[Rojeda1217]

You have a 2004 Sienna? What does it say on the PS reservoir cap? I found three manuals for the 2004 model year ... all say to use Dexron II/III (Dexron ATF). I don't think clear/yellow fluid is Dexron ATF ... however the "dirty" fluid you took out (the left bottle in your pic I assume?) does appear to look more like Dexron ...

What does the label on the bottle the dealership sold you say?

It says dextron at the bottom in small letters.

When I baught my van in 2016.she had clear fluid in the resavoir.i remember when I started topping it off when the rack was leaking in june 2017,I used Lucas type3.when the rack was chamged first that month,type 4 was used to fill up whatever the system didnt have.drove fine but always had a shake when you turned it left to right.5 to 6 months laternovember 2017,rack started clunking and leaking from the seals.it was switched out and the Johnsens from the dealership was used to fill the system.since then until recently,high pressure hose swapped and jonsens fluid was used.

 

[jkowtko]

It says "Dexron", so confirm with the Manual ... if the manual says "Dexron Type II or III then I would get rid of this clear stuff and get some Dexron II or III ... a lot of manufacturers make it (I bought Valvoline myself) ... and one quart is enough to flush out the whole system.

The reason I say this is because people (including myself) were able to stop boot leaks by changing from the clear stuff to the Dexron, so the difference in the fluids evidently relates to how it interacts with the rubber seals ... it seems that on occasion dealerships and auto shops are accidentally putting the wrong fluid in.

I had a similar issue with my Mercedes, for which there are also two fluids ... I think the indy put the wrong one in because my car developed a bad steering shudder, that I was able to eliminate over time by flushing with the correct fluid.

I also had something different but possibly connected, with the 2006 Toyota Matrix that we bought used for the kids' college car ... the PS fluid was also clear on this car when we bought it, but there was a gel like sludge at the bottom of the fluid reservoir ... I had to remove the reservoir completely from the car and it took about an hour to flush the sludge out with cleaners ... then put some fresh Dexron II/III and everything was fine from then on.

It's your car though ... this is only a suggestion ...

 

[Locke888]

Just did this yesterday. 2004 sienna 200,000 miles, very dark fluid. Instead of turning the wheels I just started the engine. Fluid came out quick but I had no problems. I used 1.5 quarts for the job. Found Dexron III at autozone (clearish amber color). Going to bravely flush my transmission using PMTF method hopefully this weekend....

 

[jkowtko]

What brand of Dexron III did you get? I've only heard of Dexron II/III or Dex/Merc to be a cherry red color.

 

[Locke888]

It was Auto zone brand. The guy at the counter said it was Dexron III according to his system. It was also the same color as my wife’s Camry fluid (which was in good shape). What I pulled out of my sienna was definitely not originally red or pink. So my assumption was it was what I needed. I’m no car expert so now I’m a little confused. It’s running fine though.... so far

 

[jkowtko]

If you are going to stay with that clear fluid then I suggest you check under the car every few weeks for the next several months to see if a steering rack leak develops ... that is the problem I and others have faced, that was corrected by using Dexron II/III ATF.

 

[Locke888]

Thanks, I’ll keep an eye on it. Just in case though, what brand did you get of the pink Dexron III? I looked for ATF Dexron III and did not see it on the shelf there. That’s when I asked for help.

 

[jkowtko]

 

[Locke888]

Thanks. This is a great message board.

 

[Rojeda1217]

200 miles later. No leaks so far. Fluid still clear.Surprising the resavoir stopped leaking. Steering wheel smooth as can be. Pump still noisy. So far so good. I will continue to keep checking

 

[jkowtko]

What noise is the pump making? Can you post an audio file?

Regarding use of the clear fluid, just check under the rack boots every few weeks for the next several months to see if you start to develop a leak in the seals ... unfortunately it may be hard to detect at first because the fluid will seep into the boot ... but eventually it should start to look wet.

 

[Rojeda1217]

5 months all good so far with the clear.

This is my youtube video of the sound

 

[Rojeda1217]

I think i will switch to atf3 eventually. Maybe it possibly the issue? The thickness of the fluid

 

[jkowtko]

In the audio clip, I hear the high whine most of the time, and I also hear a lower whine around 0:53-54. I'm probably more interested in the lower whine as that sounds like bearing noise to me.

you can pinpoint the source of the noise better with one of those auto stethescopes, or just hold a screwdriver against the various components and you may be able to feel the vibration.

As for fluid -- if it's this stuff:

I would get it out of there as soon as you can. IMHO that is definitely not Dexron 3.

-- John

 

[Rojeda1217]

Yea im using the jonsens clear power steering fluid that I was getting at toyota. One of these days I'll flush out for some dextron type 3. The lower toned noise is only when I turn the wheel at a stop . the higher noise is on when the car is in drive or neutral. This high toned whine started after changing the high pressure power steering hose. There might have been some old lucas atf 3 and 4 originally before the change out. I have been replacing the atf with the dealer recomnended stuff after my new rack started to leak from everywhere with using dextron type 4. Topped it off with type 3 for a while until I had it changed again and used the dealer stuff, the Johnsens . No issues. The high pressure hose went bad, changed out and the noise started. The hose was custom from a hydraulic shop instead of going with a toyota one.

 

[jkowtko]

Low noise -- when my Mercedes had the wrong fluid the system would shudder when under pressure, for example when turning the wheels when not moving. Turning the wheels when not moving puts extra hydraulic Load on the system, which amplifies any problems you have in the system. In my case the wrong fluid was swelling the rubber seals.

You could have the same issue.

Johnsen's does not look like Dexron 3. I would not trust the Toyota dealership ... I got conflicting recommendations from my dealership on the clear vs Dexron fluid, since they are both inexpensive fluids I am sticking with what is in the manual and on the reservoir cap vs what anyone tells me.

-- John

 

[Fern Green]

I did not change the Power Steering fluid on my first 1998 Sienna and only ended up needing the rack and pinion changed. Not cheap. I am now driving a 2003 Sienna and when I asked the dealer about changing the fluid, they said I did not need to. Not liking that advice, searched on line and talked to Canadian Tire who advised it should be changed. Got a turkey baster, a short section of silicone tube and 3 Litres of Mobile ATF Dextron III (from the Dealer). The reservoir is emptied at approx 250 ml. Have emptied the reservoir three times already, turned the steering end to end repeatedly after each time, and will continue to do this until all 3 litres are used up. That should be 12 to 13 times. That should significantly replace the power steering fluid. During one of the draining procedures I accidentally pushed out the silicone tube in to the reservoir. Got the rest of the fluid out with another better inserted tube (into the baster) and could see the tube laying at the bottom. Got it out with two long bamboo skewers acting like tweezers, whew...

 

[jkowtko]

Fyi earlier this week I flushed the PS fluid again:

1. I used Valvoline Dex/Merc (Dexron-III) again ... the price went up to $10+tax this time around
2. Using a floor jack against the center engine crossmember I jacked up the car so the front wheels just cleared the ground.
3. To drain the reservoir initially, this time I did not bother using a syringe ... I just pulled the return hose carefully off the reservoir nipple and caught all fluid in a cup. I had a bunch of paper towels set underneath to catch drips. Not much dripping this way.
4. Clear tubing (7/16 OD?) from return hose into a quart sized exit container sitting in the engine bay.
5. As an easy alternative to plugging the reservoir return nipple, instead I attached a piece of clear tubing to the nipple and tilted it upward to raise the tubing above the top of the reservoir to keep the fluid level in the hose.
6. Key in ignition to first detent to release steering lock
7. Filled the reservoir to the top with fresh fluid
8. Turned wheel lock to lock once. That drained the reservoir completely and pumped the fluid through the system and into the exit container
9. Repeated Steps 7-8 a total of three times.
10. Reservoir is drained at this point, and I had about 1/4 bottle of fresh fluid left.
11. Removed clear tubings and reconnected the return hose to the reservoir.
11. Refilled reservoir to proper cold level.
12. Lowered jack, started engine and turned wheels lock to lock. Checked and topped off fluid level.

Interestingly the steering feels a bit firmer after the flush ... it was really easy, almost too easy, before with the old fluid. I think the feel has improved. Maybe the Valvoline fluid breaks down after a few years? Anyway it feels like it has improved a bit.

Sorry, no pics on this one ... I was in a hurry and forgot.

-- John