watery power steering fluid

[918eva]

Just got this car.drove it for first time after we replaced struts and springs.drove great but when i got it parked i smelled somethin burnin? So it was smokin under hood around the engine.we noticed power steering reservoir had liquid on top lid.apparently it was overflowing and running on engine and that was what caused smoking but the power steering fluid was watery.is it supposed to be watery? Im worried about driving car now

 

[sperold]

Have a look at the level in the reservoir as it may be high. Take your worse turkey-baster and remove the fluid you think is too watery. Get as much as you can out, then refill with automatic transmission fluid (Ford wants you to use Type F and it is usually at Walmart). Buy 3 or 4 quarts.
Clean off the top lid and keep an eye on it. It takes a special twist to put that top on, and sometimes it doesn't get it.
Don't worry about driving the car.
Be prepared to keep changing the fluid until it gets to the colour it should be, may take 3 turkey basting operations.
Sometimes the rubber return line disconnects and sprays fluid around in the engine compartment, but there will be nothing left in the reservoir when that happens.

 

[918eva]

Ok.thanks you.yea we used turkey baster and got fluid level where it should be.just worried me cause it had overflown.any idea why?

 

[sperold]

Happens to me sometimes, and I always figured I had not got the top on properly. There is an o-ring on the top that seals the unit, but the top had to be "clicked-in by turning it to the right - fully. I think that reservoir is pretty active, with a lot of fluid moving in and out.

 

[itwonder]

If the fluid has a burned smell or is dark brown, then it is time to change it. Get a gallon of Dexron ATF from Walmart and flush the PS system. See the procedure here:
http://www.wikisho.com/wiki/Changing_power_steering_fluid
Dexron ATF , Ford Type F, or Synthetic PS Fluid all work equally well in these systems. But stick with one, avoid mixing.

 

[DeepPower]

I changed my power steering fluid using the turkey baster method.

Use a turkey baster to remove as much fluid from the reservoir as you can. Then with the key on, engine off, turn the wheel lock to lock to flush more fluid into the reservoir. Suck out with turkey baster. Then add some p/s fluid, start the car, turn wheel lock to lock, turn car off, add fluid. Take the car for a short drive and check the fluid, add if needed. Gets out 80% of the p/s fluid. You can repeat after a few days of driving to make sure you got almost all of it out.