Is all power steering fluid the same? I know the cap on the resevoir says to use "Honda Fluid Only" but is the stuff from autozone, pep boys, ect...... fine to use? Mine is slightly below the min line and I want to just top it off.
I would go with the Honda fluid. I did. I got into a car accident 2 summers ago and when I has the car fixed, the garage put in "generic" power steering fluid. Everything was fine and dandy until the winter time. On real cold mornings, when I would start the car, there was this really nasty grinding sound coming from under the hood and it was near around the motor/pump for the PS system. I made some inquiry on this board and someone suggested to change it back to the Honda fluid. I did and the grinding was greatly reduced. That winter there was no more grinding because after I changed it the weather go warmer. However this winter, the grinding is very little and only on really cold mornings. I would use Honda, my 2 cents.
__________________
"There are two Asian girls at work and both of them are dating white guys. I'm like hey what the hell, leave some for me you bastards."
- The Jackhammer 12/2006
Is there a way to drain it all out and refill it again with the new oil? How long should you go between changing it out entirely? Same with brake fluids, how long do they last generally?
from what i was told you have to buy Honda stuff.. or atleast honda spec'ed.. anywyas kragen or ur local car store should sell ps fluid and it should be labeled (for all hondas) or somthing like that
Honda uses a mineral oil based PS fluid, where most other makes use ATF based fluid for the PS. I'm not sure what the result is if you use the ATF based fluid in your system, but do you really want to find out? There are brands that sell Honda type PS fluid in PepBoys, etc.
__________________ Paul
2009 Mazdaspeed3 | 1995 Miata | 1999 Crystal Blue Base - bought 6/13/02, sold 3/11/09
Make sure your engine is off before attempting any of this. The PS system will be under pressure if your engine is on. You have to somehow suck the oil in the reservoir out first. Use a straw or what ever. Just get that out. Then you disconnect the return line into the reservoir. Get an empty plastic milk bottle, the one gallon variety. Put the end of return line you just disconnected into the bottle and get a towel or something. Use the towel to cover whatever space you have at the opening of the bottle because again the PS system will be under pressure when you turn on the engine. Have friend, mother sister, etc. hold the bottle/hose towel contraption. Just let them know that the PS fluid will start shooting out when you turn on the engine. Turn on the engine and turn your steering wheel all the way in one direction. When you can't turn no mo', turn it in the other direction until you hit the end of that turn. That should just about do it. Reconnect the hose and fill 'er up.
Anybody have any other comments??
__________________
"There are two Asian girls at work and both of them are dating white guys. I'm like hey what the hell, leave some for me you bastards."
- The Jackhammer 12/2006
^^^ I did this recently but was not thinking straight (1am..a few beers) and did not hold down the pressure side hose before performing the purge. The Helms doesn't mention its under pressure, I guess its one of those common knowledge (common sense) things. I just blew it and paid an ugly price for my mistake. My Mugen header has never looked the same since the incident
Also, I experienced a very strange whine for a few days after I purged and refilled the system. It was as if the system went dry from the purge and it didn't like it.
Instead of purging the system of all its fluid while running (and take a chance of damaging the pump), my buddy decided to just drain and refill the reservior, run it, then drain and refill again...5 more times. He basically diluted the old stuff until it was gone. His method tanks longer but eliminates the possibility of damaging the pump... or getting PS fluid spewed all over your perfectly immaculate engine (and Mugen). Just my .02
Does the Helms have a write-up in it for replacing the fluid? Mine is BLACK! so instead of just replacing the stuff that is gone I'll do a complete flush. I'll I'll fresh fluid in everything then!!!!
Is there a specific part # or just ask the guys at Honda for PS fluid for 5th Gen Prelude and they'll know? How much is required to completely drain and refill?
ok so it looks like the concensus among the boards is honda ps fluid...don't use royal purple or anything right? see i was just thinking about putting like all "high performance" type fluids in my car *shrugs*
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