maneeshs

Hi everyone:

I have a 92 lexus ES300 with 152,000 miles on it. I know my power steering is in trouble and I think it has gotten worse due to my stupidity. Here is a recap.

1.) About two months ago, I checked the power steering fluid level. It was low. When the engine is cold, it was at the level of where the black plastic and the yellow plastic meet. The minute I noticed this, I thought to myself all I need to do is put in power steering fluid.

2.) About three weeks later, I finally get to walmart. The manual states to put in DEXRON II ATF. Sure enough walmart does not have it. The lady says all power steering fluids are the same, don't worry about. I bought Prestone "Power Steering Fluid". I did NOT put it in though, because I did not trust her.

3.) I've been searching for DEXRON II for weeks and haven't found it. I ignored the problem for a few more weeks. All I can find is DEXRON III.

4.) This week the power steering starts moaning more and I begin to hear clicking from under the hood. I think to myself, I am probably just being paranoid and ignore it.

5.) I drove about 50 miles straight the moan gets louder. I get to my destination and pop the hood with the engine on. The hose that connects to the power steering pump is vibrating quite a bit. Even worse, near the end of the hose I see a little smoke (barely visible).

Now I am scared. How much damage do you think my neglect has done? Does the vibrating and small amounts of smoke mean I ruined my power steering pump? If so, how much do those cost for a 92? Can I use a Camry one? And finally, can I use DEXRON III ATF or the Preston "Power Steering Fluid" I already bought so I can safely get to the airport tomorrow? Please give me some advice. I am afraid if I talk to a mechanic, and tell them I saw smoke they will try to rip me off.

Thanks,

Maneesh

CUMan

Dexron III is backward compatible with Dexron II. Dexron II is apparently no longer being produced.

Do not use the Prestone fluid!

Fill with the Dexron to the proper mark on the dip stick. If the power steering makes a whining noise, bleed the system by turning the steering wheel back and forth a few times.

carcass66

You can certainly use DexronIII ATF. Just put the fluid and turn the wheel back and forth to check if there's any leak. I drove my car with no power streering fluid(pressure hose leaked) for a day and nothing bad happened to the pump.