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Power Steering Fluid

>>edited: This applies to 944S and possibly S2, so other 944 don't have the switch fitted on the PAS pump.

Please read my issue "WARNING PAS pump... reconnecting the PAS switch or if the cables short at the plug end it "will" fry your loom, I have posted my unfortunate time reconnecting said plug to the PAS switch, I found this on my 944S as it was disconnected, I reconnected it and I shouldn't have as its a known risk if it shorts out will burn part of the loom out....this is my problem now.

Importantly I hope my thread generates responses best how to prevent it happening to others and what to do if it unfortunately happens and how to replace the burnt cabling !!
 
Halfords stuff should be fine.

Maybe you need to find and fix the leak though? :) ATF makes quite a mess..
 
Cheers mate....got a feeling it's just a small leak, and with a gravel drive not the end of the world. What is dexron?
 
My 944S2 had a small PS fluid leak (mostly the return hose to the reservoir) which would return after tightening up the clamp. During a cross country trip I found I needed a good top-up but I had left my bottle of Dexron (red type II) at home. The only fluid I could find at the time was modern clear PS fluid "compatible with European cars" so I topped up with that and crossed my fingers. That was more than 2 years ago and I haven't had to add fluid again. I don't know if the additives in the "modern" fluid are better for seals, etc. or just what happened there but it seems to work well in our old systems - not sure what a complete fill with the "modern" stuff would do - be interesting to hear from anyone who has had to switch over to newer fluids.
 
Many years ago,I bought a 5 L bottle of Comma ATF fluid which is red,& supposedly specced for all suitable car power steering systems & automatic gearboxes.
As it is a sub brand of Esso,one of the few refiners of oil ,I have every confidence in it & have used it(but very little) in various cars since then including various Rovers,BMW's & Porsches.
Have had no problems at all whilst using it,but haven't so far come across the clear "modern" version Bruce used & in any case have most of the bottle contents left.
 
Went for castrol dexron II in the end as I like the green and red bottle...early indications are good with respect to the steering groan...
 
Dexron II is the correct fluid and it is getting hard to find. IIRC you can use III but IV is a no-no. Mine leaked mostly around the hose connection to the reservoir - wept even after tightening. I found myself away from home and needing fluid and all I could find was modern, clear "power steering fluid for European cars". I topped up my reservoir (about 1/4) with this stuff and three years later I have not had to add fluid. No harm seems to have been done but doesn't leak anymore.
Heavy steering...my S2 feels like the manual steering on a 242 Volvo - nowhere close to modern cars - but the fact that you can turn those big tires with one hand when nearly stopped means the assist is working. I can't compare to other 944s so I have to assume mine is "normal". Running the pump low on fluid will bring up the heat which will shorten the life of the seals...more leaks and you certainly don't want to run it dry.
Other than leaks from a pump running the proper speed (therefore pressure) there should be no ill affects from a new belt. When you top up the fluid - start the engine and then turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a couple of times. This should purge any trapped air in the system. Check your fluid level again after you do this.
 
Thanks Bruce, I'll go and have a search for Dexron II and III. Hopefully I've had a hose pop off rather than a major breakage.

As for difficulty of steering, mine is SIGNIFICANTLY harder to steer when the PS isn't working. Yours sounds like it might not be quite right? When working, mine is only a wee bit heavier to steer than my modern Skoda. (Which is a big, hefty estate car with wide wheels)
 
Just throwing this out there - Porsche issued a service bulletin for the 964 and 993 that stated Pentosin CHF power steering fluid could be mixed with and used instead of ATF fluid in the power steering system. I believe the 964 (and perhaps 993) share the same or similar power steering pump to the 944. They switched to power steering fluid in the 90s and stopped using ATF, transcript of the bulletin below.

Pentosin CHF 11S is no longer available but apparently the replacement is CHF 202.

Steering Gear - New Type Oil
Group 4
Number 9606
Model
6 Cyl.
Part Identifier 4800
June 11, 1996
Subject:
New Type Oil for Steering Gear
ATTENTION:
Service Manager / Service Technician
Model Affected:
911 Carrera 2 and 4, Model Years 1989 to 1994,
911 Turbo, Model Years 1991, 1992 and 1994, and
911 Carrera (993) 1995 Model Year on
Concern:
In production, the power assist steering system is now filled with Pentosin CHF 11S fluid (green in color).
General Information:
From the following VIN numbers, the power assist steering system is factory filled with Pentosin CHF 11S fluid:
As of March 25, 1996 from VIN:
99 9 TS 32 3082 Coupe
99 3 TS 34 1781 Cabriolet
99 8 TS 38 5439 Targa
Pentosin has been selected for use because of better and more uniform viscosity behavior at low ambient temperatures.
Vehicles of the model types affected produced before the above mentioned VIN numbers used ATF in the power assisted steering system. It is now permitted to use Pentosin CHF 11S in these vehicles as well.
ATF fluid and Pentosin CHF 11S fluid can be mixed. In vehicles produced before the above mentioned VIN numbers, Pentosin CHF 11S fluid can be used to top off the fluid reservoir.
The 1996 911 Turbo uses Pentosin CHF 11S fluid in the steering and hydraulic assisted clutch systems. In this system, ATF must not be mixed with Pentosin CHF 11S.
Vehicles having repairs made to the steering gear that involve loss of the steering fluid should be refilled with Pentosin CHF 11S fluid.
Parts Information:
Pentosin CHF 11S fluid (1 Liter), part number - 000 043 203 33
 
Thanks DLK.

Just purchased a litre of Dexron II from carparts4less for a very reasonable price. The fluid in there now is red, which I think is Dexron, so I'll stick with that.
 
I have always used Comma (ie Esso) ATF oil which is red to top up any power steered car I've had from Rover SD1 Vitesse through to current BMW's,,a previous 964 & the current 924S my wife drives.My 924S is manual & provided you don't stop ,the steering is as light as any of the others'[:)]
Not used much of it as had no major leaks.
 
Sandspider said:
Thanks Bruce, I'll go and have a search for Dexron II and III. Hopefully I've had a hose pop off rather than a major breakage.

As for difficulty of steering, mine is SIGNIFICANTLY harder to steer when the PS isn't working. Yours sounds like it might not be quite right? When working, mine is only a wee bit heavier to steer than my modern Skoda. (Which is a big, hefty estate car with wide wheels)
Click to expand...



Halfords do Dexron II
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/gearbox-oil/halfords-automatic-transmission-power-steering-fluid-dii-1l

When mine was leaking it was from 2 places. From the reservoir hose (whicj was sorted with a trim and tighten but them from the rack itself. The latter meant I needed to get an exchange rack and its now perfect.

Still heavy compared to a modern car though.

When the fluid dropeed whilst out on the road I took the beklt off so the pump wouldnt get hot.

Ian

 
I checked the reservoir hose and any other easily accessible bits and couldn't find a leak. Judging by the amount of fluid dripping, a pipe has come off somewhere, or there's a big hole. Will try and get under the car this weekend to investigate further. I do hope it's not the rack. What sort of cost was the new / refurbed rack, may I ask?
 
Hmm. Mine does live outside, and the leak is below the OS headlight somewhere...Is that a big job to replace? A quick google suggests it's essentially a coil of tubing tucked into a fairly tight space.

Cheers.
 
That was expensive,

Power Steering Services in South London do a full refurb of your rack for £275

On the 968 to replace the pas cooler you have to dismantle the entire front bumper engine oil cooler and all sorts of bits to get it off but it might be a hose split or a clip rusted off, the bigger issue is you have to take loads off to find the leak
 
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