The fluid in this reservoir is black and smells burnt. What does this mean?
2007-07-21 11:29:54 · 8 answers · asked by douglas H 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ BMW
I have a 93 325is and i know exactly what that is. it is the power steering reservoir. safe to use mercon 3 or 4 (4 being the easiest to find) Automatic Trans Fluid. I know it sounds weird but it will be fine. For some strange reason dirt seems to find its way into everything over time. The fluid is black from dirt, gunk, and years of build up. an older BMW like yours should be easy to flush and re-fill for cheap (maybe $60)
2007-07-21 11:56:58 · answer #1 · answered by What Pirate? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ATF, stands for Automatic Transmission Fluid. This is basically hydraulic fluid. Many power steering systems use ATF. Since ATF is a hydraulic oil it is also used in many clutch master cylinders as well.Look at the bottom of the reservoir for a hose,and follow it to where it goes. That will tell you what it is for. If it is black and smells burnt, it should be drained and refilled.
2007-07-21 12:04:36 · answer #2 · answered by Brian A 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For the same reason they flush automatic transmissions now you should also flush your power steering fluid, which is the resorvoir you were questioning. It is basically easy to do, just messy as heck. take the smaller hose off the bottom of the resorvoir, cap off the resorvoir and run the return hose into a container. Refill the power steering resorvoir and get someone to crank it up. Pour a couple of quarts of ATF thru the system or until you like the color of the returned fluid. Don't turn the steering wheel during this process because doing so increases pump pressure and it will make a mess. Good luck and be careful.
2007-07-21 12:02:24 · answer #3 · answered by Richard B 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If this reservoir is at the front of the engine then it's for the power steering. Clutch fluid is usually the same as brake fluid.l
2007-07-21 11:33:13 · answer #4 · answered by Trackerrrr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your power steering reservoir. Read the section on power steering fluid (page 6) in the link. Many people don't know there's actually a filter inside the reservoir!
http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/2006_n206_newsletter.pdf#page=4
2007-07-21 17:27:04 · answer #5 · answered by Snowie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi
2016-05-19 06:55:49 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats for the power steering,auto transmission fluid.(ATF)
2007-07-23 00:40:48 · answer #7 · answered by george.m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ATF is transmission fluid.
2007-07-21 15:15:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋