focus pas fluid change

[steveo3002]

got a mk1 focus recently , while checking the pas fluid ive noticed its a nasty black colour

ive never changed /flushed pas fluid before , whats the best way?

im thinking either unbolt the res and empty it as much as i can , then refill run for a while then repeat until its clear

or remove the return pipe on the res and put it in a bucket and run the car while topping up the res until it runs clear..although im not sure does the fluid roar out or trickle out?

any tips or ideas please

[S0 What]

I'd go with the first idea, that's how i do it, it takes more fluid that way but it's way way cleaner than the bucket idea and there no bending of pipes to run them in other directions (to the bucket), i have a seringe and/or turkey baister i use for removing old brake fluid ect

[steveo3002]

how much fluid should i buy?

[S0 What]

2 ltr min i would say, you will only ever dilute the old oil this way so the more the better, the header tank will take 1/2 Ltr or so and there's probably as much again in the pump feed pipe, you could take the large feed pipe off at the pump and get more out and in but again bloody messy job unless you have a large catch bowl (mines 3Ft long and 2FT wide) even then it will spill on engine componants, subframe ect no matter how quick you are with the end of the dam thing.

[dave_s13]

I did it on my ford galaxy by disconnecting the return pipe, bodge some pipe on to it and run into the bucket. Then start the engine and move the steering wheel to and fro. Top up the reservoir as you go.

[steveo3002]

dave_s13 said:

I did it on my ford galaxy by disconnecting the return pipe, bodge some pipe on to it and run into the bucket. Then start the engine and move the steering wheel to and fro. Top up the reservoir as you go.

what sort of rate does it spew out at ?

[dave_s13]

Fairly steady from what I remember.

It was a whole ago since I did it but I think I vacuumed out the fluid from the reservoir. Remove one of the pipes and bung the hole up (I can't remember how I did that). Then push a length of pipe into the removed pipe and run into a bucket. Start engine, twiddle the wheel and pump through new fluid until it comes out clean.

Prepare to make a bit of a mess. Don't do it over the pristine new driveway or anything