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minesfaster
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2005
13:11:40
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 Subject: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
2000 4.7 2wd clubcab. At around 70,000 miles the steering all of a sudden started making a growling noise and was hard to turn. I looked at the fluid and it was litterally cooked. It even smelled burnt. I replaced it and now about every 4000 miles or so, I have to replace the fluid again because it is cooked. What in the *&^%* is going on here?
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rick
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2005
14:32:58
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I'd be interested in hearing about this as well. is power steering fluid supposed to changed every so often? I'm getting a noticiable growl when turning, but only after the truck has warmed up quite a bit. The fluid in my also looks pretty nasty. I asked a buddy of mine, who's mechanical opinion I trust, about it, and he doesn't think power steering fluid goes bad or wears out. I tend to agree. I've had at least 6 vehicles over the past 25 years and don't recall ever having to replace the fluid. anyhow...
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Rustywrenches
Dodge Dakota
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5/13/2005
18:22:28
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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I doubt that the fluid can actually wear out but we change it on long haul semi's at regular intervals due to the contamination and debris that accumulates in the oil.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2005
00:56:33
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
P/S fluid is just like any other fluid,,, it's going to need changing at some point. At 60K on my 00 4.7 the P/S fluid was brown, burnt and NASTY. I completely drained and filled the P/S system with ATF+3, completely drained again and refilled with Amsoil Universal ATF. When I wrecked the truck at 140K the Amsoil Universal ATF still looked great in the P/S system.
After wrecking the 00 I got an 03 which I changed over to all synthetic fluids quickly. At 30K on the 03, the P/S fluid was starting to look bad, so I changed it over to Amsoil while doing the tranny service.
I think I remember seeing the P/S fluid service recommended by the dealer at 30K. But you know how that is, dealers recommend everything being serviced including repacking the muffler bearings and changing the air in the tires ;-)
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minesfaster
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2005
18:10:49
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I understand that it may need to be changed once in a while. What I want to know is why it's getting burned up in 4000 miles? There must be a problem somewhere.
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choochoo
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2005
22:26:15
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
Hey DSW, you ever try helium in your tires after draining out the old air?
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Dakster
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2005
10:22:12
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
Try using some LUCAS power steering fluid or additive. Good stuff - saved my pump.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/15/2005
14:52:11
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
How much of the fluid are you replacing and how are you replacing the fluid?
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minefaster
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2005
15:17:05
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I replace all the fluid in the reservoir, I use a turkey baster to get as much as I can. I don't see how putting in a synthetic is going to solve the problem.
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DSW
Dodge Dakota
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5/16/2005
00:18:16
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
Ahhhh, I bet you only got 25% of the fluid out of the system if your trying to suck it out of the reservoir. If your replacing 25% of the fluid, the burnt fluid is not being replaced, it's being diluted. The only way you will solve the problem is to get all of that burnt fluid out of the system.
To get almost all of the fluid out of the system you need to disconnect the pump lines from the rack and the 2 other fittings on the tube of the rack. Let the system drain and work the wheels to the left and right while the truck is on jack stands and the engine off. Once you have all the old fluid out, reconnect the fittings, refill the reservoir, start the engine, refill the reservoir, turn to the left, refill the reservoir, turn to the right, refill the reservoir, drive around the block, refill the reservoir.
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minesfaster
Dodge Dakota
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5/16/2005
08:25:26
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
Thanks DSW, that makes sence I'll try that.
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Danny
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2006
10:59:38
|  RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I am having the same problem on my 2001 Dakota, its making alot of steering noise when it warms up and my fluid is full but burnt, I was going to replace the pump, but after reading this I will just try flushing/replacing the fluid first.
It even makes noise when im not turning the wheel and gets higher pitched when i rev the enging and its louder when I turn the wheel left to right, anyone had to replace the pump due to these same issues??? Thanks
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minesfaster
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2006
21:09:29
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I drained the entire rack like DSW said and it worked for a couple of months, but it started doing it again. I replaced the pump about 6 months ago and it solved the problem.
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jpkomm
Dodge Dakota
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1/16/2006
22:35:21
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
Approximately how much fluid does it take to flush out the power steering system?
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corjunk
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2006
17:08:10
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
I always change my fluid regularly by disconnecting the p/s return line at the resivoir and capping off the fitting. Aim the return line into a drain pan or somthing. Have an assistant start the truck and turn the steering wheel lock to lock, while you are pouring in new fluid in the resivoir.That way you are able to flush out the system and replace all the fluid. I use amsoil universal synthetic atf, and it works great. p/s fluid is like any other fluid and needs to be changed from time to time. Heat and contaminants destroy the fluid which will lead to pump failure,etc.
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ewraven
Dodge Dakota
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1/21/2006
17:38:19
| RE: cooked steering fluid
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Message:
This explains why my Dakota has a power steering cooler on it. It's down there right above and to the side of the power steering pump. My truck is a 1999 4x4 with the 31x10.50R15 tires and the tow package.
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