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Contaminated Power Steering Fluid - Appearance - Strawberry Milk Shake

d-kuzmen

Master Ford Tech
2,109
79
Connecticut
FORD: 2008 F-Super Duty


ISSUE:
Some 2008 F-Super Duty vehicles may exhibit a high steering effort or noise condition. This may be from the power steering fluid becoming contaminated with water and/or windshield washer fluid. Typically, fluid appears to be strawberry in color and has been described as looking like a milk shake, and reservoir may be overfilled.

ACTION:
Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Follow the service procedure below to flush the power steering system. Failure to completely eliminate the contamination from all steering system components will likely result in a repeat repair.

Provide the customer with a copy of the Customer Information Letter outlining how to distinguish the windshield washer reservoir and steering fluid reservoir. (Figure 1)

Power Steering System Flush

Bring vehicle to repair area, center the steering wheel and shut off.
For hydro boost vehicles, depress brake pedal 5 to 6 times with key off, to evacuate the hydro boost accumulator of all power steering fluid.
Remove power steering reservoir cap.
Disconnect the power steering return line at the cooler and allow the contaminated power steering fluid to drain into a suitable fluid collection bin. An extension hose may be added to better contain the fluid as it drains.
When the power steering reservoir is completely empty, fill the reservoir to the top with fresh power steering fluid and allow it to drain to below the MIN fill line, as indicated on the side of the reservoir.
Cap the disconnected end, so that fluid stops draining from the reservoir (where disconnected in step 4).
Add an extension to the uncapped end at the cooler (where disconnected in step 4) and run it into a suitable fluid collection bin. The gear side of the circuit will now be flushed. Ensure that the extension hose is snugly held in place at both ends to avoid fluid splashing or spilling as the vehicle will be running during the flush.
Completely fill the power steering reservoir with power steering fluid.
With the vehicle in neutral and the park brake applied, start the vehicle, quickly turn the steering wheel to FULL LOCK, and immediately shut the vehicle off.
NOTE: DO NOT ALLOW THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TO RUN OUT OF FLUID AS THIS MAY DAMAGE THE PUMP AND ALLOW AIR INTO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.



Completely fill the power steering reservoir with power steering fluid again.
With the vehicle in neutral and the park brake applied, start the vehicle, quickly turn the steering wheel to FULL LOCK in the opposite direction, and immediately shut the vehicle off. DO NOT ALLOW THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR TO RUN OUT OF FLUID AS THIS MAY DAMAGE THE PUMP AND ALLOW AIR INTO THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM.
For hydro boost vehicles, depress brake pedal 5 to 6 times with key off, to once again evacuate the hydro boost accumulator of all power steering fluid.
Repeat steps 10 through 12 until 8 full lock to lock turns of the steering wheel are completed, and the vehicle is shut off.
Reconnect the power steering line at the cooler, and fill the power steering reservoir to 1" above the MAX fill line, as indicated on the side of the reservoir. Prepare the vehicle to run.
Start and run the vehicle at 1500 RPM for 2 minutes, steering slowly but consistently from full lock to full lock for the entire time, then shut the vehicle off.
For hydro boost vehicles, depress brake pedal 5 to 6 times with key off, to once again evacuate the hydro boost accumulator of all power steering fluid.
Repeat Steps 15 and 16 one more time.
Repeat Steps 3 through 17, completely, one more time.
Repeat Steps 3 through 16, completely, one more time.
Check the power steering fluid in the reservoir.
If the power steering fluid appears comparably clean and clear to new power steering fluid, top up the fluid level in the reservoir to the MAX line and prepare the vehicle for return to the customer.
If the power steering fluid does not appear clean and clear enough, repeat Steps 3 through 16, completely, 1 more time, followed by Steps 20 and 21.
 

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