Daughter's 97 960 Wagon has started making power steering whining sounds. Suspecting a low fluid level, I checked it. Nearly empty. Very bad.

I found a half full bottle of power steering fluid in the secret compartment below the cargo area, leading me to believe there may be an undisclosed leak in the pump, hoses or *gulp* steering rack.

In the meantime, I want to refill the pump. The manual says to use ATF, although all of my research on ATF says that there is no such thing. There are a variety of choices for Automatic Transmission Fluid such as Dexron, Mercon, Mercon V, ATF+4 and several others, but none are called "ATF."

The bottle in the boot says "Power Steering Fluid" and is from Super Tech, Walmart's house brand. The fluid it contains is clear. Automatic transmission fluid is nearly always red or green.

Can I use the Power Steering Fluid until I figure out the source of the leak?

If not, what kind of ATF should I use?

Thanks, as always.

az

 

Dexron/Mercon works. Multi-vehicle ATF works too. Negative on Mercon V, or ATF+4. Negative on Power Steering Fluid too.

Use same fluid as 960's transmission. Capacity is about 1 quarter.

 

OK then.

So my daughter overheard me mentioning her need for power steering fluid and took the initiative by adding the clear power steering fluid to the pump. I'm proud that she is interested in keeping her car running, but distressed over the potential damage she may have done.

How bad is it to have the wrong fluid in the reservoir? What can I do about it?

I have several quarts of Automatic Transmission Fluid D/M. Would that work, assuming that the mechanism hasn't been destroyed?

 

It wouldn't hurt overnight, yet for an extended period of time it might. You can drain the fluid very easy -- disconnect the return line, which is the one with the worm-clamps, about 16-20" running from the pump downward.

Return line be the leaky line anyways. You can even replace it -- I think a 3/8" transmission cooler hose and 2 new clamps would work. About $ 5 of parts.

You can't confuse it with the high-pressure line, because HP line requires wrenches to disconnect.

Some racks actually do leak. Some stop-leak products might help. The option is that if it leaks too much, rack needs to be rebuilt.

Start with the hose first.

 

You're not there yet, but know that these racks are lot easier to replace than the 850s. They can be rebuilt DIY for about $ 60-70, or bought as re-manufactured for about $ 200 (guy in Florida). The end seals leak, due to fluid neglect. These are the same racks as used in several Chevys.

 

...and just to be sure:

Coastal Automatic Transmission Fluid D/M is functional for the power steering reservoir, right?

Description:

Coastal® Automatic Transmission Fluid D/M is recommended for use in automatic transmissions in most GM and Ford vehicles: 1983 through 2005 General Motors cars and light trucks requiring DEXRON®, DEXRON®II, DEXRON®II(E), DEXRON®III(G), or DEXRON®III(H); 1988 and later Fords (except those requiring Type F, V or SP).

Thanks for your great input.

az

 

Yep. That's great.

 

I did as you said and removed the return line. Lo and behold, It was indeed the source of the leak. I replaced the hose with 3/8' transmission cooler line, but I reused the clamps. Any reason they must be replaced? They tightened down nicely.

Thanks for your excellent advice.

az

 

New clamps stay clamped better than older ones. Old ones to tend to loosen up. Just check and re-tighten them.