Can I change PAS fluid sans tools?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Predictably, my Scorpio acquisition has consigned the Accord to a few days of inaction. I really want to try doing some little bits of work on it, but I can't persuade myself to do much while it's out on the street and exposed to the elements. I seem to remember that, unlike what you'd do with the oil or the coolant, power steering fluid changes don't require the system to be drained. I don't have any pump or anything to take out old fluid with, so it would be either a low tech setup with a bit of rubber hose going to a pan on the ground or, better still, manual removal with a soup spoon!

 

Is doing either of the above perfectly fine, or will I cause the steering to expire in an amusing fashion?

[scaryoldcortina]

you will have a hard time getting the spoon into the reservoir, and it's a bit thick to syphon... I tend to use an empty 1 litre oil bottle (the type with the extending spout) and suck it up by crushing/squeezing the bottle. Or (if you don't mind the mess) just undo the jubilee clip holding the return pipe and go for a drive until the steering stops working....

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

the bottle idea sounds good...I guess I could use an old 1.5l bottle of mineral water- they tend to be more 'crushable' than bottles containing automotive fluids.

[Pete-M]

you will have a hard time getting the spoon into the reservoir, and it's a bit thick to syphon... I tend to use an empty 1 litre oil bottle (the type with the extending spout) and suck it up by crushing/squeezing the bottle. Or (if you don't mind the mess) just undo the jubilee clip holding the return pipe and go for a drive until the steering stops working....

 

I'd just undo the return pipe, shove a bowl under it and run it for a couple of minutes (watching the reservoir level), when it gets low, top it up. 30 seconds more, whack the pipe back on, top up the level, bleed the system, job done.

[scaryoldcortina]

Mineral WATER? I've heard of mineral oil.....

 

PS, I discovered the "drain it by leaving a clip undone" one by accident. For what it's worth, a scorpio with no PAS is almost impossible to steer.

 

edit, pete, that would be fine if it was easy to get a bowl under... it isn't. Oil will go everywhere and LB's local council will probably have him executed.

[Pete-M]

edit, pete, that would be fine if it was easy to get a bowl under... it isn't. Oil will go everywhere and LB's local council will probably have him executed.

 

Just bump it half on the kerb. That's how I did the rad on my old Ultima - shirley it can't be as bad a job as that?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

It definitely doesn't look like it's easy...IIRC, there are various bits and pieces below the reservoir.

[scaryoldcortina]

Question you have to ask yourself is not "could I do this" but "could the OP do this".

 

I learnt that one when I gave someone directions on how to bypass a heater plug circuit and they connected a positive jump lead to the fuel rail. Keep it simple....

[Pete-M]

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I gave someone directions on how to bypass a heater plug circuit and they connected a positive jump lead to the fuel rail.

 

 

That sounds fun!

[peter9000uk]

Turkey baster? (sp)

[garethj]

when it gets low, top it up. 30 seconds more, whack the pipe back on, top up the level, bleed the system, job done.

How do you bleed the system? Is what I'd be asking if I were L_A_U

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

when it gets low, top it up. 30 seconds more, whack the pipe back on, top up the level, bleed the system, job done.

How do you bleed the system? Is what I'd be asking if I were L_A_U

 

Hang on...Isn't that just a case of turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock for a few times???

[Pete-M]

Yup, just slowly turn it from lock to lock a few times. Worth keeping an eye on the level when you do it as pas systems can burp a fair bit if there is air in the system. Shouldn't be an issue in this case.

[dieselnutjob]

connect some hosepipe to pump outlet

run hosepipe into old 5 litre oil can

disable injection and/or ignition

crank engine on starter and observe PAS fluid going into 5 litre can

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Right, Mr Honda helpfully designed the reservoir with a long neck so as to preclude changes using crushed bottles, so it looks like I have to go for some kind of suction setup (although DNJ's idea sounds sensible, there isn't much room in the engine bay and I don't want to disconnect any hoses if I can help it).

However, I've seen these things on e-bay. Has anyone used them? Surely can't go wrong for £4.75, or can I?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HAND-SUCTION-OIL- ... 415a0c0ac3

[scaryoldcortina]

See, thats what I mean about internet advice... I thought you wanted to change the fluid on the scorpio!

 

I had one of those hand suction pumps, it worked great for about a month then munched its seals and went in the bin. It will probably do you fine for ages though.

 

 

edit - I'm sick of editing out typos. must be time for a new keyboard (or some sleep)

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

See, thats what I mean about internet advice... I thought you wanted to change the fluid on the scorpio!

 

The Scorpio is too immaculate for me to risk b0rking any of its systems! I'm practising on the Accord- i did mention it in the OP, but obviously the fluid change's pretty much a generic procedure anyway.

 

I'll order that thingy off ebay and let you know how I get on- time for me to get some sleep, too!

[dieselnutjob]

Idea 1

 

can you get a big syringe of a pharmacy or a vet supplier or something?

then jam a bit of washer fluid pipe from Halfords on the end of the syringe

stick the pipe in the reservoir and suck the fluid into the syringe

 

Idea 2

 

stick some pipe in the reservoir and syphon the oil into a basin on the ground. you might have to get some oil in your mouth to get it started though

[tooSavvy]

Turkey baster? (sp)

 

... Queens youngest son might have one spare

 

SAABforum suggests loosening the return pipe - running engine / refilling at the same time - and all will be dumped/refilled in about 2 minutes....FAST!!!!

 

tooSavvy

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Since I'm not a fan of mongbay, I decided to splash out on a top-of-the-range* dRAPEr item. It actually looked pretty cheap, before they added the VAT, the postage and the VAT on postage (SRSLY)!

 

GR8 4 enemas?!?

 

I will let you know how I get on...I'm sure I will find a way to keep y'all amused...On another note, Honda-equivalent PS fluid, while made by people such as Valvoline and being widely and cheaply available in the States (if the Honda forums from there are anything to go by) is not stocked by Unipart, Andrew Page or ECP, and the dealers want a fortune!