Replace old PS fluid by draining, or with turkey baster?

WesternRoadtripper1
Sat, 01 Jul 2023 01:18:57 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

Sienna 1999 with a bazillion miles (and a brand new timing belt, water pump, etc).

Toyota specialty repair shop noticed that my PS fluid was “very dirty” even though it’s been just two years and about 10,000 miles since another shop replaced the PS pump. (I would have thought they would have drained and refilled the system then, but it doesn’t look like they did).

Owners’ manual calls for Dextron II or III; I have no idea what’s in the system now, but it’s definitely NOT anywhere close to red color judging by a small sample I sucked out with a turkey baster. I’d call it sort of amber color, somewhat similar to engine oil.

Local Napa Auto store directed me to Dex / Merc ATF, which I have not yet added.

I seem to recall Tom and Ray suggesting using a turkey baster to suck out fluid from the reservoir, and refill with new fluid. Is that sufficient?

Or maybe do it once, then drive the car a few times, and then repeat the process to further reduce the percentage of old fluid?

Or is it worth the effort to drain the system from below? I’ve not yet slid underneath to see where low pressure line is, so don’t know if that’s a hassle; I assume it’s a messy job. But given that I’m due for an oil change, I’ll be under there anyway.

And what about residual fluid in the rack?

What’s the smart choice here?

9 posts - 5 participants