why would my power steering fluid turn into a milky color, what would cause this?
I recently drained and replaced my steering pump recently, when bleeding the system I noticed that the new fluid I was adding was turning milky colored, should I be worried?
My question is if it's still a milky color. Many PS systems use good ol' ATF and are red in color. Many PS fluids available on the shelf are clear - often the same stuff with no color added. Generally speaking, milky in a high-pressure hydraulic system is an indication of air trapped in the fluid. Was the pump making a "whirring" sound as well? The very best way I know to fill a PS system that has just been worked on is to fill the reservoir, crank the engine till it starts and immediately shut it off. Add more fluid and repeat. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes and the fluid should return to it's natural state. I don't think that your PS cooler is integral to the radiator to cause a cross- contamination failure.
Good morning Tracy. On some of the Police Interceptors they did have a power steering cooler, but all it was is a section of steel line added on the return, the steel line has fins on it to dissipate heat and is maybe 8 inches long, entirely independent. The milky color could be an emulsion of water and fluid if water got in there somehow, and it does need to be changed with new fluid
I've handled dozens of them on but, how the heck does water get into a system that doesn't go anywhere near water? The vehicle listed is not a PI. I've never felt the need to change out a cooler because it is so easily flushed. So why would there be any water?
I am having problem with my 95 Ford Areostar. I had the pump and hoses replaced about six months ago. I am changing the fluid today; however, I would like to know how water could have gotten in there.
The cap is not air tight... on my '89 Aerostar after a recent storm I noticed a little more fluid in the power steering reservoir and fluid was cloudy... water was on the cap so I figured that's it...
2005 cts caddilac power etreeing fluid white
After changing a leaking hose or the pump you will want to bleed the air out of the fluid 1st before attempting to start engine. Jack up both front wheels, turn key to on position to unlock steering wheel. Turn steering wheel slowly back and forth all the way in one direction then all the way in the other direction, the bubbles will find their way upward, ou may have to add more fluid as the fluid level should drop down as the air bubbles work their way upward. Turn off key, leave the car for about 1/2 hour and then check level and repeat another 25 times with steering wheel all the way to right, then left slowly. If you are of the impatient sort and start your engine before getting the air out all you will succeed in doing is cause the pump to blast more air bubbles into the fluid which will only compound the problem of milkiness and excess air bubbles in power steering system.
