I've searched for an answer to this topic but can't find none. I have a '98 LX, 213,000 miles. Bought 5 bottles of power steering fluid. The fluid in the bottles are clear. First, I drain the container of the old fluid by disconnecting the bottom hose, fill it up with new fluid, start the car, turn steering wheel lock to lock. Then drain again. But everytime I drain, the fluid comes out to be very dark. I did this till I run out of fluid (5 bottles). Still the fluid is dark after I run the engine. Is this normal or do I need to flush more. Appreciate any guide/comments.

 

Your problem is a filter pad in the bottom of the reservoir that contaminates your new fluid w/ dark particles. Fluid is probably fine, but doesn't look nice and clean. A new reservoir may help (pad is not accessible to clean or replace). However, there may be contaminates inside the steering rack.

good luck

 

I thought there's a fine mesh screen down in the reservoir. I've cleaned it out, it wasn't a filter pad, it came clean without much difficulty. Maybe certain years it's different?

 

Thanks guys for the response. There is a filter mesh screen at the bottom of the reservoir which i cleaned easily but fluid still is dark after the flushes. Any Idea?

 

My guess is that after about the 3rd bottle, you were wasting good PS fluid. They get dark. Sleep better at night knowing that your fluid is in better shape now than it was before.

 

I have started draining and filling the power steering fluid reservoir every oil change since 50K. It was Coca Cola colored then. And once every summer I go through a complete system changeover, using 3 bottles of fluid. I was initially a bit discouraged that the light yellow color would not last very long, but I knew that the new fluid mix was better than before. My guess was older darker fluid still leftover in the rack would mix with new over time. But over the last two years of changes, the fluid has gotten and stayed light yellow.

 

Thanks BigD. Anyway it only cost me $3.00 per bottle. Buckeye, good idea to change it at every oil change. I think I'll just do that. Two years?

 

Hey, after reading my post, I think I was a little harsh on ya. Sorry about that. Personally, I think changing PS fluid at every oil change is a little bit of overkill...maybe once a year or every other year. But everybody's idea here is different, and that is what makes us great.

 

No problem BigD. Non taken. I believe this is why we have a forum - to exchange ideas & offer help/suggestion. Like you said everybody have his/her own idea. These ideas are what will help others decide what regimen to follow on their cars. Again, appreciate all the ideas/suggestions/responses.