light engine oil to replace power steering fluid

[MUSS]

have been wondering weather anybody has or is runnin a light engine oil to replace ATF( power steering fluid) have heard to use hydrolic fluid but have also heard that toyota steeing boxes and pumps dont handle it well....as it apparently buggers the seals and sh1t.... but ive been told that runnin a light engine oil, maybe even a synthetic oil works welland has a higher boiling point then ATF..... can anyone shed some light on this?

[V8Patrol]

here's one way of looking at it ........

would you put ATF oil onto your motor ????

use the specified oil in the designated area of operation. The reason is obvious

[chimpboy]

I wouldn't personally do this and you do so at your own risk, but I have heard of guys using heavier oils in their power steering system when they were (a) on the way out and (b) a little leaky. Thicker oil -> leass leakage. This worked fine for them, but they were GM pumps.

Still if you're willing to risk destroying part of the steering system (eg you have a spare one anyway), it might be worth the experiment.

I can't really think of any reason why you'd take a risk though. If the problem you are trying to resolve is heat, and there's nothing else wrong that's causing the problem, you could just fit an aftermarket (or second hand) transmission cooler on the low pressure side of the pump. These aren't that expensive.

Jason

[MUSS]

transmission cooler huh where can ya get these from?

[chimpboy]

transmission cooler huh where can ya get these from?

Try supercheap, repco, autobarn... the usual suspects. Some cars have them built in as a separate section of the radiator, others have a separate unit altogether, so you might be able to get one at a wrecker. Try to find one with outlets that match the size of your hose.

They can be as simple as a section of pipe with fins coming off them for cooling or as complicated as a miniaturised radiator.

Here's a URL I found quickly:

http://www.dieselpage.com/art0898hy.htm

Remember these guys are using them to cool the transmission so they want monstrous big coolers. You just want to cool your PAS system so you probably only need a little one.

Also, if you put it on the low pressure side of the pump, ordinary hose and hose clamps should be fine to hook it up.

But... what is the root cause of your heat problem, anyway?

Jason

Edit: this site outlines the types of cooler you can get.

[Ruggers]

hey jake have look at the front of your car it might already have a factory cooler on it. it will be just a pipe that goes across the front and back located near the p/s box. have look follow you p/s lines from the box. you can replace this with one for the one of the auto store there normally 50 to 100 bucks that looks like a mini radiator. and use p/s fluid as it lubricating properties are better than normal oil. i had a mate stuff up and use brake fluid but it kill all his seals.

[Area54]

Jake, try the wreckers as well, have a look at the rangies (or go pilfer yarni's ) they have a cooler line with fins on the outside of the pipe, very easy to mount and cheap as chips.