PS fluid instead of ATF

Previous owner put PS fluid instead of Dex II AT fluid in steering reservoir. Should I drain it and put ATF in or not worry about. There is one hose with small leak, maybe from wrong fluid. 97 Taco

 

Yes and purge your system. It will eat it up seals and such and make it leak.
Don't ask me how I know. If it calls for atf use it.

 

The damage has already been done... I've done this same thing... You'll never be able to purge it all. How long has it been running with the PS fluid? He may of had everything replaced and ran the PS fluid in since the beginning, changing now will severely screw shit up.

 

I just bought my Taco, so I'm not familiar with that.

But the older mercedes diesels specified only ATF in their power steering units and they specifically warned against using PSF, due to its adverse consequences.

 

Thanks for the info. This truck was a basket case anyway, but for $1500 I had to save it.

 

If you do decide to get the PS fluid out of your system, take out what you can from the reservoir (I use a turkey baster to get the old fluid out) fill with ATF, and then drive it for a day or more to mix in the new ATF. Repeat the process about 5 times and you'll be left with over 90% ATF in the system. Then you should be ok.

 

Thats what I'll probably do with my hand vaccum pump.
Thanks