Power steering fluid

[Keshan_G]

Hi Guys,

so my power steering pump died last week.
Yesterday I got a replacement pump and installed it, now being a public holiday there were limited spare shops opened, and to my luck the spare shop that I found didn't have the greenish power steering fluid that was in my power steering reservoir, instead they gave me a pinkish fluid (ATF Fluid)

Would it be advisable to use this in the time being? What would the repercussions be of using this fluid?

I have test drove the car, and the steering is like brand new, soft and newish feeling.. However the pump does get noisy when excessively turning the steering wheel and when I lock the steering wheel there is a whine.
Could this be because of the fluid?

What fluid do I need to get? Can I get it from any goldwagen or do I have to buy it from VW?

Thank you

[panic-mechanic]

You can get the correct fluid from GW but now getting the ATF out is going to be hell.
ATF will eat the seals on the rack and pump so change it sooner rather than later. And don't ever do that again. rather wait another day till you can get the right fluid.

[Keshan_G]

Thanks panic, will do this as soon as possible..

any ideas on how to bleed this system? I know there is two pipes at the back of the pump, the one you bolt in and the other has a clamp on it. Would it be okay if i loosen the one with the clamp and let the ATF fluid drain out while topping up with the correct power steering fluid, while i get someone else to turn the steering wheel...

[panic-mechanic]

Yup have to undo pipes and try all kinds of stuff. Painfull excersize and you use a lot of fluid to get it clean. Much much much way much eaiser never to contaminate the system than trying to clean it out.

[HendrikCTI]

Just curious on this one Panic.
My Nissan's power steering fluid cap says use only ATF Dextron 4.
Is the VW system different and using a special fluid?

[panic-mechanic]

Yup uadi /vw/porsche / bmw/mercedes use a specific hydraulic fluid and not atf. The reason was that they run on higher pressures and atf was not good enough to protect the components from wear. The downside is that it is not commonly found at garage forecourts and the seals in the system is not atf compatible so besides wearing the pump it also causes the rack and pump seals to start leaking.
You will not believe how many cars i get with noisy pumps and shaky steering that has had the system filled or topped up with atf.

[eraser]

Hey panic.

Ive been floating around on the forum for a.while just learning from all the posts. I have a questio that ties into this thread.

Is this ps fluid only on later models or do all the vw's use this fluid and not atf?
Driving a jetta 3 cli. Had atf in since I got the car.

[panic-mechanic]

Jetta 3 needs the vw specific one. Atf is incorrect.

[eraser]

That confirms it then thank you so much sir. Ill be trying to get the system flushed.

[panic-mechanic]

Basically no golf or jetta that had PS ever took aft. Very early audis did but that was also only till like the early 90's

[eraser]

Cool thanks for the info

[dubz-on-drugz]

I read this all now ..damn I filled atf in my car just 5mins ago .it was suggested to at petrol garage .but it was just a top up barely 50ml .

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[panic-mechanic]

petrol garages don't have a clue that vw requires a special fluid.