I was driving home tonight and my ps was acting goofy - kinda going and out coming in. Then I realized, this is one of the components I've never touched since I've had my car. I've neglected it, actually. So I went to check it and no surprise, not only was it low, but it smelled burnt, as well. And the dipstick even had a nasty slimy build up on it. I'm assuming from burnt fluid. The fluid in the reservoir was still liquid, but I don't like the looks of it.

So the bottom line is, what's the best way to drain and flush it? I'd like to get as much of the contaminated fluid out as I can.

Also, what causes the fluid to "burn" - you racer guys know a good answer?

Thanks,

Matthew

The only way I could get it out was with the Turkey Baster.

Thanks John. That's what I was planning on using for the reservoir, didn't know if there was an easy way to get all of it out of the lines.

Matthew

Well there is that big hose that is on the bottom of the pump....but it is hell reaching it for sure. The Pulley are in the way.

I've had a leak there for weeks...I bought the replacement hose weeks ago...I just cant see how I'm going to get to it without taking lots of things off first.

Keven says you can get to it...it is just tight as hell.

You can drain it from the lines but then you have to "bleed" the system as described in the FSM ( different from a brake bleed).

Do the turkey baster fluid replacement, drive a few miles, and do it again. P/S fluid is cheap.

Just thought about this one as I filled the res yet again..

Just do what I did...get a bad leak...after a few months you'll have noice clean fluid in there.

Mine is nice and clean...however the catch pan has nice clean fluid in it as well.

I used the turkey baster, too. I jacked up the front end, emptied the reservoir as much as possible with the baster, refilled with fresh fluid, started the car, turned the wheel lock-to-lock about 10 times, and repeated this process several times. In the end the fluid looked pretty clean to me.