Jump to content
CaddyInfo Cadillac Forum

Power steering fluid


joanez

Recommended Posts

I had a leak under my car today. I check all fluids and my Power Steering fluid is very...very lowe....the leak on the floor is a pinkest color.Went out tp buy some Power steering fluid (CarQuest brand) It is clear in color.WHAT is the correct Kind of Power Steering.And can Power Steering Fluid be PINKEST? I have 1994 SLS

Link to comment
Share on other sites


I had a leak under my car today. I check all fluids and my Power Steering fluid is very...very lowe....the leak on the floor is a pinkest color.Went out tp buy some Power steering fluid (CarQuest brand) It is clear in color.WHAT is the correct Kind of Power Steering.And can Power Steering Fluid be PINKEST? I have 1994 SLS

Well you are correct, steering fluid is clear. Typically tranny fluid is pink. Unless someone put tranny fluid in your steering pump, it used to be common, but not recommended any more. Check your tranny fluid just in case.

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had a leak under my car today. I check all fluids and my Power Steering fluid is very...very lowe....the leak on the floor is a pinkest color.Went out tp buy some Power steering fluid (CarQuest brand) It is clear in color.WHAT is the correct Kind of Power Steering.And can Power Steering Fluid be PINKEST? I have 1994 SLS

Well you are correct, steering fluid is clear. Typically tranny fluid is pink. Unless someone put tranny fluid in your steering pump, it used to be common, but not recommended any more. Check your tranny fluid just in case.

I am at a lost I did check tranny fluid it is okay. That is Why I check Power streering. I had my mechanic check all fluids about 3 weeks ago. Wonder if he did this or last year I had a power steering Pump put in if it was done then. Wonder what to do now?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you are concerned about the condition of the fluid in the power steering pump, you could siphon all the fluid out with a turkey baster and then refill with fresh fluid. Repeat in a few hundred miles.

There are only two fluids I would recommend; GM Goodwrench Power Steering Fluid or Valvoline SYNPOWER.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well the steering fluid is clear when it goes in, but its brown after it runs for awhile. Dont panic, your tranny fluid level is good, thats great. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, it could be a hose or steering rack... If it continues to leak, have an honest mechanic put it up and look around. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, and TELL them its dropping if you see it dropping, and at least you have directed the mechanic and you look informed.

You can always climb under yourself if you can get under there, but be safe,

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well the steering fluid is clear when it goes in, but its brown after it runs for awhile. Dont panic, your tranny fluid level is good, thats great. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, it could be a hose or steering rack... If it continues to leak, have an honest mechanic put it up and look around. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, and TELL them its dropping if you see it dropping, and at least you have directed the mechanic and you look informed.

You can always climb under yourself if you can get under there, but be safe,

Looks to me the leak is on drivers side where the return hose is Gear to Cooler. To late to go under and look around to night. To clear out wrong Fluid in power steering, I will do that in the A.M. Will that transission fluid in my power streering give me problems later?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well the steering fluid is clear when it goes in, but its brown after it runs for awhile. Dont panic, your tranny fluid level is good, thats great. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, it could be a hose or steering rack... If it continues to leak, have an honest mechanic put it up and look around. Keep an eye on your steering fluid level, and TELL them its dropping if you see it dropping, and at least you have directed the mechanic and you look informed.

You can always climb under yourself if you can get under there, but be safe,

Looks to me the leak is on drivers side where the return hose is Gear to Cooler. To late to go under and look around to night. To clear out wrong Fluid in power steering, I will do that in the A.M. Will that transission fluid in my power streering give me problems later?????

We dont know if you have tranny fluid in your steering, I wouldnt worry about it, it appears redish brown upon use.

If I recall, REGIS had a leak in his power steering cooler, take a look at it

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I was correct, REGIS has a leaking cooler line or cooler

Here is the thread

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=16279

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am pretty sure the previous owner (his mechanic?) used ATF instead of power steering fluid in my car. Did not have any problem, but got rid of it by disconnecting return line to pump it out and replace with Preston powersteering fluid.

Joanez, do not worry, just add any fresh PS fluid to the reservoir and as others suggested keep an eye on the level. I do not think mixing old and fresh fluid will hurt anything.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am pretty sure the previous owner (his mechanic?) used ATF instead of power steering fluid in my car. Did not have any problem, but got rid of it by disconnecting return line to pump it out and replace with Preston powersteering fluid.

Joanez, do not worry, just add any fresh PS fluid to the reservoir and as others suggested keep an eye on the level. I do not think mixing old and fresh fluid will hurt anything.

The SLS continues to have small leak.I took her to my mechanic, He saids the Rack is leaking needs to be replaced...rebuilded $400.00....New $490.00...For 90.00 more it will be new.....Do you think if I replace the Rack I should get the power steering Pump replaced at the same time?????

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am pretty sure the previous owner (his mechanic?) used ATF instead of power steering fluid in my car. Did not have any problem, but got rid of it by disconnecting return line to pump it out and replace with Preston powersteering fluid.

Joanez, do not worry, just add any fresh PS fluid to the reservoir and as others suggested keep an eye on the level. I do not think mixing old and fresh fluid will hurt anything.

The SLS continues to have small leak.I took her to my mechanic, He saids the Rack is leaking needs to be replaced...rebuilded $400.00....New $490.00...For 90.00 more it will be new.....Do you think if I replace the Rack I should get the power steering Pump replaced at the same time?????

How bad is the leak? I would spend $10 per year for PS fluid added when needed rather than spending $500 on a 15 years old car.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

Link to comment
Share on other sites

<_< Do not understand this "Correction from my Dealer..."Needs Cradle, Rack and Pinion nuts broken inside cradle
Who did you hear this from? It seems garbled.

I think you should try some power steering fluid that is formulated to stop leaks. Older cars sometimes have seals in the power steering that get hard and small leaks begin. Power steering fluid for these cars includes additives that soften the seals and usually these small leaks go away when you use this stuff.

One last thing -- sometimes a new car dealer isn't the best place to maintain an old car. It's a complex question and it depends on what type of problem or repair is at issue, but a small power steering fluid leak is likely better solved by you or a general purpose mechanic, not Mr. Goodwrench -- who is the best there is for GM cars and repair warranties that can't be beat, but as a result of these things has hourly rates and rules that may or may not be what you want. As a possible example, they probably can't rebuild your power steering pump or rack-and-pinion because they can't guarantee it for life that way.

As far as general purpose mechanics go, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Or a third. It sounds to me like you have ATF in your power steering, which is OK, and that all you need is some power steering fluid that has seal-softener in it; ask as your local NAPA auto parts store. The NAPA web pate is

CTS-V_LateralGs_6-2018_tiny.jpg
-- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes
-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data
-- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC
Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did do as you said in that order.

Cadillac Dealer……. Needs Cradle, Rack and Pinion nuts broken inside cradle $1600

General purpose mechanic…….Rebuild rack and pinion …….$550

2nd mechanic New AC Delco $650

I went for the New one for $650. Had it done Friday….Car drove find Saturday. Went to store Today made a left turn hear a noise in front left tire, smell something like rubber burn, pull over did not see anything wrong with tire check under hood. The dxx Power Steering Fluid real low. Added Fluid went home , Checked fluid again Fluid low I could see it on drive way where I drove up. Called mechanic left 3 messaged. Today is Sunday!!!! I am so upset,

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry about the threads will be careful not to do that again. Fisher you were right the mechanic agree with you he said Dealer is just try to make $$$, Also agree with Mac the only problem is a broken rack bold that he extracted, Which he did the cradle is fine. He put car up in air and the new rack is leaking from a black seal. He will put another one this afternoon. Hope this will take care of my leak. Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry about the threads will be careful not to do that again. Fisher you were right the mechanic agree with you he said Dealer is just try to make $$$, Also agree with Mac the only problem is a broken rack bold that he extracted, Which he did the cradle is fine. He put car up in air and the new rack is leaking from a black seal. He will put another one this afternoon. Hope this will take care of my leak. Thanks

I am sure you will be fine, good luck and let us know the result. Mike

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...