Power steering fluid recommendations on '02 coupe

stevenccox

Junior Member
Messages
52
Hi all. Noticed some odd noises when turning at very low speeds on first run after my 4200 came out of the garage for 9 months so have checked the power steering fluid levels (based on old posts here - thanks!). Definitely low (couldn't even see it on the dip stick) so will have to get some fluid to top up. So...
1. Any recommendations of power steering fluid for an '02 coupe?
2. What colour should the fluid be? Odd question but mine looks like a murky grey colour (see pictures) and have read elsewhere it could be green or red.
3. What can cause a drop in power steering fluid levels? I couldn't see any leaks / puddles on the floor under the car (and I didn't check the levels before it went away for the winter) so is this a natural thing?
 

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conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
35,126
Crack the nut where the pipe meets the rack, lower one, drain thoroughly and replace with Shell Spirax S4 ATF HDX.

Rotate the steering to bleed and top up as necessary.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
6,094
Hi all. Noticed some odd noises when turning at very low speeds on first run after my 4200 came out of the garage for 9 months so have checked the power steering fluid levels (based on old posts here - thanks!). Definitely low (couldn't even see it on the dip stick) so will have to get some fluid to top up. So...
1. Any recommendations of power steering fluid for an '02 coupe?
2. What colour should the fluid be? Odd question but mine looks like a murky grey colour (see pictures) and have read elsewhere it could be green or red.
3. What can cause a drop in power steering fluid levels? I couldn't see any leaks / puddles on the floor under the car (and I didn't check the levels before it went away for the winter) so is this a natural thing?

Have a look through the front grill and see if the power steering cooler has perished. It runs across the front of the main radiator.

This is the part your looking for to give you an idea. Look / shine a torch through the front grill and they tend to show signs of leaking on the left side as you look from the front. Drips onto the under tray so you wont see it till it dripping until it fails totally.

1000021689.jpg

Picture showing the whole rad pack in situ below and also a picture of mine when it was leaking

1000021691.jpg1000021695.jpg
 
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conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
35,126
As Stu says if you think you have a leak, there will be a wet stain down one side.

Marios at Autoshield has them made as NLA, front bumper off which is a bit of a mission.
 

stevenccox

Junior Member
Messages
52
Thanks all. Shell Spirax now on order as I know I‘ll need that no matter what. Will have a look to see if there are any sparkles in the existing fluid and will take a look at the cooler through the grill to see if there are any leaks.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
6,094

Scaf

Member
Messages
6,946
My first MC Granturismo started to drop fluid from a seal if I left it parked with the wheels turned, but nothing if the wheels were left straight.
I was lucky in that it was covered by a third party Warranty that came with the car, they fitted a new rack.
Hope yours is a simpler fix.
 

Moz1000

Member
Messages
824
Still waiting on the Shell Spirax to arrive. Does anyone know of a suitable alternative (in case it doesn't turn up)? From what I can find, Triple QX ATF DX III (https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/triple-qx-atf-dexron-iii-1-litre-522776012) should be an alternative?
I have some spare 1 litre bottles of Shell Spirax listed on Ebay which can post pdq.
Moz
 

stevenccox

Junior Member
Messages
52
The saga continues… got some Triple QX fluid, filled PS reservoir, 3x full lock turns, topped the fluid back up. Seemed ok, took the car for a short (2 mile) journey, checked the PS reservoir… empty! Put a small a small amount of fluid in and looked through the grill and under the car, definite leak. Thoughts on next steps?
 

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spkennyuk

Member
Messages
6,094
The saga continues… got some Triple QX fluid, filled PS reservoir, 3x full lock turns, topped the fluid back up. Seemed ok, took the car for a short (2 mile) journey, checked the PS reservoir… empty! Put a small a small amount of fluid in and looked through the grill and under the car, definite leak. Thoughts on next steps?
Its your power steering cooler thats leaking. Its burst behind the braket top left of your first picture.

Marios at autoshield has them in stock.1000021835.jpg
 

stevenccox

Junior Member
Messages
52
@marios kriticos would you be able to help me with a cost of a power steering cooler for a Maserati coupe 2002 please? I filled in the contact us form on the auto shield website earlier in the week after I couldn’t get through on the phone but haven’t had any response.