is not for older cars!
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2005 Dodge Carvan.png (1.38 MiB) Viewed 191 times

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