How do I flush the PS system?

[BrandonM3]

I've searched and searched, but have found only vauge answers. What is THE way to flush the PS system? What parts (washers) are needed, if any?

[RRSperry]

bump for an answer

[black_box]

1: drain the reservoir with a turkey baster
2: fill the reservoir with fresh fluid
3: start the car and move the steering wheel lock to lock several times (up to 10?) to circulate the fluid
4: go to 1. if the fluid that comes out looks clean, just top it off and you're done. The dipstick built into the reservoir cap has the high and low markers.

The filter for the system is integral with the reservoir. Buy a new one of those if you want. Also a good time to replace the 2 hoses that go to the reservoir and the crappy OEM hose clamps.

[HolyShti]

i drained mine with one of those bicycle pump looking things used to do brake lines & stuff.

[mobil1]

Be careful. Most people that start messing with the power steering pump end up with a leak.

[Balthazarr]

Be careful. Most people that start messing with the power steering pump end up with a leak.

Draining with a baster or syringe-like device is not going to produce a leak.
Besides, most leaks are from the lines and are easily repairable.
If you get a leak from turning lock to lock when refilling, you are in better shape than finding out when driving.

[ChosenGSR]

Good info in here. Today I replaced the OEM clip with another one, hopefully it'll fix the leaking issue for now. It's too cold to replace it all. I must say that the power steering fluid looked chocolate milk. I did as previously mentioned to flush it.

[EURO M3 CSL]

yea.. i flushed mine 2 times and it still came out chocolate milk. i did what u guys did and move the steering wheel left to right to left to right.. it came out clean. i drove it out.. came back to check and its chocolate milk again. :help

[Balthazarr]

yea.. i flushed mine 2 times and it still came out chocolate milk. i did what u guys did and move the steering wheel left to right to left to right.. it came out clean. i drove it out.. came back to check and its chocolate milk again. :help

Do it again.
At least you know there is mostly fresh fluid in there now.

[raoke]

What kind of fluid do you guys use?

[Balthazarr]

I used D4 ATF which according to Redline meets Dexron III spec.

[sirius600]

Any advantage to using that CHF brand fluid thats used on the newer BMWs?

[Balthazarr]

Any advantage to using that CHF brand fluid thats used on the newer BMWs?

I thought that was the spec?
Go to Redline and check.

[pbonsalb]

There is a right way to do it, but ideally you need two people. You pull the return hose to the resevoir and put it into a bucket or bottle (1 gallon is plenty). Extend the hose if necessary with a splce and some old hose. Your friend has to be ready to pour new fluid into the resevoir -- have two quarts ready with caps off. Start the car and watch the fluid coming out go from brown to clean. You may have to stop and start the car a couple of times to slow the process down. You should also stop to turn the wheel back and forth. People have done this off the starter motor in cars in which the fluid comes out too fast while the engine is running. Pull the injector harness lead to avoid fueling the car. Don't crank for more than about 15 seconds at a time. This is hard on the starter and the battery.

Philip Bradley

[earthwormjim]

yea.. i flushed mine 2 times and it still came out chocolate milk. i did what u guys did and move the steering wheel left to right to left to right.. it came out clean. i drove it out.. came back to check and its chocolate milk again. :help

You're gonna have to do it around 4-6 times to completely flush out the old fluid.

I went through a whole quart of fluid before I got rid of all the old black stuff.

[wheresmym3]

There is a right way to do it, but ideally you need two people. You pull the return hose to the resevoir and put it into a bucket or bottle (1 gallon is plenty). Extend the hose if necessary with a splce and some old hose. Your friend has to be ready to pour new fluid into the resevoir -- have two quarts ready with caps off. Start the car and watch the fluid coming out go from brown to clean. You may have to stop and start the car a couple of times to slow the process down. You should also stop to turn the wheel back and forth. People have done this off the starter motor in cars in which the fluid comes out too fast while the engine is running. Pull the injector harness lead to avoid fueling the car. Don't crank for more than about 15 seconds at a time. This is hard on the starter and the battery.

Philip Bradley

I like this method better.