Date:         Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:24:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: is power steering fluid generic?
Comments: To: hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

If you suddenly needed to add power steering fluid, you have a leak. The
worst leak is one you don't see. Especially when embarking on a trip. The
most likely unseen power steering fluid leak is the rack. If the rack leaks
and the boots are still good, they will hold a lot of liquid before the leak
makes it to the ground and becomes obvious. If you can't see the leaks,
squeeze the boots. If there is any sign of fluid in there, you need a rack.

While ATF is not universal, the Vanagon power steering demands are not that
tight. Originally, the spec was for Dexron ATF. VW later changed it to the
synthetic fluid as used in the Audi's. In the aftermarket, this is the
Pentosin 11.7 or 7.1 fluids. The 7.1 is for superior low temparature
operation. It also leaks readily and is crazy expensive.

My choice has been the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.  This stuff with 2-3 year
changes seems to make the racks last longer. You would be surprised how much
crud gets into these systems.

Dennis
Yes, the FUN BUS stil has the original rack at 249K.


>From: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: is power steering fluid generic?
>Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:47:53 -0400
>
>Thanks, got it. Now going out for a spin to see if I have any problems.
>(I'd better not, I have to get to Everybus on Thursday!)
>
>
>
>
>
>Joy
>
>
>
>
>
>****************************************************************
>Joy Hecht
>now living in a real house in northern Virginia
>and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
>now living in the driveway and resting after two and a half years
>lugging Joy and her stuff around...
>
>For musings about life traveling in the van or living in one place:
>http://www.joyhecht.net
>
>****************************************************************
>
>
>   _____
>
>From: Loren Busch [mailto:starwagen@gmail.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 3:57 PM
>To: Joy Hecht
>Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>Subject: Re: [VANAGON] is power steering fluid generic?
>
>
>
>RE: Power Steering Fluid
>Bently specifies Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid.