caroliner555

Hi All! I just had Service A done on my 2006 C230 Sport. I have 71,000 miles on the car and the Mercedes service center said its time for a power steering flush. Is it really necessary at 70,000 miles or can I wait? What are some possible signs that I need a power steering flush?

Thank you!

VVF

Heavy steering wheel feeling?

I bet they are trying to get some money from you.
How much did they quote, $300?
You can do it yourself: https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...flush-diy.html

caroliner555

Thank you so much! The estimate was indeed $300. No heavy steering wheel feeling yet, so I'll just wait until the car starts showing signs. Thanks again!

VVF

You can get a little fluid out of the reservoir, and if it's really dark amber then maybe think about flushing (I believe people here flush at around 100k miles).

jkowtko

Yeah, I wouldn't wait until you start "feeling" something ... keep that fluid fresh. These PS systems are very sensitive to fluid condition. A quart of fluid costs $20 and you can flush it yourself fairly easily. $20 every few years is better than $3k for a new steering rack and pump

samaritrey

^ +1 wish I had done mine every few years rather then wait till the miles got super high.

Carsy

My method is to siphon out the contents of the reservoir very year & replace the fluid.

1 litre does 3 years.

I would be a little concerned about running the PS pump with air in the system..


I also have attached a couple of small magnets to the dip stick level indicator & I wipe them clean every year of the fine metallic build up. My Peugeot 405 SRDT had these magnets OEM & there has been no PS problems in 400,000 km.

jkowtko

I tried the siphone only at first but I get very little fluid out each time. Disconnecting the return line at the bottom of the radiator gets out much more fluid.

bop11

Don't keep the fluid for 3 years. Once the container is opened, use it and discard the rest. Hydraulic fluid is like a sponge to moisture and water is what ruins the system. Just like brake fluid, don't save it! You can not reseal a container like the factory, so moisture will get in. Buy a new can just before you are going to use it, then discard. What are you saving? Having it in the container is like having it in the car.

Carsy

Thanks for the tip. I will look into it.

Reading up, it does look as if most hydraulic oils are mineral based therefore not hygroscopic. With 3 refills my PS fluid is stored for 2 years. At $50 a litre here ,I don't think I will be tossing it out.

Proper Fluid Handling and Storage http://www.machinerylubrication.com/...-contamination
Hydraulic fluids should be kept in their sealed containers until ready for use. Both new and partially used containers should be carefully handled and stored. Lids should be checked routinely and tightly secured, with drums being kept in a relatively benign environment. Large temperature swings cause the containers to "breathe" from expanding and contracting air and liquid inside. This, combined with moisture from rainfall or humidity, can cause the ingress of water into the container. Some fluids are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture when exposed to humid air, thus requiring extra measures to be taken to reduce the chance of contamination.

VVF

I think it's ok Original fluid was in the car for 70k+ miles, I wouldn't worry about storing a closed container for a couple years.

Carsy

Thanks VVF, JC.

Glyn M Ruck

JC is spot on with good storage practice. Hydraulic fluids etc. are not hygroscopic. They do not attract water. Hydraulic fluids are designed to have good water separability so that you can drain the water off or centrifuge it out on large systems.

atxmike

i change my brake and ps fluid every three years. i don't buy any conditioners or treatments, just good quality fluid and a decent pump to get as much as you can out. 178k and never a problem.