 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | | | looove 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 04-16-2024 01:18 PM 0 Replies, 2,012 Views | |  |  |  |  08-13-2010, 08:42 AM | #1 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 |  Is this True: ATF in Power Steering?
Okay, so I just read this on Bimmerforums... That the E36 uses ATF oil for the power steering as well. And then I searched on here ... so, is it true that we are supposed to use ATF for the power steering?
All this time I've been using power steering fluid from the auto store here. Should i switch it? __________________ 
-Theta Chi-
Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER
.... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit!
Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll  ...
Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? |  |  | | 08-13-2010, 10:56 AM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 274 |
Yes you should! That's my understanding, I used Valvoline Dexron IV, supposed to be the sucessor to Dexron III. And while you are at it, replace the resevoir, there is a filter in there that needs to be changed periodically. Who knew? | | | | | 08-13-2010, 03:05 PM | #3 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MD/PA/DC Posts: 1,629 |
I'm pretty sure mine says ATF ONLY right on the cap!
I use mercon V in mine. __________________  No more ti. | | | | | 08-13-2010, 04:33 PM | #4 | | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,464 |
Once upon a time, all cars used ATF in the power steering reservoir... then everyone started coming out with different formulations of fluid; specific parts and seals in PS pumps that needed specific types of fluids; etc. Sometimes I really miss the simplicity of my old '65 Le Mans Convertible.... I had a Camaro once that had a manual transmission that used ATF.
I would say that if it hasn't caused you any problems to date, switching it at this point possibly could. Most PS fluids (that I'm aware of) are similar in composition to ATF, they just usually don't have some of the friction modifiers or as high a detergent content as ATF does.
Last edited by zoner; 08-13-2010 at 04:40 PM. | | | | | 08-13-2010, 05:53 PM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 |
hmm, i was never aware of this until last night. wow, i am still learning things everyday about my car.
i think i'm going to replace a hose too. Seems to be leaking from the bottom of the resevoir. __________________
-Theta Chi-
Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER
.... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit!
Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ...
Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | | | 08-13-2010, 06:51 PM | #6 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 274 |
Quote: Originally Posted by Marv17  hmm, i was never aware of this until last night. wow, i am still learning things everyday about my car.
i think i'm going to replace a hose too. Seems to be leaking from the bottom of the resevoir. | Replace the resevoir as well, it's like $25 from RMEuopean. I did that and one of the hoses and put the good clamps in place. | | | | | 08-13-2010, 07:21 PM | #7 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 252 |
mine is leaking from the bottom of the resevoir as well, probably needs new clamps; also didn't know bout the internal filter, interesting; i have noticed that my fluid will start to "foam up" at higher rpms (5000 and higher) i use mercon V, with 123,000 miles it maybe time to change the resevoir and fluid. __________________ 1996 318ti base: m44, 5 spd, lsd - 18x8 bremmer kraft wheels w/sumitumo tires 225/40R18 & bmw locking lug studs, 10mm spacers in rear, halo headlights, cold air intake, koni str.t struts and shocks w/mounts, h&r sport springs, serp belts, control arm & tie rod kits, front sway bar links, JVC kd-x50bt headunit w/ipod hook up in the glove box, alpine sps-500(front and rear), jl audio 10" powerwedge max, jl audio 250.1 amp, motor mounts, fuel filter, passenger side window motor, drivers lower window run, muffler hanger kit, various interior bulbs, left door striker/ajar switch, lower hood latches, changed from gray vinal to black leather shift and parking brake boots, m3 weighted shift knob, ngk-r spark plugs, magnecor spark plug wires(blue),new cabin micro-filters,new headliner & a-pillar mouldings, 5w20 synth-blend oil and filter, BG Ultra Guard syn. rear end fluid & ls additive, BG Syncro Shift II syn. manual trans fluids, stainless steel braided brake lines and dot 4 fluid, extra brake light mod, new p/s reservoir and rubber hoses
need to do - fix door panels, paint job, MORE MONEY!! | | | | | 08-15-2010, 03:23 AM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: asdfasdf Posts: 10,002 |
I use Carquest brand dex/merc, supposedly it meets the specs for dexron and mercron ATF fluids, never had a problem running the cheap stuff, didn't know about the filter though, probably something I should do... eventually... maybe | | | | | 08-15-2010, 04:44 AM | #9 | | Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: LA, Bellflower, CA Posts: 3,613 |
Quote: Originally Posted by chudzikb Replace the resevoir as well, it's like $25 from RMEuopean. I did that and one of the hoses and put the good clamps in place. | do you have the part numbers by any chance? __________________
-Theta Chi-
Float like a cadilac, sting like a BIMMER
.... my socket is just too thick and won't fit in the hole! damnit!
Marv's 332ti is in the werks. Stay tuned ya'll ...
Check list: S52 swap, manual transmission swap, 3.25 LSD with M Coupe diff cover, SuperSprint muffler, M3 style mirrors, AFE intake, ASC delete, M50 Manifold swap, UUC strut bar, ZHP lighted knob, Vaders, M-tech interior, OEM armrest, AC Schintzer front lip, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, Roof spoiler, 18'' rims, M3 front drilled brakes, LED interior lights, 3 spoke Euro style steering wheel, OEM roof spoiler and bike holder, Thule fairing, Euro tail lights, oil pressure guage, carbon fiber hood painted to original paint (still showing CF weaving), what's next to do...? | | | | | 08-15-2010, 12:45 PM | #10 | | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Lancaster PA Posts: 274 |
That would require a level of organiztion that I do not possess. It is easy to look up the stuff on RMEuopean's web site, won't take long at all... | | | | |
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