Too much power steering fluid - bad?

Sabre Man

Due to a slow power steering fluid leak I had to refill yesterday but I accidentally filled almost all the way to the top, minus 1-2 cm. Is this bad?

I haven't yet driven after refilling.

craichoe

Yes, It'll cause excess pressure and more then likely make your slow leak a big one.

smooth operater

nope, just lob it in

craichoe

smooth operater wrote: »

nope, just lob it in

Why have a MAX mark then ..

Nah .. seriously man .. i blew a steering rack doing this, well .. not me, the mechanic that was servicing it.

10-10-20

Great, 2 differing opinions. Just what you need.

Here's mine.
The min-max marks are there for a reason, and this can be that there is a return feed on the system which could cause the reservoir to overflow or in some cases the ATF isn't pressurised at the reservoir - just on the rack, so it's not a huge issue, but in other cases it is.
I'd advise removing some fluid with a suitable tool such as a straw (not to suck on!) or an old, but clean, basting brush.

craichoe

lol ..

I think 600 bucks getting a second hand rack and labor is more than an opinion

smooth operater

right, well they do put the max sign on it for a reason....but the power steering fluid isn't gonna be boiling....personnaly i wouldnt worry about it, but sure theres always that chance

Sabre Man

craichoe wrote: »

Yes, It'll cause excess pressure and more then likely make your slow leak a big one.

Which will make it easier to spot the leak, right?

ciarsd

smooth operater wrote: »

right, well they do put the max sign on it for a reason....but the power steering fluid isn't gonna be boiling....personnaly i wouldnt worry about it, but sure theres always that chance

Boiling power steering fluid doesn't come into it to be honest.

If you are only offering an opinion based on your idea and not on fact, then maybe hold off posting up - I don't mean to sound like a grouch but seriously if the system is overfilled, it could very well destroy the power steering system. Instead of a small (fixable) leak, you will be looking at an extensive rebuild/replacement due to damaged seals as a result of the increased pressure (i.e. the damage can and will be internal seals in the system, never mind a small split in a pipe someplace).

craichoe

I have a feeling he knows where the leak is ...

Most of the time its in the rack and leaks into the boots, which means a new rack or reconditioning the old one.

Sabre Man

craichoe wrote: »

I have a feeling he knows where the leak is ...

Actually I don't.

barryfitz

The best piece of advice is this: take out any excess and get that small leak fixed.

Lord Nikon

Take out the excess with a straw, I have dont it before. Insert the straw into the fluid, block the air entering at the top.

Also, make sure you do it with the engine off, to get a better reading of what fluid is in there already.

ter573

use either a straw or cut one side of a ball point pen with a blade to make the tube. dip the straw/tube in the reservoir while sealing the other end with your thumb. take the tube out and release the thumb to throw away fluid.

I think if the dip stick is marked with hot and cold, the fluid level should be between these two marks ( somewhere at the middle of the dipstick ).

make sure there is no left over debris in the pen ( tube ) after cutting it.