1999 S70 GLT Power Steering Foam - cause - missing return baffle in pump reservoir

[800artfreed]

Latest update. I used some coat hanger wire and fished around for the diverter inside the old PS tank. It is a tube with a right angle. There is a long side of about 3-4 inches and a short side of about 1 inch. The short end has a bevel cut into the end of the tube. This allows the tube to press along the inside short end of the tank when it is pushed onto the brass tube extension since the return fitting is at an angle to the tank. If your brass tube has worked its way out of the return fitting of the reservoir by only 1/2 inch the diverter can just fall off into the tank. this allows the fluid to agitate the fluid in the tank causing foam. Right at the 90 degree bend you will notice there is a small stub. This presses against the side of the tank opposite the return pipe. This diverter can only fit one way and it was pretty easy to hold it in position while I pushed the brass tube into the diverter. I have not as yet looked into my 98 PS tanks to see what is going on inside them.

I also want to relate the outrageous prices my "favorite" dealership tried to charge me for a liter of PS fluid. Up in Scranton PA list price was 24 dollars & I got a "family" discount at under 20 dollars through my friend who works there. Down here in the DC area AFTER the VCOA discount the price was going to be 26 dollars. Its really outrageous! Fortunately I have some VW G 002 000 fluid that is actually the compatible Pentosin CSF 11 hydraulic fluid. I will use that to bring the fluid level up a bit and I will order some more online.

[hausmeister]

Why would you buy PS fluid at the dealer? These cars use ATF Dexron 3 afaik. At least my 850 and s70 do. Do the newer '99 cars need a special fluid?

I have been thinking about the issue, once it gets warm I'll check my reservoir and maybe see if I can permanently fix the brass tube in the plastic.

[scot850]

ATF and Pentosin are not compatible. There does seem to be some debate if you can use either, but just never mix. I know the 99- used Pentosin and that is what is specified, but nothing I've read says if that was a choice or absolute requirement after the change in the power steering pump used.

Neil.

[WhatAmIDoing]

ATF and Pentosin are not compatible. There does seem to be some debate if you can use either, but just never mix. I know the 99- used Pentosin and that is what is specified, but nothing I've read says if that was a choice or absolute requirement after the change in the power steering pump used.

Neil.

I believe prior to 1998, all Volvo power steering pumps used ATF. Most 98's used ATF, but it appears some late 98's shipped with Pentosin. AFAIK, all 99's after use Pentosin PS fluid. As for whether is is required, I do not know how different the hydraulic system is on a 99 versus a 98, or how differently Pentosin hydraulic fluid behaves versus Dex3 ATF. If you can figure that out, you will have your answer.

[abscate]

Both of my 1999 owners manuals state


Power steering fluid. aTF

[800artfreed]

I honestly thought my 99 had ATF in the reservoir. The foam looked red when I opened it up. I added some ATF to the fluid and the foam looked pink before and after. My real problem was the diverter pipe falling off inside the reservoir and allowing agitation of the PS fluid. I wound up extracting all the fluid and replacing it with the Pentosin. If it looks light green on a white paper towel and not RED it is Pentosin CSF-11 or CSF-202. Buy some after market as the dealer list price ranges from 24 to over 30 dollars per liter. You can get CSF for around 16 dollars mail order with free shipping, still more that ATF but practically half price from the stealership.

[Ocelot]

It's a known fault with the reservoir. All you can do is replace it. On my car power steering oil kept percolating out of the cap, and the pump whine was so aggravating. June

Hey guys, now that I'm reading this... My filler cap on my 98 S70 is always wet on the outside (so my reservoir is also a bit shiny from the PS oil), I noticed this yesterday when checking the fluids. Does this mean serious trouble?

[abscate]

There is usually some grease on the PS reservoir from the foaming of the fluid, if it’s damp but not wet, don’t worry about it. Just wiped it off with a paper towel once a month, then use the Paper to check the level, and then your oil

Tuck the Paper towel into the top of your shock tower because they cost 0.079 cents a piece, almost a penny Canadian!

[June]

It's a known fault with the reservoir. All you can do is replace it. On my car power steering oil kept percolating out of the cap, and the pump whine was so aggravating. June

Hey guys, now that I'm reading this... My filler cap on my 98 S70 is always wet on the outside (so my reservoir is also a bit shiny from the PS oil), I noticed this yesterday when checking the fluids. Does this mean serious trouble?

Nothing serious. On my car it caused a pump whine. Since Volvo installed the new reservoir pump is quiet and no fluid leaks out of the cap. June

[800artfreed]

Just want to mention that another post stated that the owners manual form 1999 to 2005 WRONGLY states the PS fluid is ATF. Actual factory fluid is the Pentosin CSF-11 or CSF- 202. I can't vouch for using ATF in the more recent years. I can say that so far the PS pump is quiet, the reservoir is doesn't leak.

BTW I would NOT recommend trying to flip the green gasket of the PS reservoir cover. I struggled to get it off and after flipping it over found it impossible to stretch it over the metal tabs. This "quick" fix for leaking at the PS cover works for the orange gasket that is a bit thinner than the green gasket and came on my 1998 cars.