S60 Power steering fluid leaking/noise

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 08 Dec 2010, 17:11

My 02 S60 leaks power steering fluid from the reservoir cap area and also I just noticed from behind the plastic wheel pulley going into the pump itself - that area is wet . It was cold today and at startup I could hear the power steering making noise. Usually when it is even slightly low it does this, so I fill it with Lucas Power steering stop leak fluid. Am I nearing the end of the life of my power steering pump? What can I expect to pay to have it replaced, is this a DIY job? I can find a used refurbished one at Erie for less than $70.00. It there a tutorial on this site for replacement of the PS pump?
Thank you.

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 08 Dec 2010, 19:55

Did you check the cap gasket??.. Remember to use OEM Volvo Steering rack fluid. You can replace the pump..its not a big deal, but you have to be careful with air purge, and the correct belt tension.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 08 Dec 2010, 21:26

Thanks claymore for the reply. I did not. I don't have the OEM fluid in there. Could just a synthetic ps fluid work from the local auto store? Can I do a complete purge in order to add the correct fluid myself, any tutorials? I do have a brownish fluid in there now

. I am a newbie regarding air purge/ replacement of the pump. Guess I need to order the serpantine belt tool from IPD huh? How do I set the correct belt tension? I have a Haynes manual. Maybe they offer a how-to on this. Will check the manual.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 09 Dec 2010, 19:27

New ps res cap ordered, power steering pump ordered and it appears that I can use the synthetic ATF 3309 from Mobile. Whatever was in there when I bought the car was red, it wasnt the pentosin. Guess Ill check VADIS for a how to on installation/replacement of the pump.

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 10 Dec 2010, 07:27

pentosyn synthetic PS fluid is what you need. DO NOT use ATF 3309, that's just for the tranny.

Post by **JRL** » 10 Dec 2010, 13:52

Get a new reservoir, they DO go bad you know or just try a new cap first

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 10 Dec 2010, 17:10

@jda2000. Thank you - seems that the owners manual is wrong in recommending ATF for 01-04 S60s and that Pentosin CHF 11S is the recommended fluid. Checking to see if CHF 202 is interchangeable with CHF 11S with FCPGroton via Facebook.
Information above also mentioned over at Volvospeed forum. It appears that I can do a system flush, taking out the old brownish/reddish stuff via the reservoir (replaced once already). I just have to buy enough CHF to do a complete flush - kind of pricey but don't want to put non spec fluid in there. Plan is to buy about 3 liters (1.05 liters per cannister) and flush the old stuff out. @JRl - Ill see what the new cap/refurbed power steering pump addition/flush does for my leaking issue and possibly replace reservoir in the future.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 10 Dec 2010, 19:01

Just placed a magnet in the reservoir. Took it out and there are lots of black particles on the edges of it. Ill keep it in there and run the car next few days to get some of the particulate out. I feel that I made a large mistake not knowing what was in the reservoir to begin with. Ive topped it of with auto store PS fluid and Lucas PS fluid stop leak for a few years now. Guess Im going to pay a price. I do hope that the rack itself will not succumb to my shortsightedness. Once I do a flush and fill with the correct CHF fluid maybe Ill have appeased the Norse/Volvo gods enough to be granted more life for my steering rack!

jda2000 · Post by **jda2000** » 11 Dec 2010, 09:40

pentosyn CHF202 is their new synthetic PS fluid, compatible with CHF11, but not with any other fluid.

2 liters is all you need for a complete fluid replacement.

mrbluesky · Post by **mrbluesky** » 11 Dec 2010, 17:29

That's good news and NAPA carries both kinds!