Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) "Frozen" steering fluid?

[Rhondasway]

I've been experiencing an issue in cold weather at startup. Whether I plug the truck in or not, if the temp is at or below freezing, I get a sound similar to being low on power steering fluid. When I turn the wheel it's worse, of course. It affects the brakes as well, making that sound if I press on the pedal.

I had put some AT fluid in it when I had a hose come loose at the track and lost some PS fluid. Of course, I don't have any trans issues in cold weather, so I don't see how that could affect it.

Once the engine is warm it's fine, so when it does this I don't even move it until it's warm.

Any suggestions? There must be folks who are dealing with much colder weather than I am...

Thanks.

 

[BV]

Hey Rhonda - I have had good success with Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid and would recommend flushing out your old fluid and the atf you put in and tyring the Valvoline.

 

[ProMac1K]

I've had the same thing since the first winter that I put my truck through, this winter as well. Same symptoms. Kind of sounds like there is an extra motor idling under there, or a faint sound of some low air horns in the distance. I've been told to flush the resevoir with new fluid and add some of the Valvoline fluid or some regular fluid with a blend of a certain treatment. I have yet to try that, just drive it. Everything works fine, just sounds and acts like a viscosity problem that pressure pumps have. For me it happens in the single digits °F or below, fwiw.

 

[TJBrienen]

Frozen steering fluid

I have the same problem at about 10 degrees and below. Allot of moaning and groaning under the hood. I will be trying the valvoline ASAP! Thanks

 

[fox]

Mine has done it when under 15 F or so, I just changed it to Valvoline syn PS fluid and it warmed up . So I don't know for sure how much it helped. The old fluid was black and runny??

Anyway, if that is what it takes to get warm weather, I'll go get a gallon.

 

[tp0d]

yes synpower works great. . had the same problem, changed out the ps fluid using a turkey baster, no more noise, even at -3F



-j

 

[dodge cummins]

hey tpod when you pulled out the old power steering fluid with a turkey baster how much fluid did you get out.

 

[Batman]

Valvoline Synpower works great. Had the same issues 2 years ago. Flushed with Synpower, problem solved.



George

 

[Rhondasway]

Awesome, guys! I will get me some o' that and do the change. I was thinking I'd loosen a hose, and run the truck to get all the fluid out. Easier and more thorough than the turkey baster method, I'd think. Anybody know if this can damage anything? Should I fill it, drain it, and refill, or is once enough?

 

[ProMac1K]

I would drain it, fill it with plain PS fluid, cycle the fluid through, drain, fill it with plain PS fluid, cycle the fluid through, drain it, then add your Valvoline fluid. But yeah, I would say flush it at least twice and add the Valvoline PS fluid, or regular fluid with a PS additive such as LubeGard. Hope everything works good. I might try this as well, got some suggestions from a good guy in ND.

 

[GAmes]

Awesome, guys! I will get me some o' that and do the change. I was thinking I'd loosen a hose, and run the truck to get all the fluid out. Easier and more thorough than the turkey baster method, I'd think. Anybody know if this can damage anything?

Everything in that system is lubed by the PS fluid, I'm of the opinion that running it out would be a bad idea. The turkey baster method is slower but won't hurt anything. If you don't have the TDR issue where Joe Donnelly did it, this is it in a nutshell. Put a small can on the frame next to the PS pump to catch the fluid. A short hose extension on the baster allows you to pull more fluid out. Remove as much as possible, (about a pint) then fill with new fluid. Dump the can, start the truck and run the sterring wheel lock to lock a few times. (You might want to do this rolling backward or forward to keep from tearing up the tire belts) Repeat about six or seven times. Each time the ratio of new fluid to old will increase. When the fluid you pull out is as clear as you like you are finished.

 

[tp0d]

hey tpod when you pulled out the old power steering fluid with a turkey baster how much fluid did you get out.

bout a half to a full cup each time. .



like everyone else said here, do the baster method at least 2-3 times, and cycle the steering for a bit to mix the fluid. Easier than breaking a hose nut, and saves against airlock/bubbles also. Mine has been in close to a year now, I`ll be changing it again as soon as the weather breaks. Synthetic oils have good cleaning qualities, so there will prolly be some junk floatin around in there again. .



good luck



-j

 

[Batman]

GAmes' method is how I did mine. The cost of the minimal extra fluid (of new Synpower) is worth having all the same fluid in the system.

I WOULD NOT run the system dry.

Good luck.

George

 

[Rhondasway]

I'll be taking this on in the next few days. My steering's been "stiff" at low speeds/standing anyway, so the fluid's probably nasty. What is this "turkey baster" you speak of, and where can I find one? j/k :-laf

 

[OTRPU]

Go in your kitchen and steal the wifes. Course if you ain't married, guess you'll have to steal mom's. Or you can get one at most grocery stores, looks like a giant eye dropper.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[fox]

I got one at a local Big R store. It has a body like a grease gun. It is suppose to draw a pint but it never gets that much in one pull. Still is an easy way to drain a differential or ps pump.

My wife would be a grouch if I used the one from the kitchen. !!!! If she knew about it.

 

[Rhondasway]

I remembered that I have a brake bleeding tool that works very well for self-bleeding applications and would be perfect for this. Unfortunately, I also remembered that it's very deep in storage right now...

Good thing I like to do stuff the hard way...

 

[ProMac1K]

I thought about that "one man" brake bleeder as well.



I think I have a siphon laying around in the garage somewhere that would work.

 

[Rhondasway]

Okay! I finally did the change while out of town! My old fluid was incredibly gross: dark, murky mahogany brown, and smelling so aweful and burnt!

I can't believe I waited so long...

I ended up running 4 quarts through it, finally stopping when it was a very light golden brown, and transparent. No more "freezing" or bad sounds, and my brakes are working better too. The steering is still a bit stiff at low speeds, and I plan to run a few more quarts through until it's more clear. I don't know if there could be damage.

HELPFUL HINT: Instead of using a turkey baster, I got what is called a "dose syringe" which is used for orally medicating horses. It's just a big syringe with a large tapered tip. I put a piece of tubing about 8" long on it, and it went right into the bottom of the reservoir. You can draw quite a bit of fluid out each time. Find the dose syringe at most livestock supply (feed) stores for a couple bucks.

Anyway, thanks everyone!

 

[ProMac1K]

Great! Good deal!