Which power steering fluid to use?

[Spetznaaz]

I've been searching the net for a while now and can't find a definitive answer.

On the cap it says to use mineral only and has the number G002000.

From my research there are three, CHF11S, CHF202 and CHF7.1 by "Pentosin". Now people are saying use CHF11S or CHF202 and from what i've read CHF7.1 hasn't been used in a long time.

The problem is, Pentosin CHF11S and CHF202 are both synthetic which i have read can cause serious damage if used when it says to use mineral only.

My PS fluid is way below the minimum so as soon as i buy it i'm going to have to top up in the car park - For all i know the old 7.1 is currently in there, which i have heard should not be mixed with the other two.

I did find this, which is apparently equivalent to G002000 and is green and mineral.. but everyone who get's it from the dealer is given synthetic from what i've read... https://www.gsfcarparts.com/980vg0140

So yeah very confused here, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[bwdysart]

CHF202 is newer version of 11s, and they are compatible fluids, both of which meet Audi spec. I used 202 I think when I did a fluid change, but I can check when I get home.

202 is listed for 2006+ Audi cars, which the B7 is. I don’t think you’d find 7.1 in the car, but changing all the fluid isn’t a bad idea, especially on an older car like ours.


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[esandes]

Power steering fluid is unfortunately not shown as an item in our scheduled maintenance. It should be flushed and replaced with OEM spec fluid every 2-3 years or so.

[Spetznaaz]

Thanks for the replies. I think i'll go for 202 or if not 11S as they seem to me miscible. I'm still pretty anxious about it though. I find it so odd how it says mineral oil only but apparently came from the factory with synthetic. A lot of people seem to have asked this question but there is never a decent answer. The best i have got and i'm not sure how true this is, is that the Pentosin 202 and 11s are somehow mineral AND synthetic.. Not sure how that works.

If i was flushing it i wouldn't be so worried but long story short i can't really do that at the moment. What i'm going to do is top it up, drive for a bit then keep pumping some out and driving until it goes green. I just hope there's no leak, it's probably never been changed though.

[EvolutionArmory]

Why not just use OEM fluid? Take all doubt out of it.

[Spetznaaz]

Why not just use OEM fluid? Take all doubt out of it.

Well the OEM fluid is Pentosin 202, that's what they would give me if i went to Audi.

G002000 was originally Pentosin CHF7.1 (mineral). Then apparently since like the 90's it was changed to Pentosin CHF 11S (synthetic) and had the same part number then that part number was superseded by G004000 M2 which is Pentosin CHF 202 (again, synthetic).

So yeah Audi would say Pentosin CHF202 is the one i should be using and that's what they would give me if i gave them the number G002000 however what i really still don't get is why it says on the cap of my PS reservoir "Mineral Fluid Only" when it didn't even come from the factory with mineral (from what i understand). Boggles my Mind.

Anyway, i've ordered some Pentosin CHF202 which should be here Wednesday. Sucks i can't drive the car until then though.

[Theiceman]

Did you check your owner's manual ?.

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[Spetznaaz]

Did you check your owner's manual ?.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

Yeah, sadly it's useless, not one mention about the PS fluid.

[beefski]

The old mineral oil based fluid is available on ebay from canada. CHF 7.1

[Theiceman]

The old mineral oil based fluid is available on ebay from canada. CHF 7.1

i used to use that in my old Audi 90 , im shocked it has not been updated for the B7 series , that think was from 1993.

[Jay-Bee]

Why not just use OEM fluid? Take all doubt out of it.

WTF is OEM fluid if not Pentosin then?

[Charles.waite]

You're really overthinking this. A4s have used 202 and 11s since the b5 days. I would get the fluid that is specced for the car by its manufacturer and not rely on some warning on the cap that, particularly if you don't know if that warning even pertains to fluids made in the past 20 years...

[EvolutionArmory]

WTF is OEM fluid if not Pentosin then?

Yes, but which one is compatible? If you go to the dealer and buy fluid, it’s the right one. Takes all doubt out of it.


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[Spetznaaz]

You're really overthinking this. A4s have used 202 and 11s since the b5 days. I would get the fluid that is specced for the car by its manufacturer and not rely on some warning on the cap that, particularly if you don't know if that warning even pertains to fluids made in the past 20 years...

Yeah i'm going to go for the CHF202 as that's what i'd get if i went to the dealer. Should be arriving tomorrow.. i really hope so as i haven't been able to drive the car since i found the fluid below min. I ordered 2 liters so hopefully that is enough to top it up and empty it a few times.

I still think it's really weird, i mean the car is only 12 years old and mineral hasn't been used in what.. 20.. 30.. years.

[aluthman]

Well the OEM fluid is Pentosin 202, that's what they would give me if i went to Audi.

G002000 was originally Pentosin CHF7.1 (mineral). Then apparently since like the 90's it was changed to Pentosin CHF 11S (synthetic) and had the same part number then that part number was superseded by G004000 M2 which is Pentosin CHF 202 (again, synthetic).

So yeah Audi would say Pentosin CHF202 is the one i should be using and that's what they would give me if i gave them the number G002000 however what i really still don't get is why it says on the cap of my PS reservoir "Mineral Fluid Only" when it didn't even come from the factory with mineral (from what i understand). Boggles my Mind.

Anyway, i've ordered some Pentosin CHF202 which should be here Wednesday. Sucks i can't drive the car until then though.

That warning is probably more so to prevent people from dumping standard PS fluid in there, which is NOT compatible with mineral oil or pentosin chf 11s/202.

[vvenom800tt]

I just buy the Euro formula they carry st AutoZone. Small yellow bottle.

As long as its a mineral fluid then youre fine. (Green in color)

Don't use ATF or standard PS fluid.

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[Spetznaaz]

Right so i've just filled up with Pentosin 202 3 times and sucked out twice (very black).

I don't know if it's just because i'm noticing it more but i can hear the power steering pump whining. It's loudest when i pull out from my parking space and quiet but just noticeable other times.

Pump going bad?

[Charles.waite]

Dis you follow the bleeding procedure? It’s very specific about not turning the wheel until the pump has been able to circulate the fluid through.

[Spetznaaz]

Dis you follow the bleeding procedure? It’s very specific about not turning the wheel until the pump has been able to circulate the fluid through.

I didn't bleed it as the fluid in there was still enough to prevent air getting in. I topped it up, turn the engine on and sat for a minute then went for a drive, sucked a bit of fluid out, topped up again and repeated a couple times.

I've also noticed some liquid under the alternator / power steering pump / engine.

20190529_154607.jpg

It might be where i spilt some when topping up, i should have checked before really.

Edit - Also i noticed the tensioner for the alternator / ps pump etc is vibrating about when i engine is on.. not sure if this could have anything to do with it.

Made a video of it, can't embed for some reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTitdT4KFfE

Apologies for the vertical video, i filmed it horizontally.

[esandes]

Yes the only reason a power steering pump whines and it gets physically harder to turn the steering wheel is solely based on shitty old power steering fluid. Flush and replace before your pump craps out.

[Spetznaaz]

Yes the only reason a power steering pump whines and it gets physically harder to turn the steering wheel is solely based on shitty old power steering fluid. Flush and replace before your pump craps out.

I'm going to try and take it to a place where i can rent a lift in the next few days and flush it properly. The noise isn't too bad but it definitely whines quietly.

Also managed to splash some hydraulic fluid in my mouth and eye, just got out of a+e, i'll live but it was worrying. Nasty stuff this fluid.

[esandes]

Oh shit. Flush the eye out good.

My previous car had that power steering whine and I ignored it. The steering action got worse and worse (stiffer) until I had arms like a bodybuilder from it (jk).

It got to the point where I needed a new pump. I walked away from that car as the pump replacement was quoted at around $2000. I bought the car used for $1500 to give you an idea of the state of the car.

So now I pay something like $200 to flush it. I actually heard my audi PS pump whine once before and I immediately had it flushed. Sound went away.

[infieldg]

Oh shit. Flush the eye out good.

My previous car had that power steering whine and I ignored it. The steering action got worse and worse (stiffer) until I had arms like a bodybuilder from it (jk).

It got to the point where I needed a new pump. I walked away from that car as the pump replacement was quoted at around $2000. I bought the car used for $1500 to give you an idea of the state of the car.

So now I pay something like $200 to flush it. I actually heard my audi PS pump whine once before and I immediately had it flushed. Sound went away.

I just flushed my 2008 B7 RS4 power steering with Pentrite premium MINERAL oil tonight cos it got a bit low and the cap scared me into using Mineral and flushing whatever was in there out (I don't know if that oil choice was the right one, but it's just Dexron II like we grew up with so hopefully harmless).

To my astonishment I had the same dramatic improvement in steering feel as the guys who went full synthetic, it's WAY lighter AND it got rid of a slight whine (as someone posted in this thread - nailed it).

It gets better - it immediately eliminated the really loud SCREECH it used to make when it touched full lock and the relief valve - which should instantly dump overpressure I guess? - only half opened or something.

Assuming it was an expensive problem I'd stuck my head in the sand and avoided hitting full lock as much as possible, but still managed to hear it squeal every couple of weeks, and it was gone before one of the "suck old oil out with the cheap handheld vacuum brake bleeder (perfect tool!) - top up - start engine - move forward and backward steering lock to lock" cycles where I accidentally touched full lock. Silent, not a peep, no rev dropping and struggling (and one day exploding a flexy hose probably).

Finished the job, went for a drive and it's staggeringly improved. Boy did I underestimate the value of flushing it! Easiest job I've ever done on an Audi, and one of the few that doesn't require engine removal 😅