Do you check the power steering fluid with the engine running or with the engine off? Also, for a 2002 XC70, the owners manual says to use ATF in the power steering resevoir. Is that any ole ATF, or some special Volvo ATF?

Thanks,

Tom

 

I always check it with it off.
Also I would use this for the steering fluid.

 

Definitely engine off. *I have seen folks with a big mess on their hands checking it with the car running*

 

I was just gonna ask about opening fluid container when car is running but psaboic answered it. So, I guess fluid is suppose to leak out if car is hot? That's whats happening to my 2001 v70 xc for few days already. When cold everything is fine, no strange noises or problems with ps. After about half an hour of driving it becomes noisy, obviously more when turning. I opened container and fluid started pouring out, little bit of foam on the top. Tech, is it bad ps pump or something else? Why is it only doing it when hot?
thanks!

 

The fluid will expand when it gets hot, so the fluid level in the reservoir will increase some

 

I understand that. My question was regarding pump making noise only when hot?! Could fluid be bad? Or is it pump?
thanks!

 

The bottle itself might be bad. Remove the cap and look inside the bottle. With a flashlight look inside where the little hose attaches at the top. There should be a plastic tube from there to the bottom of the bottle. Sometimes that fall off. Then when the car warms up the fluid will airate and cause a noise.

 

Hey tech, u were right on the money. That tube was disconected. Bought new power steering container, put it in and problem fixed. Thanks!

 

Glad it is all cool now!!

 

Once again I learned something new..... Tech is definitely Da' Man

 

Hi Tech,

I am having a similar problem, I tried looking inside the reservoir as you suggest.

I can see a little hose sticking out about two inches, very near the fluid level line. Does this sound right? It doesn't seem to match your description, but I can't really visualize what you are saying. Should it go all the way to the bottom? Could that be sucking air and causing the noise+foamy fluid+groaning noise at operating temps?

Thank you!!

Barbara

---
'01 XCV70

 

Your bottle is bad. There should be a plastic tube that goes almost all the way to the bottom.

 

Thank you VERY much. I hunted around for drawings or photos to help answer my question, but I found none. Your help is very appreciated.

Barbara

 

Here you go.
Broken one


Good one


Hope this helps.

 

Wow, I wasn't expecting you to put a picture out! Wow, thanks two million.
That is very helpful, yes!

A thousand bows in your general direction, oh great one. :-)

Barbara

 

I had the pics saved it just took a couple of minutes to find them.

Your welcome.

 

I saw that a previous poster replaced his reservoir b/c of this problem. Is this necessary, or can I reach in there w/ something and reattach it?

It isn't connected to anything at the bottom, is that right? It sticks down low so that it doesn't suck air, I am thinking?

Thanks again!
Barbara

 

You might be able to get it back out of there. But it would be best to replace the bottle.
It will eventually fall again.

 

Does the '01 V70 one look like that as well? I don't have a tube like that in mine and I've having some odd steering issue.

 

The gunk stuff says you can't mix it with ATF, but that's what's in there now isn't it? Is it ok to mix it with what's already in there if you just drain the resevior and refill it?