Power steering fluid

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Sailorsam101

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Any body know the exact spec of VP power steering fluid? My existing one is red and i prefer halfords prices!

Is it just ATF or does it have a certain spec?
 
As far as I'm aware it's all interchangeable, TQF, ATF, PAS whatever they call the red stuff these days.

I use it in lieu of the clear Hydraulic fluid in my old steering, and no issues 6 years later, every website suggests they are fine to swap...
 
I would use ATF Dexron II or higher. Or a ISO 15 hydraulic oil, but likely more difficult to obtain than ATF from Halfords. But if you have to top it up then you are losing it somewhere, so worth looking for the tell tale signs of a leak.
 
Colour is irrelevant and it depends on the year as to which specification it is; colour is only dye.

Look up the specifications for your model and year and work to those specifications or higher, alternatively you can go to sites such as Opie Oils as they list the specifications for every product they sell.
 
Just want to know, is it necessary to change the steering fluid after certain period, like changing gearbox oil etc ?
 
Power steering is a fairly simple hydraulic system and would probably run on many oils the likelyhood is it has atf in it being red although you do get red hydraulic oils. Atf is probably way over the minimum requirement for the system. No requirement to change it unless it gets contaminated for some reason eg water ingress.
I like atf in my power steering systems as if you get a leak its easy to determine which system its from
 
Power steering fluid is usually just that. Most cases any will do.
Perhaps I’d be more Concerned as to why you need it. You’ll likely be well aware I’m sure.
Usually an uninterrupted hydraulic system will remain clean as a whistle for many many years, unless she has a leak or drawing air.
All the best.
 
superheat6k said:
No this is a common misconception because engine oil degrades. Oil in gearboxes, hydraulic systems, etc., doesn't so in theory should last for 50 + years.
Click to expand...

This is inappropriate advice.
You should have a change regime of power steering fluid .Its debatable regarding the Fq which basically depends on usage hrs, but nether the less it’s needs changing at some point .

Here’s why

The rubber seal integrity.

Over time and usage dirt and microscopic wear particles contamination increases the abrasive concentration of the fluid and if left to acclimate it will cause acceleration of wear in any seals in the pump and rams .

Same applies to any high pressure hydraulic oil system you flush it periodically [ you decide the Fq ] to dilute abrasive contamination created by the extreme pressures in the moving parts of the pump .

Power steering fluid also looses it effect and becomes spongy with heat exposure .Perhaps not relevant in a boat “ steering feel “ but worth consideration depending on the set up .

You feel this phenomenon more the higher the pressure the quicker the system. Take Ferrari’s F1 gearbox In sport mode gear changes can be done in around 1/10 th of a sec , or put another way a fair few inside one second if you wish .
Heat it’s gets hot degrades the gear change speed and the thing sometimes starts to struggle to achieve the exact very high pressures necessary leading to fluffed ( and embarrassing :)) changes .
New / fresh oil which is basically power steering fluid keeps that gear change speed where it should be .

In a boat you are looking at the increase of abrasive content as the main reason for a flush if it’s your intention to keep the boat .
Draw some out of the reservoir and replenish a few times thus diluting any accumulated abrasive.

Gearbox oil
The metal to metal with the cogs and plates means with time again abrasive contamination build up .
Twin disc iirc every 2 years or 400 hrs .
Yup it goes in clear , well almost and comes out considerably darker after 2 years .
The long chain molecules get broken under the higher pressure so it eventually degrades .Theses plenty of bearings who’s longevity is linked to oil quality.
They are not fill and forget if that what “50 years “ means ?
 
Last edited:
Portofino said:
This is inappropriate advice.
Click to expand...
OK perhaps 50 years was flippant, however Twin Disc state 1000 hours for an oil change, which for my boat is 28 years. This would be 10 years for a typical 100 hour per annum boat. However, I am not sure mention of a Ferrari F1 car has any relevance whatsoever in the context of pleasure boats, and I doubt the hydraulic steering fluid on a boat is that stressed. A far more common reason for changing such oils would be due to leaks or service failure of components.
 
superheat6k said:
OK perhaps 50 years was flippant, however Twin Disc state 1000 hours for an oil change, which for my boat is 28 years. This would be 10 years for a typical 100 hour per annum boat. However, I am not sure mention of a Ferrari F1 car has any relevance whatsoever in the context of pleasure boats, and I doubt the hydraulic steering fluid on a boat is that stressed. A far more common reason for changing such oils would be due to leaks or service failure of components.
Click to expand...

http://www.twindisc.com/wp-content/...-Trans-Owners-Manual-1016313_RevH_0116_CD.pdf

Page 8 “ Or every 6 months”
That’s very Fq for most leisure boaters imho .

Needs regularly changing not a “man maths “ equation leading to decades and potential neglect .

As said it does darken with use and time for me every 2 years which equates to 150 hrs is what I have adopted, but others need to make there own assessments .

Re the F1 box analogy,I did qualify it but again it emphasises the point ( or counter point ? ) you made inferencing PAS fluid is fit n forget , while I say it is not and you certainly feel it , it’s degradation in obviously higher pressure higher speed scenarios .
Race cars change gearbox and F 1 fluid every race .

There may be boaters on here with wishy washy steering feel that’s gradually crept up over the “28 years “ .
Ok on a boat who cares ?
Autopilot issues , tracking issues etc .When all it needs is simple PAS fluid flush to tighten the whole thing up , and of course prolong the life of any seals .
Those with obsolete parts components should be more preventatively maintenance minded .Certainly not do nothing with the PAS fluid or G box oil s
 
I have to agree with superheat regarding power steering on a boat. When was the last time you changed the steering oil in your car? Probably never and your car runs 100's of hours more than your boat.
The likelyhood is the engines will need to be removed or at least the steering cooler removed for cleaning necessitating fresh oil in the steering system well before any significant degradation or debris contamination will occur. Steering oil can imho be regarded as filled for life.
Many automotive gearboxes and rear axles are filled for life BMW dont recommend any oil changes in their autoboxes mearly stating they are filled for life ( although sensible owners do get the oil changed after high miles)
 
Interesting story perhaps?

I noticed a small drip on my hydraulic (NON PAS) steering around 6 months ago.

Sadly, it didn't go away, like I hoped it would. Unsurprisingly :p

So I bought some Millers 'Pp;oiwer steering leak fixing fluid' and replaced the existing PAS fluid, which expands the seals and sorts out leaks...

The result was horrible.

Really really heavy and slow steering, totally unusable. Clearly higher viscosity as well as the additives!

So, I replaced this a week later with some normal PAS fluid, not a big job but a bit more cost and time.

Three months later, the steering is back to normal, but with no leaks at all!

I guess the stuff worked, even though it was removed a week after fitting.

Worth £20, would have cost much much more to repair the rams :encouragement:
 
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