Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 19:49:43 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: leaking power steering?
In-Reply-To: <4FDA4399DE85B64492288F4C5591C0AC369A7F@NCONORC9>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
I believe in changing the fluid every two years. I use the Mobil 1
synthetic ATF. My rack now has 191K on it with no leaks yet! Leaking
racks is a common occurrence for many cars. Don't blame the previous
owner for the wrong fluid as I often did with Audi 5000s, (60K rack
replacement as standard maintenance). If it didn't already leak, the
wrong fluid would not have been added. Besides brake fluid, most any oil
will not cause a problem in a healthy rack or pump.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Beckham, Chip
Sent: Wednesday, September 18, 2002 9:30 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: leaking power steering?
Does anyone have any PM recommendations for the PS system? (filter
change?,
fluid flush?). Also, if you suspect the wrong fluid may have been
added, is
there relief in a preemptive flush before seal degradation may occur?
Chip Beckham
85 GL weekender
-----Original Message-----
From: Barry E. Muller [mailto:bmuller@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 5:33 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: leaking power steering?
Hallo Herr Preiss,
Apparently my '91 Carat had the same problem. I say apparently because
although I usually do most of the owrk on my cars I currently have run
out
of time so I took it to the local dealership for other work and they
discovered the leaky rack (I knew it was leaking but didn't think it was
a
safety issue - at the time). Bad news for me was that the PO, or more
likely the local crummy independant VW shop, put in the wrong PS fluid.
This apparently ate all the seals. As you can imagine I'm still
smarting
from the financial strain this caused (they had to cut off the metal
lines
and replace them too because they were rusted onto the old rack). I
hope
your outcome is just a satisfactory, albeit cheaper.
bem
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joachim Preiss" <jp0815@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 4:16 PM
Subject: leaking power steering?
> Hi there,
>
> Crawled under my 85 westfalia last weekend, and found drops of a red
fluid
on
> both of the rubber boots on the front axle, and 2 small puddles on the
ground.
> I might have found the reason why turning the wheel feels more like
lifting
> the beast around the corner rather than power steering.
>
> Is power steering fluid red? Am I risking further damage if I keep
driving
> with a leaky power steerer? Most of all: is it safe to drive? Any
other
tips
> besides: CYFB (Check your f.....g Bently).
>
> Thanks!
> 'chimpy
>
> '85 Westfalia 'funagon'
