Power Steering Fluid

[Bala]

2000 Boxster s 3.2.

Checked the hydraulic fluid level, nothing, stuck finger in and still nothing. The cap say CHF 11S. But dealer gave me CHF 202. Said it is compatible. Can I add to fill up or Do I have to drain and refill with new? Thanks.

[Steve Tinker]

CHF 202 is the replacement for 11S fluid.
Just check that you havn't a leaking power steering system as its unusual for the level to drop dramatically....

[Bala]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

CHF 202 is the replacement for 11S fluid.
Just check that you havn't a leaking power steering system as its unusual for the level to drop dramatically....

Thanks. I'll check for sure. I don't think it suddenly dropped. Guessing the PO didn't care much about this fluid.

[bar10dah]

It may not take a lot of fluid to fill your reservoir. Add in VERY small amounts, ounces really, while continually checking the level.

Mine wasn't registering on the dipstick either, so when I started to pour in the same CHF 202 you have, it almost immediately started to overfill and pour out of the filler tube. Had to go get a medicine syringe (get them at drug stores, or a turkey baster works too) to pull the fluid out to get it down to a normal level.

And since the old fluid coming out was some dingy shade, I would use the medicine syringe and pull out all the fluid I could, refill with the same amount, turn the car on and turn the wheel to full lock both ways several times, turn the car off, and do the fluid exchange again. I did this continually until the fluid coming out looked the same as the fluid going in. Took a while, but worth it. The old fluid was probably the factory fill.

[Bala]

Just filled it and it took 2 oz tops. But, your process seems a good way to go. Shall try that since I have liter of this thing which may not get used in the next few years.

[thstone]

I had the same situation - bought a liter and needed 1-2 oz's! I have enough left over for two lifetimes.

[Bala]

Anyone in Long Island area need some Power Steering fluid? PM me and stop by. It's free for top ups.

[JFP in PA]

One of the reason these cars have power steering failure issues on the track is that the system has a very small reservoir, which contributes to the overheating issue. We find a lot of cars have low fluid levels, even when nearly new, which goes undetected because of where the filler is located. You may want to also note that Pentosin has made the CHF 11S available again, although the CHF 202 is totally compatible.

[bar10dah]

Bala, what I did was use the syringe and pulled out all the fluid I could from the reservoir and dumped it into a dixie cup. Then, with a second dixie cup, I filled it up to the same level as the one with the old fluid, then dumped the new fluid into the reservoir. Kept doing it this way until the fluid coming out looked new. Took forever doing it this way. There's probably a much easier way, but I couldn't find any info on it online. (Even the link off Mike Focke's webpage was down) If you find a better way, let me know!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Bala

Anyone in Long Island area need some Power Steering fluid? PM me and stop by. It's free for top ups.

Hah! Same for the left coast - if anyone needs some power steering fluid, let me know. I have one liter minus 1 oz of CHF 11S.

[Bala]

I'm just going to get a syringe, a long tube and take the fluid out and replace. At least it'll be a $24 well spent. I'm sure I'll still have some left.

[Paul]

Some time back I bought a can to top my 01 off which I did.

I had just enough left to refill the system after I replaced my motor.