power steering fluid

[edbmoney]

2000 accord ex v-6.

fluid at lower level so want to add. bought a quart at the dealer, and it's clear. looks like my current stuff is tinted red. i told the guy the make of car and i assumed he gave me the right stuff. kinda afraid to add this stuff.

[Accordlover]

2000 accord ex v-6.

fluid at lower level so want to add. bought a quart at the dealer, and it's clear. looks like my current stuff is tinted red. i told the guy the make of car and i assumed he gave me the right stuff. kinda afraid to add this stuff.

I'll put my money on the fact that you bought this car used?

If there's red fluid in there, some idiot changed the fluid and didn't use the HONDA fluid which is the ONLY fluid you can use in a Honda P/S system. All the others cause the seals to fail and leaks happen. I'm gonna bet your rack and pinion is leaking now, or you have a leak at the pump itself.

It's time to determine where the leak is, get all that old stuff out (maybe pay a dealer to flush it out), then replace your failed part, and refill with Honda P/S fluid.

[cajun]

I changed my PS fluid a month or so ago, and IIRC it's mostly clear with a tint of red. Pour a little on a paper towel to see. My six year old OEM PS fluid had a light brown to reddish tint to it, so you may be okay.

An easier solution may be to buy 2-3 bottles of Honda PS fluid and a turkey baster. Use the baster to empty the old fluid and then fill with new. To mix in the new fluid either drive it around or jack up the front and move the wheel back and forth several times. Repeat the drain/fill process several times until the fluid looks like new. Monitor the level to see how bad your leak is.

[Accordlover]

Clean Honda P/S fluid looks blue from the outside of the reservoir.