Power Steering Fluid Jumping Around in Reservoir

EazyD · 07-10-2012, 12:49 PM

Hi all, noticing something I thought was weird with my power steering fluid in the reservoir. Please read and watch below; I could use whatever help you can offer. Thanks!

Observations:

Fluid moves around inside the reservoir
I don't see actual bubbles, but the surface jumps around like there is.
On a cold start, fluid is just stationary
After driving to work, it is shaking around
When you shut the car off, the fluid stops moving.
Reservoir is very hot where the fluid is.
Correct amount of fluid is in there
It's stock fluid
The video below is after an autocross run (61 seconds of hard turning), but like I mentioned above, it also does this after a casual commute to work.

I could use suggestions, probable causes, confirmation that it's not just me, and any other comments about this. It's freaking me out.

fuzzywuzzy · 07-10-2012, 01:03 PM

This video is unavailable

EazyD · 07-10-2012, 01:05 PM

The video is still being processed, according to YouTube. I'll comment again when it's up. Sorry!

MarkGideon · 07-10-2012, 01:11 PM

Still cannot see the vid, but the fluid in mine moves around quite a bit. I believe it is pretty normal, it is just the fluid being pumped through the system. Once your vid is up and ready though, we will see if you have something extra going on.

DR_ · 07-10-2012, 01:12 PM

Normal

EazyD · 07-10-2012, 03:30 PM

Video works now --

kenchan · 07-10-2012, 03:56 PM

i dont think mine vibrates like that...

MarkGideon · 07-10-2012, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EazyD

Video works now --

Yep, that looks like mine. I have only been under the hood a few times with it running, since I have only had it a couple weeks, but have noticed the PS fluid doing that. I have a 2012 Altima SL that does the same thing.

kenchan · 07-10-2012, 04:43 PM

i need to look next time i do an oil change... (next year)

wind.zero · 07-10-2012, 05:27 PM

I was checking my Rotrex traction fluid level yesterday and mine (meaning the PS reservoir) did the exact same thing.

semtex · 07-10-2012, 05:28 PM

PS fluid gets hot after use. That's why the Z has a built-in PS fluid cooler.

SPOHN · 07-10-2012, 06:02 PM

Normal

martin82 · 07-10-2012, 06:06 PM

normal, and if you track hard, that fluid will come out, that's why you see a lot of track people with a rag over the PS reservoir zip tied, to catch the fluid....

EazyD · 07-10-2012, 08:05 PM

Thanks everybody (except the usual trustworthy Mr. kenchan who made me even more scared)

Do most cars have a built-in PS cooler? I saw a Stillen PS cooler product, but thought it was instead of not cooled.

SPOHN · 07-10-2012, 08:12 PM

Most cars do. The Stillen is a better upgraded version

07-10-2012, 12:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	Power Steering Fluid Jumping Around in Reservoir Hi all, noticing something I thought was weird with my power steering fluid in the reservoir. Please read and watch below; I could use whatever help you can offer. Thanks! Observations: Fluid moves around inside the reservoir I don't see actual bubbles, but the surface jumps around like there is. On a cold start, fluid is just stationary After driving to work, it is shaking around When you shut the car off, the fluid stops moving. Reservoir is very hot where the fluid is. Correct amount of fluid is in there It's stock fluid The video below is after an autocross run (61 seconds of hard turning), but like I mentioned above, it also does this after a casual commute to work. I could use suggestions, probable causes, confirmation that it's not just me, and any other comments about this. It's freaking me out. __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob. Last edited by EazyD; 07-10-2012 at 03:30 PM.

07-10-2012, 01:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	The video is still being processed, according to YouTube. I'll comment again when it's up. Sorry! __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

07-10-2012, 01:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarkGideon Base Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA, SC Posts: 213 Drives: 2012 370Z Base Rep Power: 13	Still cannot see the vid, but the fluid in mine moves around quite a bit. I believe it is pretty normal, it is just the fluid being pumped through the system. Once your vid is up and ready though, we will see if you have something extra going on. __________________ 2012 370Z Base Gun Metallic--2015 Altima 2.5SV Gun Metallic--2020 Chevy Silverado RST--1965 Chevy C10 Stepside Shortbed

07-10-2012, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	Video works now -- __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

07-10-2012, 05:28 PM	#11 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	PS fluid gets hot after use. That's why the Z has a built-in PS fluid cooler. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

07-10-2012, 01:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
fuzzywuzzy Base Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: In a house Posts: 211 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 15	This video is unavailable

07-10-2012, 01:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
DR_ Track Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 981 Drives: Touring/Sport M6 PG Rep Power: 17	Normal

07-10-2012, 03:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i dont think mine vibrates like that...

07-10-2012, 04:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	i need to look next time i do an oil change... (next year)

07-10-2012, 05:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
wind.zero Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The 49th State Posts: 296 Drives: NISMOSIS Rep Power: 14	I was checking my Rotrex traction fluid level yesterday and mine (meaning the PS reservoir) did the exact same thing.

07-10-2012, 06:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Normal __________________

07-10-2012, 06:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
martin82 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 2,636 Drives: 12 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 20	normal, and if you track hard, that fluid will come out, that's why you see a lot of track people with a rag over the PS reservoir zip tied, to catch the fluid....

07-10-2012, 08:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
EazyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 1,211 Drives: 2010 6MT Sport pkg. Rep Power: 26	Thanks everybody (except the usual trustworthy Mr. kenchan who made me even more scared) Do most cars have a built-in PS cooler? I saw a Stillen PS cooler product, but thought it was instead of not cooled. __________________ Pearl White 2010 370Z Sport, Stillen CBE, tint, K&N drop-in filters, GT-R start button, Kenwood DNX-6980 with backup cam, LED bulbs, Raceseng shift knob.

07-10-2012, 08:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
SPOHN A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Covington, GA Age: 45 Posts: 14,844 Drives: Waiting on next Z Rep Power: 221	Most cars do. The Stillen is a better upgraded version __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Power Steering Fluid Change	dthem370	Nissan 370Z Warranty / Scheduled Maintenance / Servicing / Repairs	22	07-17-2018 07:50 PM
Power steering fluid leak.	Amazingz03	Engine & Drivetrain	11	04-27-2014 03:06 AM
power steering fluid???	lkc81	Engine & Drivetrain	1	10-09-2011 04:17 PM
ATF for power steering fluid?	boosted180	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	3	12-09-2010 02:55 PM
Power steering fluid?	Junior370z	Engine & Drivetrain	5	07-09-2009 11:50 PM