Draining/Refilling PAS Procedure

[Red Cabbage]

The search function doen't throw anything up but I'm guessing these is an ideal method for refilling the PAS system?

[< FORZA WEST]

Top up level with engine off until it stops going down.

Turn steering to full lock to lock with engine off and back to centre.

Start engine and top up level until it stop going down (about half way up resevoir)...May make some whinning noise as the fluid drops suddenly, just keep topping up.

turn to full lock (left or right) check level

turn to other lock check level.

Do this a few times until level when the steering is straight is correct.

That should be it

[Red Cabbage]

Thanks.

That was a 7 minute response, even the emergency services would be proud of that!

[Teetertank]

What about draining the oil? Is there a good way to do that, or do you just have to disconnect the pipe at the bottom of the reservoir?

Also, do people normally change PAS fluid at major service interval, or less frequently?

[spend]

As a sideline thats not the procedure for the Land Rover Serp PAS. They are quite anal about top up, run engine briefly, top up.. ad finitum before moving wheels from central position to bleed rack (steering box).

[Red Cabbage]

I knew it was worth checking.

[Red Cabbage]

spend said:

As a sideline thats not the procedure for the Land Rover Serp PAS. They are quite anal about top up, run engine briefly, top up.. ad finitum before moving wheels from central position to bleed rack (steering box).

Run the engine with the reservoir cap on or off?

[over_the_hill]

Teetertank said:

What about draining the oil? Is there a good way to do that, or do you just have to disconnect the pipe at the bottom of the reservoir?

Also, do people normally change PAS fluid at major service interval, or less frequently?

Or do you follow the pipe from the reservoir al the way down to the U-bend and disconnect there - bowl at the ready.

[spend]

On I guess (LR res is not in such a silly pos, the bonnet height means they can put rads, expansion, PAS res at correct heights as designed). It was just a warning as they seem to stress very strongly to take extra special care not to spin the pump dry?

[< FORZA WEST]

to drain entire system you nee to disconnect the furthest pipe on the power steering rack...once its drained out turn the steering (engineOFF) very slowly full lock left then right...if you do it fast it will make a terrible mess.

then reconnect pipe...screw the union back on starting it with your fingers not a spanner...risk of cross threading.

this will fully clean out old fluid....it can be a pain to do though.

the other way is drain the resevoir but thats only 1/2 the fluid changed.

when filling and running engine its ok to leave cap off, just make sure you put it back on before road test or you will have a nice mess.

[Red Cabbage]

spend said:

On I guess (LR res is not in such a silly pos, the bonnet height means they can put rads, expansion, PAS res at correct heights as designed). It was just a warning as they seem to stress very strongly to take extra special care not to spin the pump dry?

I have heard of owners unclipping the resevoir to get a better height for refilling.