question

[Marijuanero]

this is a very dum question
i dont know shit about mechanics and even less about german mechanics
i leave it to my mechanic (a 65 year old south american who nos alot about german cars)

but where do i put the powerstering fluid
and my transmision fluid is leaking im hoping that its just a punctured hose but it may be worse what do you all think

 

[Big Daddy]

Power steering fluid goes in the power steering reservoir. It should be a round cap labeled as such. Usually a transmission fluid leak is something related to the steering, not the transmission. Where under the car is the leak located? If it is forward near directly under the radistor it is most likely the rack. Also the PS hoses will leak before anything having to do with the transmission itself. Have you checked your transmission fluid level? And have you checked the PS fluid?

 

[Ben]

for some reason i thought you are supposed to use ATF for power steering fluid.......

 

[Big Daddy]

In most cases you do, power steering fluid and ATF are the same. The exception is in some of the 7 series which use a special fluid and they are NOT interchangable. Some companies make a power steering fluid and an ATF. Sorry for the confusion, in my post above I used power steering fluid and ATF as interchangable I should have mentioned that, thanks for the correction.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Just to clarify what Big Daddy said, BMWs use ATF as the power steering fluid except for in some of the 7 series. Some other manufacturers (like GM) use actual dedicated power steering fluid for the steering system, NOT ATF.

 

[Auslander RML]

Seeing this topic come up made me think of a question of my own...I have been told on a few occasions that e30's require a special hydraulic fluid for power steering systems, Pentosin CHF 7.1 or 11s (I can't remember which). Either way, pricey stuff by the liter. Is there any merit to this?

 

[jrt67ss350]

My owners manual says you can use Dexron II or III ATF. I have Dexron III in mine with no problems.