How to top up power steering fluid

[Mark Elder]

For those who read my "noise" thread: I have the car back [] (temporarily) because I can't find anyone who has capacity until late April to have my car blocking a ramp while the steering rack is away being re-conditioned, plus the diagnosis is that the leak is very slow and I can get away with driving it, as long as I keep an eye on the fluid level and top up when needed.

That's OK if I can work out how to top up. I've never tried to check the level before but I've just done so and discovered how well hidden the reservoir is. Pretty awkward even to open up/close. Is there a trick to move it out and accessible to pour in fluid or do I need to fabricate a feed tube and a funnel? (I'm expecting the latter but thought first I'd check there's no obvious trick).

There's probably an OPPSFT (official Porsche power steering fluid tool at £500)

PS seems odd to me that Porsche don't make the reservoir of clear plastic like everyone else (even in 1990s). The plastic dipstick idea is very old-school.

Thanks

 

[Dekker]

I use one of those large plastic syringes which allows me to withdraw fluid and then replenish with fresh fluid. It comes with a long flexible tube.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-380451-Oil-Suction-500cc/dp/B004BS70FK/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_263_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DS45NQKTNBC332VH4D4T

 

[clyde]

A lot of the power steering fluid containers come with an extendable spout, which make the whole process very easy Mark.
You might also want to consider topping it up with Lucas power steering leak stop. If it’s only leaking seals this stuff will seal them.

 

[Mark Elder]

Thanks both of you. Syringe and stop-leak ordered.

 

[Dekker]

Every 2-3 years I change the brake and power steering fluids as part of my servicing routines and the syringe is very helpful for the power steering fluid change as there is no easy way to drain the fluid. So I extract as much dirty fluid from the reservoir, then clean the syringe before topping up with fresh clean fluid.
Then I start the car and move the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple of times to make sure the clean fluid has mixed with the old before stopping the engine and repeating the procedure. Eventually after about 4 goes I'm only extracting clean fluid.