I have an '01 Ranger 4x2, 2.5 ltr 4-cyl. When getting my oil change done recently, I was told (as usual with those express lube centers), that my power steering fluid was (light) brown as opposed to the nice red color it is when it's new. They said it's a typical Ford "problem" and that it should be renewed. Now I only have 36,000 miles on that truck, most from highway.

Does my PS fluid need changing or was this another sales pitch from the Express Lube dude?

Thanks for any comments.

Cheers,

 

I don't really know. I can say that my 97 Ranger 2.3 L has brown power steering fluid at 180 K and it even has a burnt odor to it. The power steering pump has been a bit noisy for a while now, not sure for how long, but maybe a couple of years. It still works fine but when I turn the wheel severely to the point that it is all the way at it's stop (left or right) the engine seems to stumble a little until the computer can correct the idle speed. Also, when the truck was new there was some sort of "event" with the power steering pump where it burnt up some fluid and some fluid had to be added, but I have only had to add a little fluid once since then in all this time! I don't know if power steering fluid is hygroscopic like brake fluid, but if it is, then it is probably a good idea to replace it occasionally. Also, it would seem to make sense that if it is discolored in some way, it may have picked up material from aging seals or worn parts in the pump in some way, or maybe it has just been chemically altered from high heat. Does yours smell burnt?

I guess I would replace the fluid, the only thing stopping me from doing it so far is that I guess it will have to be bled somehow and I have to look into it. Mine sounds kinda like a Singer Sewing Machine so I'm probably going to try replacing it with a remanufactured one soon.

George

 

Dear George, just checked, not smelling burned and it's really a reddish-brown... I think it will be fine for a bit longer; remember, it was a brand-new truck with mostly highway miles, not much steering action there... thank you for your thoughts, I'll keep all in mind. Cheers, Carsten

 

If its brown at all and ESPECIALLY if its smelly. I would replace it. Its cheap to get flushed and its the lube for the pump. So if you let it go to far you WILL end up buying a new power steering pump. And those are not cheap. In fact it sounds like myrangertruck has one thats way past its prime.

Myt 2 cents. Do yourself a favor and replace all fluids in your truck at the recommended interval. An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure....