ford focus pas fluid change

[steveo3002]

got a mk1 focus recently , while checking the pas fluid ive noticed its a nasty black colour

ive never changed /flushed pas fluid before , whats the best way?

im thinking either unbolt the res and empty it as much as i can , then refill run for a while then repeat until its clear

or remove the return pipe on the res and put it in a bucket and run the car while topping up the res until it runs clear..although im not sure does the fluid roar out or trickle out?

any tips or ideas please

 

[octo0072000]

return pipe in a bucket but DO NOT let it run dry of fluid
you could also remove tank wash and clean it first

 

[ford34/2]

Might be worth a look on You tube::
Stan

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=f...-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=NKF2VrziMcaua5mIpPAE

 

[Chris Stevens]

If the fluid is black and has a strange smell, you might very well have a fault as there is no real reason for fluid to need changing in PAS.

 

[steveo3002]

yeah i dunno about a fault , theres enough people online doing the drain the res method

regardless i think it needs fresh fluid so will go from there , if theres a fault then so be it

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I agree with Chris Stevens, PAS should not need changing, unless there is a fault.
Fords have a history of the seals on the cap failing allowing water to entre. GM had similar issues on early Vectors.

The far more common issue is the pump itself and the internal seals.

My advise is to do this.

Suck out as much fluid as you can from the reservoir and wipe out with lint free clean rag.
Refill and run engine, swing the steering from full lock to full lock.
Note the state of the fluid, it will darken. But keep an eye on it.
It it goes manky again you have an issue in the pump or the rack.

You have checked the rack, the pump and the pipes for any noticeable issues?

I look after a 1972 Jag and as far as we know the fluid is the same.

I know some will say it should be, but checking with the refractor scope we see no issues.

 

[pedrobedro]

Get a turkey baster syringe and suck it out of the tank, run, rinse and repeat

 

[steveo3002]

how much do you think the whole system might hold? the res is maybe a coke can size but how much in the rack etc? would a litre do it , its special ford stuff so cant just grab some

 

[pondy]

The fluid will go brown/blackish over time as the pump and rack internals wear, Ford's procedue is to remove the return hose from the res, block off the hole so fluid won't leak out of the bottle then run the hose Into a bucket, top the bottle back up and have some one Start the car and turn the steering from lock to lock while you pour new fluid in making sure not to let the bottle go empty, stop when fluid coming out is clear and reconnect everything.

There is a filter in the bottom of the res. Might be worth taking bottle off and cleaning this before flushing fluid

 

[ajlelectronics]

Get a turkey baster syringe

I have been trying to come up with a family safe response to that and failing.

 

[pedrobedro]

I have been trying to come up with a family safe response to that and failing.

You must have a strangely warped mind aj, what do you use your cooking utensils for at home ?

 

[ajlelectronics]

You must have a strangely warped mind aj, what do you use your cooking utensils for at home ?

Why leave them in a drawer 23 hours out of 24? ;-)

 

[pedrobedro]

Why leave them in a drawer 23 hours out of 24? ;-)

I bet your missus's eyes light up when she sees you with the colander on your head and the rolling pin in your hand

 

[LewisT]

Did in my mk1 focus a few years back replaced the pump at the same time (it was chirping nicely), if its a petrol you can disconnect the injector loom just under the pas bottle, best to get a mate to help, put the return in to a large container bung the hole in the pas bottle, crank the car turning from lock to lock other person refills the pas, it was totally black the stuff that came out of mine new stuff is still red a few years later. Think i used about 3 litres till it was clean red coming out of the return

 

[steveo3002]

got it done , went with the return line in a bucket method

good job it werent my driveway hehe

its still a bit grubby after 1.5 ltrs , might roar some through it another day , but it feels smoother and lighter so must have done some good

cheers all