Re: [FWDLK] P/S & MOAN

[David Homstad <dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Neil,

You are supposed to keep the lid on the reservoir when washing the engine.

I would stick the return hose in a bucket and run the engine to flush out
the old stuff. Keep adding ATF while flushing until it looks clean. Turn the
wheel a half turn left and right to send fresh fluid through the various
passages in the steering box. When the exiting fluid looks clean, let the
reservoir run dry and shut off the engine. Wipe the reservoir out with a
clean cloth if you can, then refill and run again.

If it appears that a slime is still stuck to the walls of the reservoir
after flushing, it may be coating the entire system. Try flushing again with
ATF mixed with alcohol, about 2 parts ATF and 1 part alcohol. Use an alcohol
that is pure, less that 1% water. I would use Isopropyl alcohol, usually
found at your local drug store. Alcohol dissolves both water and oil, so it
should take care of the sludge. This is the same stuff used in fuel line
deicers and doesn't affect rubber seals in the fuel pump. It should be safe
for recirculating a couple of minutes through the whole system, before
flushing again. Check the system for sludge after your next cruise.

Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500

-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of eastern sierra Adj Services
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 11:45 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] P/S & MOAN

Well, tonite I was starting to  detail Horrie's engine compartment , &
used the crummy K-Mart stuff (it foams-up OK, but you gotta scrub the
stuff, to remove grunge; as opposed
to the other stuff I've used, that sprays-on as a liquid, & which
"dissolves"  the grunge, as it 'hits' it--the K-crap didn't even remove
(all of) the grease, that I had got on my hands; I got the bright idea
to try it as a hand-cleaner, too--VERY gentle stuff, but.....
what apparently happened is that I got de-greaser &/or agua into the
power steering
resevoir--took H. for a 'cruise', & the P/S pump
was loudly-groaning (or, was 'that': GROWLING!); got back home &
discovered that I  now had  "cafe' au lait"  circulating  around the P/S
system, instead of "thick-cherry-juice"
( H.D. P/S fluid )!

Sooo, what is the protocol, now, about getting rid of the franken-fluid
that's in there, now?
Can I disconnect the return line, to the resevoir,
and 'collect' the run-off, while I keep applying new fluid-----can I
install/use  ATF, to flush-
out the  "stuff", as there may be a LOT of contaminated-fluid in  the
system?

Then, when the 'return' fluid starts to look RED
(using the ATF;  I'm pretty sure that I can just keep the ATF in there),
do I just install H.D.
P/S fluid, to top-off the resevoir?

I like coffee, but NOT in the P/S system!!

Neil Vedder