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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: paultownsend on 11 August 2007, 19:46

Title: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paultownsend on 11 August 2007, 19:46: i know its been asked a million times before, but i can never find a definitive answer

i had to change my power steering pump, but i cant find which fluid to refill

its a 91'8v pb with a rectangle reservoir and red cap

do i use atf fluid or vw red, or the new vw green colour?

Paul
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Lewy on 11 August 2007, 20:50: Dextron 2! Some people say buy the VW stuff, but thats generally from the people who sell it. My Mk2 has had Dextron 2 in it from the moment I bought it, and I put it in customers cars and have never had a problem with it.

You can buy it from any good motor factors, but beware Halfords will bite your arm off for it.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Bluefox on 11 August 2007, 22:50: Quote from: Lewy on 11 August 2007, 20:50
You can buy it from any good motor factors, but beware Halfords will bite your arm off for it.

Yes. It's about Ã‚£8/litre at retail. Don't buy it from us!
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paultownsend on 12 August 2007, 00:13: so its definately the Dextron 2

i believe castroll do a range at halfords.i get trade there and it works out very good value.

it definatley wont be too thin and leak through rack seals? (my main fear!)

the stuff was certainly very dirty when it came out, and had lots of deposits

Paul
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: rowlers on 12 August 2007, 09:00: sorry to hijack, but how do you empty the fluid?? Is it a job worth doing - i.e. changing the fluid?
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paultownsend on 12 August 2007, 10:23: looking at the condition mine was in after my pump was leaking, it was definately in need of a change.
it was almost slugge like, full of moisture and contaminated with corroded metal
def worth a change!

just undo top and bottom hoses and drain out hoses, also worth spinning the pump manually, it holds a supprising ammount of fluid

Paul
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: rowlers on 12 August 2007, 10:43: how much fluid needed to fill back up?
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: DarnPB on 12 August 2007, 22:51: Quote from: Bluefox on 11 August 2007, 22:50
Quote from: Lewy on 11 August 2007, 20:50
You can buy it from any good motor factors, but beware Halfords will bite your arm off for it.

Yes. It's about Ã‚£8/litre at retail. Don't buy it from us!
LOL :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:
A Halfords man with a concience. I like it!!
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paultownsend on 13 August 2007, 00:18: just an update. mine only needed less than a litre of atf dex 2.the red stuff (hope its the right stuff!

the steering is so light now, and dare i say it, the car handles better?

maybe just a mental thing, but worth Ã‚£8!
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Chris-White on 13 August 2007, 01:30: im mid way through doing this at the moment as part of an engine swap. How do you bleed the system after refilling?
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: Lewy on 13 August 2007, 09:12: Literally start the car up and turn the wheels from lock to lock with the resevoir cap off.
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: jettagolf on 13 August 2007, 10:38: i was told from a vw expert not to use any fluid other than the vw green stuff in any vw car as it could cause serious problems to the whole pas system he wasn't trying to sell me fluid or anything he just said not to use anything other than the green stuff, and at Ã‚£6.69 per litre from the stealers it gives you the piece of mind the system has the proper stuff in it
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: paultownsend on 13 August 2007, 10:52: I believe , and Haynes says ATf (red) before mk3 and vw spec (green) mk3 onwards
Title: Re: Power Steering Fluid
Post by: rubjonny on 17 August 2007, 17:56: Yep MK2s are DEFINITLY ATF/Dexron II except for isolated examples like some diesels & G60 models. If you are in any doubt, look at your reservoir it clearly says what fluid you shoud use on top ;)
MK3 onwards use VW fluid, the difference are the seals in the system and the pumps are able to cope with the thinner fluid, MK2 pumps & seals need the thicker ATF otherwise they leak and make nasty noises ;)