Help! Pinkish Colored Power Steering Fluid

[havighurst]

I am looking to purchase a 99 Sable. I took it to a mechanic to have it inspected and he discovered it had pinkish colored power steering fluid. The mechanic wasn't sure what would cause it without further tear down- $$. Has anyone ever heard of this or have any ideas what might need to be repaired and the approx. price?



Any assistance is appreciated.

[dbhost]

Using Dextron / Mercon ATF fluid in the power steering box. That is not exactly a problem. Now if we are talking Pepto Bismol Pink that would be a different story altogether....

[havighurst]

It was described as the color of strawberry milk - I guess that is pepto pink. What does that mean and is it an expensive repair?

[dbhost]

Sounds like the fluid is getting whipped by a worn PS pump. But really hard to tell without seeing it. Did you see it? Was it frothy looking? Bubbly? It sounds like a bad PS pump to me. I would guess it is a little noisy too...

[havighurst]

I didn't see it, but test drove the car and did not hear the whine of a pump going bad. I wasn't sure if it was some sort of stop leak. Any idea how much PS pumps cost to replace?

[Daryl]

I would suspect a water-air mixture caused by a leaking hose. Try draining the system and refilling with fresh to see if there is an improvement.
I am surprised your mechanic is clueless unless you spend more money. He should be able to give an estimate on replacing the pump.

[tommyt654]

I would look for another mechanic

[havighurst]

They recommended draining the fluid and refilling to check for leaks, but since I was looking to purchase the vehicle, it didn't want to pay to fix someone else's car. The mechanic did say that it could be nothing, a leak, or something serious that could cause the power steering to fail and be very costly to repair. I had my doubts about what I was told, that is why I am coming to the experts.

We are hesitant to pursue purchasing this car for our 16yo if there could be a major safety issue or a costly repair.

[Uncle Cracker]

I think the seller should make the problem whole, or else I'd steer clear...

[pelligrini]

It could have been as simple as someone lacking in the head dept. and putting water in the PS pump. Thinking radiator reservoir or windshield washer reservoir. That wouldn't inspire confidence in making it a purchase either.

The seller should fix it before. I'd pass it's a buyers market right now.

[Tom Slick]

I would just have the power steering fluid flushed and keep an eye on it. I agree with the others that it somehow got water in it.

[billwmeyer]

Do you know if the car has set undriven for awhile? I have seen condensation get into something like this if undriven. I have almost always use ATF fluid in power steering pumps, because it is cheaper and usualy have it on hand. I feel it is a minor problem, if you don't hear the pump squeal or moan.

Bill

[woodturner]

I'd pass it's a buyers market right now.

Whether it is a buyers or sellers market can be a very localized thing. In much of the US, it's a seller's market for used cars. Because of the economic stress, people are buying (less expensive) used cars rather than new cars when they have to buy a car.

[gjat]

I would look for another mechanic

Second that comment. If your mechanic couldn't have provided advice without asking for more $$, then steer clear. I'm not a mechanic, but I'm responsible for a couple of dozen vehicles.

My free opinion/advice: Pinkish power steering fluid 'probably' means moisture in the fluid from how it's described. Moisture can get in there from a number of reasons. Loose cap, flooding, drivng through a big puddle, over-enthusiastic pressure washing of the engine.... Regardless of how it got there or what's caused it, it's a problem and you don't seem to have a trustworthy enought mechanic to take the gamble. Don't buy the car.

[sscherin]

Milkshake looking oil means there is water in there..
Not a good sign at all.. I'd suspect it's a flood car.

Have you run it through CarFax yet?

I'd pass on this one and keep looking