Power steering cooler and fluid

[gsd2000]

Does anyone have a power steering cooler installed?

Any ideas where to mount it?

Where is the best place to get one?

Is the power steering hose 3/8" i/d or o/d or something different?

I've tried driftworks for a power steering cooler but they have been out of stock for quite a while, so i was thinking of buying a small oil cooler and using that.

What is the correct power steering fluid?

Is the power steering fluid from halfords okay?

Edited by gsd2000 on Sunday 6th December 18:52

[k15tox]

im sure we have one as standard, a thin one infront of the radiator

[gsd2000]

yes i think we do, but i was mainly after ideas for a larger one as i plan to do a bit of drifting at pod next year and don't want to wreck my power steering.

[Well_Fans]

I bought a replacement pwr radiator from mark at rapidgb which included oil and power steering radiators, massive chunk of aluminium so no dodgy plastic tanks ala vauxhall standard radiator but a pain in the butt to fit. You will need to strip the entire front of your car down to get it in. PWR also do kits for power steering and oil cooling as separate components, designed to bolt straight on to the front of the 2 vertical straps that run in front of your main radiator - sure if you speak to mark he can get you pricing.

[gsd2000]

i will send him an email and see what he says

[monkfish1]

gsd2000 said:

yes i think we do, but i was mainly after ideas for a larger one as i plan to do a bit of drifting at pod next year and don't want to wreck my power steering.

Just use a regular 13 row oil cooler or similar and connect to the point at which the stock cooler fits. You can just screw it onto the lower crossmember.

[TerryS]

[TerryS]

Edited by TerryS on Monday 7th December 09:43

[gsd2000]

TerryS said:

so thats what that was. I thought it was an oil cooler.

[stevieturbo]

gsd2000 said:

Does anyone have a power steering cooler installed?

Any ideas where to mount it?

Where is the best place to get one?

Is the power steering hose 3/8" i/d or o/d or something different?

I've tried driftworks for a power steering cooler but they have been out of stock for quite a while, so i was thinking of buying a small oil cooler and using that.

What is the correct power steering fluid?

Is the power steering fluid from halfords okay?

Edited by gsd2000 on Sunday 6th December 18:52

Any typical fluid cooler would suffice, there are dozens of options. Mount wherever it fits ?

OD of the hardline return would usually be 10mm OD. Use hose suitable for oil. Although the return itself is low pressure, so that aspect isnt an issue.

Earls and many other places sell oil coolers, and perhaps power steering coolers too ( generally a more basic tube/fin arrangement, as there is no requirement to withstand pressure that a normal oil cooler would. )

[TerryS]

gsd2000 said:

so thats what that was. I thought it was an oil cooler.

Yes mate, I fitted it from the top of my Intercooler to catch the air path in the bumper.

This link may help
http://www.thinkauto.com/acatalog/On_line_shop_230...

As Stevie said most coolers will do it. I also look at bike coolers.

[gsd2000]

Ok thanks for the links and info. The only other question i have is there any specific fluid that should be used?

I have some halfords power steering fluid, is that fine, it just says suitable for most power steering applications.

[monkfish1]

gsd2000 said:

Ok thanks for the links and info. The only other question i have is there any specific fluid that should be used?

I have some halfords power steering fluid, is that fine, it just says suitable for most power steering applications.

Dexron 3

[gsd2000]

Crap i think the halfords stuff is no good. I will have to return that then.

Is a 10 row sufficent for a power steering cooler or ideally do you need 13 row or bigger?

[monkfish1]

gsd2000 said:

Crap i think the halfords stuff is no good. I will have to return that then.

Is a 10 row sufficent for a power steering cooler or ideally do you need 13 row or bigger?

Who knows? If you want to be scientific about it, you need to log the temps doing the drifting and go from there. As there is no real limitation on space on yours you might as well go big. Once you start drifting that thing the fluid will get hot!!!

[gsd2000]

Thats a good point

[delmeekc]

After you have sorted the cooler out, only fill the tank to the seam at the mid point and also find a elastic hair band to put on over the lid between the cap and tank (fit after the lid/cap is on) or there will be oil all over the engine bay and the belt. As it goes from lock to lock the tank will fill up and push all the oil out.

[delmeekc]

oh and buy a kazz diff, you will wear the standard one out quick and it's not that good if you just going to drift. So I've been told.

[gsd2000]

I dont plan to go nuts drifting. Its just that a good friend of mine who competes in the BDC offered me some tutition, and i didnt want to kill my power steering. I think a cooler is cheap insurance, i will keep an eye on the diff. Thanks for the tips though

[delmeekc]

defo lower the fluid, one lock to lock and it will piss out if it's at the normal level and warm. Ebay or boots syringe, put it back in when your done, if it does happen and got on the belt then you may have problems. watch the cooling too if your not moving fast, cost me three pistons last year, but on the bright side it made me take the step to a forged engine. Maybe fine on a standard engine, i was running a blower non-intercooled at the time, lesson learn't.