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Power steering fluid and ATF dexron 2 different?

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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:10 AM
  #1  
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From: Boulder, Colorado
Power steering fluid and ATF dexron 2 different?

Hi

im out of power steering fluid. I bought prestone power steering fluid but when i was about to fill my runner it says to use atf dexron 2.

Basically can i use the preston stuff

also how much does it take to fill the compartment

i know its a newb question i need a quick reply

thanks
matt
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:13 AM
  #2  
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Only ATF.
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:13 AM
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Use ATF power steering fluid can damage the seals.
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:14 AM
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Use only ATF.
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:14 AM
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thank you all
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:15 AM
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Use what it says to use or you will regret it. They put that sticker on the PS reservoir for a reason.

Toyotas use ATF (Auto Tranny Fluid) in the power steering system.

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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 11:41 AM
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x6 - ATF unless you like replacing power steering pumps
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 05:14 PM
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I've topped the system up with PS fluid. Hasn't been a problem yet, but I only added a little bit. I plan on syphoning out the old fluid and replacing it with ATF sometime.
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 05:31 PM
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From: chippawa niagara falls ontario
only use atf..
you toyota will like you.. if u use power steering it wont like you
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Old Jan 21, 2009 | 07:00 PM
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I use in all my trucks torco atf doesnt varnish , take the heat
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Old Jan 28, 2009 | 09:42 PM
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ive noticed that i have powersteering fluid in my truck today, bought it a couple of months ago. is it easy to drain the fluid out of the system. do you just take the hose off the pump and then drain it and start truck up and turn side to side to get it out of the system
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by gary96360
ive noticed that i have powersteering fluid in my truck today, bought it a couple of months ago. is it easy to drain the fluid out of the system. do you just take the hose off the pump and then drain it and start truck up and turn side to side to get it out of the system
Here's a writeup for you... it will work the same on your pickup.
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 12:52 PM
  #13  
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If you've had it in there a couple months, the damage is probably done if it's going to be ... I would leave it in, and purge the system when you need a new PS pump. You may be one of the lucky ones ...
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 01:20 PM
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From: chippawa niagara falls ontario
x2 you might cause a leak by switching... some time stuff likes to snow ball
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 01:54 PM
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I think you should try using some 710 fluid
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 01:59 PM
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From: maple ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Originally Posted by tc
x6 - ATF unless you like replacing power steering pumps
x7, been there, done that....
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by tc
If you've had it in there a couple months, the damage is probably done if it's going to be ... I would leave it in, and purge the system when you need a new PS pump. You may be one of the lucky ones ...
it looks like the ps fluid has been in there for a long time because its dark in color. and i'm sure its ps fluid because of the smell. and also the fluid level is pretty low. so should i fill it right up with ps fluid or just wing it and put in atf and hope the pump doesn't leak. are the pumps pretty expensive?
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 06:05 PM
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Nah - only like $50, but a MAJOR PITA to replace on a 3.0 ... definitely one of those "you have GOT to be kidding me" jobs that there seems to be a bunch of with the 3.0.
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 06:30 PM
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Unhappy

Originally Posted by DeathCougar
I think you should try using some 710 fluid
Are you sure I shouldn't use Dexron II or maybe Dexron III, or DexMerc and does it go in the 710 cap, the break cap or the power steering fluid cap?
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Old Jan 29, 2009 | 07:08 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by tc
Nah - only like $50, but a MAJOR PITA to replace on a 3.0 ... definitely one of those "you have GOT to be kidding me" jobs that there seems to be a bunch of with the 3.0.
also add headgasket job to the "you have GOT to be kidding me" list. yeah 50 bucks doesn't sound that bad. do you think that other parts of the steering system has to be replaced other than the pump ect the steering box if it is contaminated with ps fluid.

Last edited by gary96360; Jan 29, 2009 at 07:09 PM.
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