Sean880
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2009
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- Location
- VIC / NSW
- Members Ride
- 2012 VE SV6 ser 2 and 911 Porsche Carrera S 997
As my VY is now 5 years old (but very low kms) I decided I should change the power steering fluid.
The only way to do this easily is to pump out old fluid progressively and replace it. This means drawing some fluid from the reservoir ensuring that the level stays safely above the top PS hose so no air gets into the system. Then top up with fresh fluid.
Run the car for a few days and do it again. Then repeat the process a 3rd and 4th time.
Sounds time consuming but it's not as it only takes a few minutes each time.
I found the old fluid I pumped out had discolored which is not surprising. Now that I have undertaken this process 4 times, a few days apart each time, the quality of the fluid in the system is looking new and clean even if there is a slight mix of old and new fluid in the system.
I propose doing it a couple more times in a few weeks.
To pump out old fluid I purchased a large plastic spray bottle with a trigger spray which is normally used for spraying water or cleaning products. The larger bottles have a larger feeder tube running to the trigger and thus can pump more fluid. (cost -$2.50 at a "reject shop")
You remove the trigger and plastic feed tube from the bottle and cut off the small plastic cylinder filter at the bottom of the feeder tube. (Some tubes have them - some don't).
Unscrew and remove the small plastic spray nozzle from the tip of the trigger mechanism.
(Don't use a trigger that does not have a removable spray nozzle).
Now you have a small trigger operated pump that is easily capable of pumping transmission fluid.
Clean the outside of the feeder tube.
To pump fluid out of the Power Steering reservoir, place the feeder tube (with trigger attached) into the PS reservoir. As the tube is small in diameter you can get it as low as you like. The lower the better. In your other hand have a container to run the old fluid into. Begin operating the trigger mechanism and it will easily begin pumping the PS fluid through the tube and trigger into your catch container.
DO NOT let the fluid drop to a low level in the PS reservoir. Ensure you keep it at a safe level above the top PS hose attached to the reservoir.
Now top up the reservoir with new fluid to the correct level which is marked on the side of the PS reservoir (cold fluid and hot fluid markings are there). Make sure you use the correct spec fluid (which is DEXRON 111 for the VY commodores - both V6 and V8 engine cars).
Keep everything clean so there is no contamination of the fluid.
Repeat the process a few times - days apart after driving the vehicle - until you have clean fluid in the system. Once set up it only takes a few minutes each time.
Perhaps not the best possible system but it works.
The only way to do this easily is to pump out old fluid progressively and replace it. This means drawing some fluid from the reservoir ensuring that the level stays safely above the top PS hose so no air gets into the system. Then top up with fresh fluid.
Run the car for a few days and do it again. Then repeat the process a 3rd and 4th time.
Sounds time consuming but it's not as it only takes a few minutes each time.
I found the old fluid I pumped out had discolored which is not surprising. Now that I have undertaken this process 4 times, a few days apart each time, the quality of the fluid in the system is looking new and clean even if there is a slight mix of old and new fluid in the system.
I propose doing it a couple more times in a few weeks.
To pump out old fluid I purchased a large plastic spray bottle with a trigger spray which is normally used for spraying water or cleaning products. The larger bottles have a larger feeder tube running to the trigger and thus can pump more fluid. (cost -$2.50 at a "reject shop")
You remove the trigger and plastic feed tube from the bottle and cut off the small plastic cylinder filter at the bottom of the feeder tube. (Some tubes have them - some don't).
Unscrew and remove the small plastic spray nozzle from the tip of the trigger mechanism.
(Don't use a trigger that does not have a removable spray nozzle).
Now you have a small trigger operated pump that is easily capable of pumping transmission fluid.
Clean the outside of the feeder tube.
To pump fluid out of the Power Steering reservoir, place the feeder tube (with trigger attached) into the PS reservoir. As the tube is small in diameter you can get it as low as you like. The lower the better. In your other hand have a container to run the old fluid into. Begin operating the trigger mechanism and it will easily begin pumping the PS fluid through the tube and trigger into your catch container.
DO NOT let the fluid drop to a low level in the PS reservoir. Ensure you keep it at a safe level above the top PS hose attached to the reservoir.
Now top up the reservoir with new fluid to the correct level which is marked on the side of the PS reservoir (cold fluid and hot fluid markings are there). Make sure you use the correct spec fluid (which is DEXRON 111 for the VY commodores - both V6 and V8 engine cars).
Keep everything clean so there is no contamination of the fluid.
Repeat the process a few times - days apart after driving the vehicle - until you have clean fluid in the system. Once set up it only takes a few minutes each time.
Perhaps not the best possible system but it works.
