should power steering fluid be muddy?

**third_shift|studios** · 11-21-2005, 02:05 PM

i noticed that my car perioded all over the place after driving it for about 3 miles...looked all over [scared that it was another coolant issue] and i traced it back to my power steering. I cracked open the top and noticed that its really muddy and VERY low. So i added some new fluid and am posing the question: should the fluid be that ugly in color?

**Blitzed** · 11-21-2005, 05:03 PM

How long has it been in there? that fluid needs to be flushed and replaced ect

**third_shift|studios** · 11-21-2005, 06:20 PM

calb80: i think it's leaking from the side of the power steering, or just above it where the radiator hose crosses it; but i compared the color of the fluid on the ground to the murky power steering fluid in they are the same, so i know it's not coolant

Blitzed: i don't know how long the murkyness has been there, but i just saw the fluid all over the place like it was for the first time tonight. I poured new stuff in [like 5 hours ago] and it hasn't moved yet...

**calb80** · 11-21-2005, 06:48 PM

you might wanna do a ps flush... someone may have put atf fluid in there as opposed to ps fluid... ive been lookin around on the net as to what it might be and they say that if atf fluid is used it breaks down alot quicker and it varnishes everything up inside of there and can lead to serious bad things... if you know for a fact that there hasnt been any atf put in there get your car up on some jack stand or something of that nature and look under there really good, find out exactly where its leakin out of you may have blown one of the o-rings on the ps gear box or something like that... also check the boots on the tie rods make sure they arent ripped or the clamps arent broken. check see if they are dry around them as well

**calb80** · 11-23-2005, 10:13 AM

have you had any luck with your ps yet or ???

**GatorSS** · 11-23-2005, 09:53 PM

Muddy is no good.

Flush and fill it. Check it frequently for evidence of a deeper problem.

**76ls1bird** · 11-25-2005, 05:07 AM

red line makes a good synthetic PS oil.

**02z28ls1** · 11-25-2005, 06:37 AM

My power steering pump developed a slight leak behind the pulley-I sucked the old fluid out (a turkeybaster works for this,and thanksgiving is over anyways-haha)and refilled with some new fluid.Seems to have slowed the leak down to virtually nil,but it wasnt much of a leak to begin with.My car has only 28,000 miles on it but I've heard of f-body pwr str leaks on them before.Definetly change that fluid and see if it doesnt help.

**mikeaford** · 12-14-2005, 09:41 AM

my power steering box leaked I took the taks of changing the box out but cracked the plastic pulley on the reinstall got frustrated and took it to the dealer instead of just buying a new 30 dollar pulley and trying it again cost me over $300 to have the system put back together and I was almost there. Persistence and patience are key! Be careful on what you do and don't quit - unless you need it for work soon...