Steering making groaning noise when parked

[Sickblueb5]

I checked the power steering fluid and it was nearly black, and at the minimum fill level... I topped the the fluid off with a bit of prestone power steering fluid and it helped. But the car is still making some noises. So I was wondering if flushing the system out would fix my problem, and if Prestone products are ok to use with a VW.

THE cap to power steering says only to use mineral based fluid, I could not find if my prestone fluid was mineral based neither on the bottle or their website, its very vague and says it works for most any car manufacture globally... But hey, I figured I would ask first before I go flushing it and cause any further damage.

Thanks, Steve.

Car: 1999 Passat B5, V6 5spd FWD (od:150K)

Prestone site -
http://www.prestone.com/products/functionalFluids.php
( I bought the fluid in the red bottle. Second one up from the bottom of this link.)

[Inkarnata]

Most likely bad idea to use that stuff. I can't tell from the bottle, but VWs MUST use Pentosin/Mineral Oil based power steering fluids. Get thee to a VW/Audi dealer for some fluids and flush pronto. Or order online from the various sponsors of this forum...

[scotts13]

I checked the power steering fluid and it was nearly black, and at the minimum fill level... I topped the the fluid off with a bit of prestone power steering fluid and it helped. But the car is still making some noises. So I was wondering if flushing the system out would fix my problem, and if Prestone products are ok to use with a VW.

That bottle of Prestone is going to be the most expensive fluid you've ever bought for your car - 'cause it's gonna destroy your $900 steering rack in short order. Absolutely, positively use ONLY the original VW-labeled "mineral fluid" - period.

Old, black fluid doesn't usually cause the steering to make noise - a bad pump does, or the rack itself. But since you have to flush it (right now) anyway, replace with the proper VW green stuff and see what happens.

[Inkarnata]

and I'll venture a guess that the reason WHY it's black is the rack...check the inner tie rod boots and make sure they aren't torn/cracked.

[deusexaethera]

Has the fluid ever been topped off with the cheap stuff before? If so, your rack is probably already toast.

VW likes biodegradeable fluids, or at least non-toxic. The steering fluid is mineral oil with a few additives in it. You'd have been better off using baby oil, honestly.

[Sickblueb5]

Ok so nearly all of you tell me that using presone ($3.60@walmart) is bad compared to the dealers power steering ($22.00) I have flushed the system like 4 times using the prestone and havent gotten around to another flush with the VW Dealer stuff so I will do that today before I make my trip to work. But with Prestone in there it works fine... Im a college student and that $22 could be alot more usefull spent somewhere else if VW's fluid isnt going to change anything. But I also dont want to slowly kill the steering system either, so I will most likley just end up using VW stuff what do you think?

I havent opened the VW fluid yet but i'm pretty hesitant to use it now, especially seeing that the poweer steering is smoother than ever... ive only had the car since November 09 though and im pretty sure the fluid was low from day one, it just didn't show any problems until just the other day when i heard noise.

[rayj]

................i'm pretty hesitant to use it now, especially seeing that the poweer steering is smoother than ever...

I wouldn't be hesitant. I think the spec is there for a reason and you don't really want to risk a 1k$ repair bill in the future if $22 is meaningful to you.

[scotts13]

I've been on the VW forums (here and elsewhere) for going on four years. I've seen a least a half-dozen people suffer steering rack failures shortly after even adding non-VW fluid, let alone replacing all of it. The rack seals (which aren't replaceable) start to leak and the rack has to be replaced. Clinches it for me.

[Sickblueb5]

Ok, thanks guys. I did end up using the vw fluid after all.

[tryin2vw]

The prestone fluid is not compatible with the seals in the PS pump and rack. That is why to use the $22/l Pentosin PS fluid. It will probably take 2 liters for a complete flush.

[tr6g]

I have a 01 v6 . The power seering is starting to make groaning noise . It seems to get worst when it is warmed up . Does this sound like the pup or something else. It is not losing fluid.