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Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 14 Sep 2011, 23:25
by missiondevildog
I have a M1165. Everytime we fill up the power steering reservoir, the Dexron turns to a milky strawberry shake color after being ran for a few minutes. we thought there was water in the system, but after draining the system 5 or 6 times we are still having the same problem. All the lines and oil cooler seem fine. Not really sure what the problem is. Any tips or solutions would be greatly appreciated?

Re: Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 15 Sep 2011, 06:23
by SUPERMOD
that "milky" look is normally caused by air in the system. Power steering is a self bleeding system and you need to purge all the air out of it so that there are not pockets left. That "milky" look is little air bubbles being released from the lines and pump. take the cap off the reservoir, and make sure it is filled properly, then procede to turn the steering wheel all the way from one side to the other. Max out the steering in each direction and when you cant turn it anymore, pause there for 3 seconds. Do this a couple hundred turns and that "milky" fluid will have bled out.

NOTE: keep a drip pan underneath the vehicle because typically you will overflow out of the reservoir on the end of the turns. (also, keep the reservoir filled because you will lose fluid when it overflows).

GOOD LUCK! hope this helps.

Re: Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 15 Sep 2011, 09:43
by MarineOL3529
A quick easy way to bleed any power steerng system is to chock the rear wheels and raise the front end so the wheels steer freely. with out turning the vehicle on steer the vehicle from right to left 25 to 30 times. this forces fluid through the system without pushing air through it.

Re: Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 15 Sep 2011, 16:14
by missiondevildog
So if there is air in the system will this turn all the Dextron pink and milky. after draining the pump all of the dextron is milky and there are no air bubbles in the system. even after the turn sits there for about 2 days without being ran. If i put my finger into the reservoir, i can see a white liquid mixed with the dexron.

Re: Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 15 Sep 2011, 16:20
by missiondevildog
didnt mention this but we have lifted the front of the truck and turned the wheels left and right. have done this multiple times. every time we refill the system, but still have the same resluts.

Re: Power Steering Reservoir

PostPosted: 19 Sep 2011, 06:52
by MarineOL3529
Sounds like you have water in the system you need to completly drain your system.... remember to include your oil cooler in this. The easy way to do this is to fill your resivior and take off one side of the outlet line on the cooler and run the truck... don't do it too long as dammage to the system may occur.... you can flush it out the smae way by keeping the resivior full while you do this.... Hope this helps out