Humble Pie and Power Steering Fluid- Straw Trick

I'm posting this brain fart moment so hopefully someone else learns from my mistake...all in good fun. Humble pie MMMmmmmmm....

Short story: Haste makes waste.

Long story: The weather has been single digits here in PA. A few days ago I popped my hood to check the fluids and I noticed that the power steering fluid was low. Fluid level was on "cold low" when it should have been in the "hot" section. I thought perhaps the fluid looked low because of the temperature, so I waited until I drove the truck for 20 minutes at 50mph (as per the manual to be considered "hot") and checked again. Yep, still low. Can't hear the power steering pump whine, everything else checks out. Must be a leak somewhere but nothing visible on the truck or driveway so I'll just top it off and monitor the problem.

So I get home from work an hour early and I already have a list of things to do around the house. I usually like to take my time, but not this day. Git. 'Er. Done. First order of business, get that power steering fluid topped off. 5 minute job and the easiest task on the list. Here's where we go downhill...

Grab the quart of fluid (Dexron III as per manual), don't grab a funnel, don't grab a paper towel, don't grab gloves, don't grab my brain...check.

Start topping off the power steering fluid and I pour a tiny bit of fluid down the side of the reservoir. No big deal. Grab a paper towel. Cut off the bottom of a handy water bottle to create a makeshift funnel. Damn that's smart. Smooth sailing? Nope.

I use the water bottle funnel and overfill the power steering reservoir. So much for a 5 minute job. I remember reading a thread on TW where someone used a turkey baster to change the power steering fluid. However, I didn't want to explain to the wife why we no longer have a turkey baster (but who needs one in January anyway? She doesn't know what ATF smells like). Nevertheless, I came up with this strategy...

Ever see a kid in a restaurant play with the straw in their drink? They put the straw into their drink and hold their finger on the top of the straw. Pull the straw out and the straw holds the liquid.

Well, it worked! Fluid level is normal. Next time, don't rush.

"It is said that only a fool learns from his own mistakes, a wise man from the mistakes of others."

Happy Friday TW! Hope that made you laugh!

 

Dang man I thought I was the only one to "work ass-backwards." That is -fix it- break it- engage brain-fix it again, -really, this time. Thanx for the laugh at life.

 

who is drawing straws?

 

I did this with my coolant not to long ago when i overfilled it a tad. Worked like a charm

 

I've done it with brake fluid after bleeding brakes. Hey, it works.

 

Sounds like a few more uses for the straw trick.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

 

I learned from this thread. I changed mine today and let me tell you, it was badly needed at 96,000. I doubt that it had ever been changed. The new was clear as rose colored glass, the old was nearly opaque.

 

I’ve done that before I spoiled myself and bought a pneumatic fluid evacuator.

 

Is that Swedish?

Just joking sorry. Yea baby.

Tried the straw it works.
Also have just used an absorbent towel to wick fluid out from overfull. Bought a transfer pump manual one but it’s paid for itself.
Diffs and tranny kinda had to have one anyway.