is power steering fluid corrosive to paint?

[Goz]

I did my first power steering fluid change today (84,000miles) and just as well because it was black

I used Paul W's excellent instructions.

I'm a really clumsy bastard and managed to spill quite a bit of fluid down the insides of the car (should have got the right sized bucket).

I cleaned it up as best as I could, should I be worried about any painted parts on the inside that it spilled on?

Thanks

Goz

[mkoneman]

no you will be fine its only a oil

[Goz]

Thanks James, that's a relief!!

[harpersimon]

so that prodecure is as explained then? (about to use it myself)

The first paragraph is wrong though - as all the work is done through the supply line and NOT the return line. The first part says remove the clamp from the Return line and remove the hose..

Apart from that its all good yes? What Fluid did you use?

[Goz]

Yes, I noticed that too. I was about to ask Paul, but then I decided to just go by the pictures. Its definitely the supply line (smaller one) at the bottom which you unplug.

Otherwise it went fine, would have been better with the right sized bucket. The dark caught me so I rushed a bit and ran the supply pipe over the top of return pipe when I put it back, so thats a thing to watch out for. Also worthwhile checking the clamps on the radiator side after you have been moving the pipes around. The Oeticker clamp on my return pipe was loose, so I sqeezed it a bit with the oetiker pliers 'till it was tight, I didn't think to buy the retrun pipe clamps.

I got 3 litres of Audi fluid from the local dealer, it was something like £7 per litre. I ended up using almost all 3.

Just remembered another thing, have a stop watch with you when running the engine and stick to 4 seconds as Paul said. On the second run I over-filled the reservoir so I ran it for 6 second, but it sucked it all up and I just switched the engine off on time.

good luck.

[harpersimon]

didn't have any issue running the car for short time then? Sometimes they don't like starting if only started and stopped for seconds.. Moved mine once to get another car on the drive then spent the next ten mins cranking it like a Mk1 escort!

I think he must have his Supply and Return mixed up too. If its the smaller hose you unplug and use for the change, as thats the one that has oil pumped out - then surely thats the return line BACK to the reservoir -?

Either way I'll use the one in the pic for the change!

[Goz]

I think I have had that problem too once or twice, although this time it was ok even though it ran for only 4 seconds at a time.

I too was confused because I thought of supply as supplying the pump, and return as returning to the reservoir. I guess you can also think of it from the pump's point of view, supply coming from the pump and return as returning to the pump.

[harpersimon]

Ah - you have a good point.. yeah I see that now! thats the way its written I guess