How hot??
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: columbia
How hot??
Hey guys, I was trying to find out how hot the power steering fluid in my truck gets? I have a 70 F-250 4x4 and was thinking of hooking the return line off the pump into my auto transmission fluid coolerin the radiator since I have a 4spd. Will it work? My truck usually runs at 180 degees but has got up to 200+ a time or two. The radiator is brand new. Thanks for the help.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 2
From: Southeast FLA
How hot??
I don't know how hot it gets, but remember you'll be reducing the efficiency of the radiator to cool your engine if you add an additional heat source.
I had a Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo that had a power steering fluid cooler (separate from the radiator), so apparently the stuff could stand being cooled. Personally I feel the biggest issue is filtering the power steering fluid. There are aftermarket power steering fluid filters that can be clamped between a cut line.
I had a Mazda MX-6 GT Turbo that had a power steering fluid cooler (separate from the radiator), so apparently the stuff could stand being cooled. Personally I feel the biggest issue is filtering the power steering fluid. There are aftermarket power steering fluid filters that can be clamped between a cut line.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
How hot??
The Taurus SHO from the lat 80s early 90s had power steering coolers. They were little radiators like things about the size of two packs of cigs taped together. They sat somewhere in the airstream in front of the radiator. A lot of the Chevy cop cars also had the cooler. You might check the yards for one of these models. Shouldn't be hard to adapt.
I think on cop cars it is assumed the engine will be running frequently thus generating heat in the fluid with no air flow and the cops often drive more aggressively than the usual blue hair so the steering may get more of a workout.
I would guess that unless you do a lot of idling or stop and go in hot weather, you probably won't have any problems with heat in the fluid. I have heard however, that changing the fluid periodically is very worthwhile to do.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I think on cop cars it is assumed the engine will be running frequently thus generating heat in the fluid with no air flow and the cops often drive more aggressively than the usual blue hair so the steering may get more of a workout.
I would guess that unless you do a lot of idling or stop and go in hot weather, you probably won't have any problems with heat in the fluid. I have heard however, that changing the fluid periodically is very worthwhile to do.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
