Power steering fluid

[dmdigital]

Well as we all know: Oyl's ain't Oyls Sol

And I'm now suspecting the same is true for Power steering fluids. Dullbird pointed out to me last weekend that the Puma has green Powersteering fluid, not the red stuff:confused:

Anyway a little hunting around and the Puma's handbook says to use Texaco Cold Climate 33270 PAS fluid with the following addendum:
Note: The colour of the specified power steering fluid may differ from that used to fill the system during manufacture. This is not cause for concern.

Whilst the previous models all had either ATF M2C 33 F, G or L or ATF Dexron II D for the Tdi with the Td5 also allowing for ATF Dexron II E or III

OK so colour isn't important, but I suspect you don't want to mix different types. My understanding was that Dexron II D could be replaced with Dexron III but the stuff in the Puma doesn't seem to have a compatibility list that I can find.

At least the PS reservoir is the same plastic thingy as it's always been.

I'll need some spare fluids for next year's big trip so I'm researching now.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The D2 requires a Cold Climate fluid as well,,
I was told Transmax Z was a suitable replacement,,
(which is handy as it suits ACE and the Auto also)
I think Redline also make one now,,

[dmdigital]

Should have also mentioned the D2 does also use Cold Climate, like you mentioned but its a different spec fluid to Puma :confused:

I wonder what the D3 uses? Just checked on-line and the owner's handbook says Texaco Cold Climate PAS fluid without any numeric qualifier :confused:

[justinc]

Derek,

The Cold climate Caltex type stuff is what we use, I now have to buy it by the litre from the dealer:(

It is also used in ACE systems on D2's .

I'd take a litre with you. From memory about $11.00?

DO NOT mix it with Dex of any type.

JC

[dmdigital]

Thanks Justin, I couldn't find a reference to anything in the Caltex range but suspected there was something equivalent. Doesn't LR use all Castrol oils and fluids though?

[justinc]

Thanks Justin, I couldn't find a reference to anything in the Caltex range but suspected there was something equivalent. Doesn't LR use all Castrol oils and fluids though?

Derek,

I've come across the caltex lack of info aswell. A friend of mine worked until recently for our distributor and I could get bulk LR spec oils such as MTF94 and PAS/ACE fluid. The replacement at the depot has no idea:mad: so it is easier ATM for me to just order the amount I need from the dealer.

Hmmm, so , Caltex DID make MTF94 and the PAS/ACE fluid but Now after the latest issue getting info from them perhaps you're right, they don't supply LR anymore??
:confused:
JC

[Bundalene]

Derek,

I've come across the caltex lack of info aswell. A friend of mine worked until recently for our distributor and I could get bulk LR spec oils such as MTF94 and PAS/ACE fluid. The replacement at the depot has no idea:mad: so it is easier ATM for me to just order the amount I need from the dealer.

Hmmm, so , Caltex DID make MTF94 and the PAS/ACE fluid but Now after the latest issue getting info from them perhaps you're right, they don't supply LR anymore??
:confused:
JC

Justin -
Just a side from this, I bought a 20l drum of MTF94 from Caltex about 18 months ago, but they have since run out of the particular batch and was advised are not making any more. We have the Sydney depot up the road where they are excellent with their information.

Erich.

[Graeme]

The D2 requires a Cold Climate fluid as well,,
I was told Transmax Z was a suitable replacement,,
(which is handy as it suits ACE and the Auto also)

Do you happen to have a reference for this? I can't find such a recommendation on the Castrol website.

[TimNZ]

Hi Derek, Can you not get some from LR? I know you will probably pay through the nose for it! But at least you won't have to worry about flushing the entire system if the oil isn't exactly the same, or have any warranty "issues".
You could always do what I did and wait for the fitting on the bottom of the PAS pump to come undone and dump most of the fluid all over the road, your driveway, and garage floor. Then get the car trucked into LR to get the resivor topped up and nick the rest of the bottle off them.

Cheers,

Tim

[Blknight.aus]

the Puma has green Powersteering fluid, not the red stuff


I think someone needs to explain to ford about landrovers greening policy...

I think that ford is doing it wrong...

[PAT303]

MTF 94 is not available anymore,I ask at our local depot.The replacement is an ATF which is why I changed to redline. Pat

[Bundalene]

Do you happen to have a reference for this? I can't find such a recommendation on the Castrol website.

Sorry Graham, answering Justins question I meant Caltex, not Castrol. I took a pic of the label

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1787/oct23114tr0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Cheers, Erich.

[one_iota]

My experience was the same as TimNZ the bottom hose on the PAS pump was loose.

This happened today. See my post here:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/66028-kelvinator-springs-its-first-oil-leak.html

I've used Penrite PAS Fluid:

http://www.penrite.com.au/files/0B25RCG19J/PAS%20Fluid.pdf

based on a search:

http://www.ew2.lubesinfo.com/frameset.asp'sid=205&bid=79&sc=1205&langid=16

[dmdigital]

Tim, getting that kind of stuff sent in is very costly. If I can get it via Caltex then I don't incur freight charges (2L of hazardous goods - can't just post it). Can't even pick it up when I fly out for a holiday:(

So the PS reservoir is still the same old POS. No surprise really.


I think someone needs to explain to ford about landrovers greening policy...

I think that ford is doing it wrong...
They sold it to Tata it might be curry paste or something;)

[Graeme]

Sorry Graham, answering Justins question I meant Caltex, not Castrol. I took a pic of the labelCheers, Erich.

Hi Erich,
I was referring to Pedro-the-swift's comment about Transmax Z, which IIRC is made by Castrol.

I have MTF94 but use Syntrans these days.

[CraigE]

Forgive my ignorance, JC may be able to answer this. But why are we using cold climate fluids in most of the mainland. I would have thought this would be for Europe, may be Tassie and the Alpine areas.
Surely there is a compatable alternative that is much more readily available?? OK may require flushing initially but would surely be better long term.:confused:

[dmdigital]

Forgive my ignorance, JC may be able to answer this. But why are we using cold climate fluids in most of the mainland. I would have thought this would be for Europe, may be Tassie and the Alpine areas.
Surely there is a compatable alternative that is much more readily available?? OK may require flushing initially but would surely be better long term.:confused:
Valid question, makes you wonder what they run in Africa too. My ambient temp up here rarely drops much below 18C in winter and that's for an hour or so over night only

[one_iota]

Finally found the technical data on the Texaco stuff:

https://www.cbest.chevron.com/generated/MSDS/PDS2807674.PDF


The specs are very similar to the Penrite PAS Fluid I posted above

[rick130]

Forgive my ignorance, JC may be able to answer this. But why are we using cold climate fluids in most of the mainland. I would have thought this would be for Europe, may be Tassie and the Alpine areas.
Surely there is a compatable alternative that is much more readily available?? OK may require flushing initially but would surely be better long term.:confused:

The old PAS 14315, and the newer PAS 33270 that replaces it are a semi-synthetic fluid (not sure exactly what the bases are, they won't tell me) that was formulated by Texaco UK for the ACE and PAS systems. It incorporates a couple of friction modifiers to inhibit groan and squwark in steering systems too.
Being semi-syn it has a high VI which makes it suitable for low and high temps.

I use Transmax Z to replace it in power steering systems, the feel is very close to the OE fluid and there are no noises in operation, whereas most off the shelf ATF's change the feel of the steering compared to PAS 14315 and aren't exactly quiet.
IMO the Transmax Z will cope better at the high temps that you will get off road when swinging from lock to lock compared to PAS 14315. Nissan Patrols incorporate a power steering cooler to combat this.
Redline's recommendation for Holden and Ford PAS systems when used for racing and rallying used to be MTL, to combat fluid boiling. ;)

Transmax Z also meets the GL4 gear oil spec, although it doesn't mention this on the published spec sheet. It's a very robust, relatively high viscosity PAO/ester ATF.
There are a number of very good ATF's out that would probably fill the bill, but the Castrol is the easiest to get and probably the most cost effective.

Pedro and I discussed about it's suitability in the ACE system and he tried it and has been using it for a while now. <edit> it's green too ;)

As has been noted in a couple of the posts above, a couple of the oil blenders are now offering fluids they claim are close to the original PAS 14315.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

The D2 requires a Cold Climate fluid as well,,
I was told Transmax Z was a suitable replacement,,
(which is handy as it suits ACE and the Auto also)
I think Redline also make one now,,


Do you happen to have a reference for this? I can't find such a recommendation on the Castrol website.

was told by the service manager at sunshine coast LR.
LR could no longer supply.

[dmdigital]

Just need to bump this thread.

There's a Puma in town that's blow a P/S hose - though I suspect it's the loose fitting problem. It's not mine but Stuuu's just called as they are chasing correct PAS fluid. The Castrol system still says to "refer to dealer" and all we have is what's in the manuals.

Is anyone any closer to a Castrol fluid substitute that can be used??????

[stig0000]

transmax z, green stuff,,, in all PAS,ACE, dynamic response, and enhanced dynamic response,

it has to be in all the new cars, 2005-on(d3/rrs all them cars) or it WILL kill the hydrolic sys, as we have found out to our expence,

[Pedro_The_Swift]

penrite make a PAS substitute,,

not sure I'd run it in a new Puma though,,,

Transmax z is the go,,

[BigJon]

I lost my PS fluid last weekend between Robe and Beachport. Luckily it was a loose fitting that stopped leaking when tightened. All we had to hand for a top up was engine oil. It got me home (300 km or so) where I then drained and flushed (four litres) the PS system.

Does anyone think there might be long term ill effects?

[Fluids]

I'm using the Penrite PAS in the D2a ... Penrite spec' it for this application in place of the LR specified fluid.

So far, no issues. Don't know if the Puma is the same stuff.... a quick look at the Penrite web site shows ...

Defender 2.4TD 90/110/130 DT 2007- Sole recommendation, PAS Fluid

... same as the D2.

PAS FLUID - Penrite Oil (http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/specialty-automotive-products/pas_fluid)

Kev..