97 Z28 Power Steering Question
03-09-2013, 01:02 AM
#1
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97 Z28 Power Steering Question Hey all,
Have a 97 Z28 with 75k miles on it. Had a quick question with the power steering fluid. I have been storing my car since late November and have done a couple start ups since then along with some block drive arounds (haven't had the best of weather). Since December it hasn't really been started, been busy with college and weather has been shitty. Anyways since spring is rapidly approaching I did a good look over this past weekend. Checked brake fluid, oil, radiator fluid and all checked out good. Also checked water pump and all that stuff and no leaks, also checked all the lines for coolant etc. I finally worked my way over to the power steering fluid. I open the cap and I seen a film covering that looks exactly like chocolate milk (no particles or lumps were in the fluid). I dipped my finger in (about 1-2in) into the fluid and pulled it back out and it showed perfectly clear on my index finger. Should this be something to be concerned about, looking to start it up this weekend possibly (going to be close to 60 here in Nebraska). Also anything I should do "special" since my car has sat for about 2 1/2 months or so (i remember posting a similar thread last year and someone replied about pulling a fuse and priming the pump or something).
Thanks in advance for the help. I'll post a picture tomorrow once I get home.
Have a 97 Z28 with 75k miles on it. Had a quick question with the power steering fluid. I have been storing my car since late November and have done a couple start ups since then along with some block drive arounds (haven't had the best of weather). Since December it hasn't really been started, been busy with college and weather has been shitty. Anyways since spring is rapidly approaching I did a good look over this past weekend. Checked brake fluid, oil, radiator fluid and all checked out good. Also checked water pump and all that stuff and no leaks, also checked all the lines for coolant etc. I finally worked my way over to the power steering fluid. I open the cap and I seen a film covering that looks exactly like chocolate milk (no particles or lumps were in the fluid). I dipped my finger in (about 1-2in) into the fluid and pulled it back out and it showed perfectly clear on my index finger. Should this be something to be concerned about, looking to start it up this weekend possibly (going to be close to 60 here in Nebraska). Also anything I should do "special" since my car has sat for about 2 1/2 months or so (i remember posting a similar thread last year and someone replied about pulling a fuse and priming the pump or something).
Thanks in advance for the help. I'll post a picture tomorrow once I get home.
03-09-2013, 01:34 AM
#2
If you have any doubts about the fluid, flush it out with fresh fluid. FWIW, my whole power steering system sat all connected for over a year bungee-corded to the k-member while the engine was out. I did not change out the fluid, and have no issues.
You can turn the key to RUN (not START) a couple times to get the fuel pump to prime the rail. Pull the ignition fuse and crank the engine for 5-10 seconds, that will prime the oil pump.
You can turn the key to RUN (not START) a couple times to get the fuel pump to prime the rail. Pull the ignition fuse and crank the engine for 5-10 seconds, that will prime the oil pump.
03-09-2013, 10:44 AM
#3
Did you check the coolant at the overflow bottle? If so, anything abnormal on the dipstick.
One thing to look out for is cross contamination between the cooling and P/S system. If you have that, you should have blobs of P/S fluid on the overflow dipstick. If its clean, you don't have anything to worry about, but a P/S fluid change is in order. You may also want to do one of the P/S cooler mods while you are at it to prevent a future issue.
One thing to look out for is cross contamination between the cooling and P/S system. If you have that, you should have blobs of P/S fluid on the overflow dipstick. If its clean, you don't have anything to worry about, but a P/S fluid change is in order. You may also want to do one of the P/S cooler mods while you are at it to prevent a future issue.
03-09-2013, 03:05 PM
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Did you check the coolant at the overflow bottle? If so, anything abnormal on the dipstick.
One thing to look out for is cross contamination between the cooling and P/S system. If you have that, you should have blobs of P/S fluid on the overflow dipstick. If its clean, you don't have anything to worry about, but a P/S fluid change is in order. You may also want to do one of the P/S cooler mods while you are at it to prevent a future issue.
One thing to look out for is cross contamination between the cooling and P/S system. If you have that, you should have blobs of P/S fluid on the overflow dipstick. If its clean, you don't have anything to worry about, but a P/S fluid change is in order. You may also want to do one of the P/S cooler mods while you are at it to prevent a future issue.
Thanks,
Devin
03-09-2013, 04:05 PM
#5
Its a long thread but worth going through the whole thing and also checking out the linked sources/documents/threads:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html
03-09-2013, 04:20 PM
#6
Its a long thread but worth going through the whole thing and also checking out the linked sources/documents/threads:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...g-success.html
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03-10-2013, 09:58 PM
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I keep posting in this thread, didn't have a chance to work on the car today. Got hit with another 8 inches of snow:/
