Power Steering Flush Procedures

[Nathan in MI]

I debated about where to put this, but this seemed to make the most sense. Admins, feel free to move it.

As I posted in the WAYWO thread, I replaced my high pressure power steering line on the Fire Engine last night. While I was at it, I decided it might be a good idea to flush the system out, so I disconnected the return line from the reservoir, aimed it into a bucket, got a friend to plug the hole in the bottom of the reservoir and pour fluid into it, and I turned the pump by hand.

Problem was, I couldn't get any fluid to come out of the return line other than a few drips, which I think were from fluid that was in there already anyway. I had been under the impression that by doing it this way I could flush a bunch of fluid through the system to clean it out. What did I do wrong?

Thanks in advance.

--Nathan

[91grandmarquis]

I just replaced my pump, I had to pull the return line then drain the system from that and re fill it. Im not sure of the proper way to go about flushing it though, Im still bleeding the air from my system now, Called ford and they said it just has to work its way out, you can turn the wheels with the fill cap off and the car running in park to circulate it, but mostly it takes time.

[Nathan in MI]

I'm not trying to get air out - there's not any air in the system to speak of. Just trying to get the dirt out, assuming there is some.

[91grandmarquis]

Yeah just pulling the return and dumping more fluid in the fill while turning the pump should do it, maybe you need to idle the car though, had mine running without the cap to bleed it, But im not sure if you could keep up with the pumps demand at that point.

[1987cp]

Going along with that idea, maybe it would be possible to add a tee to the return line with a smaller-ID hose leading down to a bucket? That would somewhat restrict the rate at which the fluid runs out and make it easier to keep the reservoir filled during the procedure (probably still want to get a gallon container of Type F, assuming that's still the recommended p/s fluid for the newer cars, to help make sure you have plenty of fluid you can pour without stopping).

[andymac0035]

Is it possible to crank your (fire) engine (I had to say it) over without the ignition on? Or perhaps use something like a small belt hooked up to a cordless drill and a use low speed? Your car has a cooler on it yes? Perhaps that is why spinning the pulley by hand isn't working?

Just throwing idea's out there. When I replaced my PS pump I just refilled with new fluid and was good to go. Actually, I think I may have either left the cap loose or off when I first started it after installing the new pump. It's been a while and I'm not sure.

[91grandmarquis]

You can just turn the key to start it but not let it catch and keep bumping it over while someone pours it in. Had to keep bumping my friends car to align the belt because some of the new cars dont have a tension arm or any accessory with sliding brackets to tension. Could try that.

[gadget73]

it should pump some out if you spin the pump by hand. I know the old box style pumps will do it. you've got the line off that goes from the steering box back up to the reservoir right?

[Nathan in MI]

It's got the power steering cooler on it, so it goes from the reservoir to the pump, pump to the steering gear, gear to the cooler, and cooler to the reservoir. I suppose it's possible I didn't turn it long enough to get the air out that was introduced by the new hose, but it doesn't seem likely. It shouldn't take that long, should it?

[91grandmarquis]

I would run the air out then flush it... Took me a good hour to get it out of mine. Only air should have been in the two lines because the box stayed full and I filled the pump up. I let my car idle for probably 15 minutes turning the wheel back and forth too, called ford and he said let it set after and settle sure enough it did. But moving the last line on the way back to the reservoir should let you drain it.

[Nathan in MI]

I would run the air out...

Like I said before:

I'm not trying to get air out - there's not any air in the system to speak of.

[gadget73]

return from cooler, return from box, same idea as long as its the return, and not the feed hose out to the pump.

air in the new line may have been it, I dunno. I've never messed with the new style pumps much so I don't know if maybe there is something goofy that they have to spin at a certain speed to move fluid or not. I can't see that being the case but who knows.

[Glen]

It take two people.
Remove return line, point it to a bucket or anything you want.
Put finger over hole where hose was.
Fill reservoir, start car, keep reservoir full!
Do not let it all run out!
When fluid runs out clean, stop.
Put hose back on, you are done.
I did it to mine and it works fine.