yes
no frictions in power steering system like in auto tranny
extra antiwear and friction modifiers will quiet down many noisy worn old type F systems
i use only full PAO or ester Mercon here in pwr steering units except the new HMC rigs...works far better in hot temps and in winter cold especially the cold morning rollouts

use the Redline Syn. High Temp ATF if you want a higher viscosity pwr steering fluid with more steering stiffness resistance....i use it in my mudder F250 hi ride to reduce steering wheel kickback in the ruts and rocks along with a big steering damper

Type F specs

<table xmlns="" bgcolor="#cccccc" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1" width="205"><tbody><tr><td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Viscosity</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top"> cSt @ 40ºC</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">36.0</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top"> cSt @ 100ºC</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">7.2</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top"> cP @ -18ºC (0ºF)</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">1,600</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top"> cP @ -40ºC (-40ºF)</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">45,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Viscosity Index</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">150</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Flash Point, ºC (ºF)</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">160 (320)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Pour Point, ºC (ºF)</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">-40 (-40)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Gravity, API</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">31.4</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f2f2" valign="top">Color</td><td align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff" valign="top">Red</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
thin compared to the High Temp Redline or the Redline racing ATF of cSt @100dC of 10

noisy pwr steering pumps and gears like a little organic soluble moly additive also such as VSOT or Specialty Formulations old car stuff

no teflon frying pan feces please

 

Here is what I did if I need to flush either the steering or the transmission.

Just get a small T and solder three sections of 3/8" OD tubing onto it like the picture. Then you can splice it in between the return line with the compression union fittings shown there. The valve is the ball valve you use under the sink. These ball valves have Teflon seals that's perfectly OK for ATF.

Then just run the engine with someone turning the steering all the way right and left, alternately, and just drain one pint, fill one pint, ...... until you are satisfied.

Afterward, you can just shut off the valve and leave the whole thing in.

 

Thanks very much. That is very good information from you both.

 

So is it safe to run Mercon in my power steering pump, which calls for type-F? I did it once kind of by accident, and the pump was a lot quieter. I used a synthetic blend with Mercon ratings. When I flushed it again, I used type-F as specified, and the noise came back.

 

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">Yes Mercon has more cooling properties in it and it is a thinner oil base. The thinner oil is able to reach tighter tolerance areas than the Type-F just can't. If you ever noticed Ford was one of the first co. that were telling their customers to actually run with the automatic transmission fluid in the power steering pumps because of the superior cooling properties of the other fluid. I would bank on what your doing.--Good Luck Boz



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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Xlt4wd90:

Any leaks? It's the leaks I'm worried about. So far I have been able to keep both vans leak free, and I'd hate to see oil on the driveway. Why does Ford require type-F anyways? What properties does type-F have that Mercon doesn't?

 

Well their trannys for years took Type F, so I wonder if they didn't just say Type F for the PS because then they would not have to stock another kind of lube oil.

 

copper,
Mercon and Type F have the same viscosity indexes for 40d C and 100d C...works fine in my rigs
use the Valvoline Maxlife Mercon ATF, somewhat thicker and more seal sweller than stock specs

older Ford ps pumps are slipper type and newer Fords use vane type....both can be noisy with old failed fluid or insufficient friction modifiers and antiwear additives
most Ford pumps i've seen running type F howl, scream and rumble

 

The F150's pump is pretty quiet on Type F, but the Aerostar's always had a whine.

 

Update:

So I followed some advice given here regarding using synthetic ATF instead of PS fluid. I hope it goes well.

I flushed my power steering system. I raised the front end onto two jack stands. I disconnected the return line from the PS pump and diverted it into a container using some 3/8" OD copper pipe for an extension out over the driver's side tire. I plugged the return fitting on the pump using a pencil. The pencil fit securely and didn't fall out either. I couldn't find anything else to plug it, but it worked well. Then I passed 5 litres of generic mercon ATF (cheaper stuff) through the PS system, while a helper turned the steering while from side to side with the engine running. Then I passed another 2 quarts of Amsoil Synthetic ATF into the system before removing the pencil and re-installing the return line and lowering the van. The fluid is not brown anymore which is good. Now it is a nice red. And I have a cut-off can of pepsi over the filler cap to prevent further water contamination. I found the PEPSI can in the blue bin at work. Thanks for all your help!

 

Rob:

Does it quiet down the pump, or does the pump still whine like a Ford?

 

Hi Copper,

The pump still whines with the Amsoil Synthetic Mercon ATF. I cannot hear it whine while driving unless I slow down and turn sharp. I can hear it whine clearly while turning in park in the garage. But ... I just got brand new front tires which is a factor in the level of friction while steering. I am not sure if the power steering pump is quieter than before with the Amsoil synthetic mercon ATF in there. I never paid close attention to steering systems until this incident with the brown power steering fluid. I am so glad that I noticed it. If anything unusual happens in the coming months/years I will update this thread.

 

check for air/foaming in the pwr steering ATF
air leak in return line can cause foaming which will cause high pressure whine on turns

the pump cylinder and vanes are pitted and rough from the water and rust in the system...rust is a perfect grinding abrasive
your pump may smooth up over time or eat itself out and fail

at least it doesn't whine, growl howl in Park like most Ford pumps do on Type F...one never hears a GM product pwr steering pump howl unless it's a woman driver trying to move a curb while parking or she just has to turn the steering wheel stop to stop while in Park, poor belt

 

No it doesn't make any noise sitting in park or while driving. And we just had a snow storm. I tested turning the steering wheel in the snow, and it makes very little or no noise turning in the snow. So it is likely the friction of turning the wheel in the garage in park with new tires that makes it work harder in that situation. But even then, it's not a terrible whine, it just sounds like it's working harder. I would be curious to know what other pumps sound like with sythetic ATF and/or Type F PS fluid in there to compare it with mine. I wish I paid more attention to the sound it made before.

p.s. ~~~ I didn't know that Ford pumps whine and howl like that in park. I am very glad to have synthetic ATF in there now. Thanks very much.

 

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/p...rotectant.html

this may help those with noisy pumps who don't want to replace the pump now...I've used it in imports with too small rated pumps that are noisy....works....
also cleans out system of old varnish, broken down thick blockages of old fluid....softens and swells leaking old harden shrunken seals