Has the bloke in Halfords got it wrong??

So I needed some fluid to fill up my power steering since i removed the pipe work when stripping the chassis down so i popped into halfords and got some 'Power steering fluid' as the bloke in there told me i did not want Automatic transmission fluid as my landy is considered old.
So i got home and cracked the lid off and it was a colourless/yellow colour - i was expecting red anyway I thought whats the worst that could happen so i pored it in. I set to work bleeding it and when the new stuff mixed with the residual 'old' stuff it started going all bubbly. After part way through bleeding it, it started getting really bubbly so I've stopped.

The new stuff and the existing red fluid doesnt seem to be compatible. Will i have knackered my seals? And do i now need to flush it out well and then fill it up with ATF?

Cheers

The white bubbly stuff is just air in the fluid which scared me at first when I was doing mine. Just put some more fluid in and bleed. In my opinion, I would have drained all the old stuff first

The bloke in halfords is a useless dick. If I were you I'd drain the system, flush and refill with the correct ATF to specification Dexron 2 as is supposed to be in it

should be ATF, PSF wont damage owt, but might make the pump a bit noisier cos its a touch thinner.

the_wolf said:

The bloke in halfords is a useless dick. If I were you I'd drain the system, flush and refill with the correct ATF to specification Dexron 2 as is supposed to be in it

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I wouldn't let those muppets kick my tyres. I was in a rush and could not be arsed to look so asked the store assistant for screen wash only to be given a pot of antifreeze. When I pulled the bloke (boy) he said its all the same stuff. Needless to say they never got any of my money. I wonder how many peeps believe that crap? I'd rather he said he "didn't know" or "sorry about that" than come out with that crap.

I cringe whenever I see them 'fitting' bulbs or wiper blades to peoples cars

Aha exactly my thought, useless ****er! Waste of £12 then, they'll be getting a letter of complaint! Shall i say it ruined my steering box and pump and I require immediate compensation? .
So I need Dexron 2 ATF?

I knew what the bubbles were, just it seemed like a chemical reaction was occurring and anything causing effervescence in a practically closed system can't be ideal!

Thanks for the replies

Jaspermowatt said:

Aha exactly my thought, useless ****er! Waste of £12 then, they'll be getting a letter of complaint! Shall i say it ruined my steering box and pump and I require immediate compensation? .
So I need Dexron 2 ATF?

I knew what the bubbles were, just it seemed like a chemical reaction was occurring and anything causing effervescence in a practically closed system can't be ideal!

Thanks for the replies

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no you need to do the decent thing and speak to store explaining they recommended wong fluid.

Yep, take it back to Halfrauds and talk to them.....probably give you a refund there and then

Yeah, sadly halfords staff - especially the young ones - arent on much more than minimum wage. If they were trained mechanics they wouldnt be working there!

You've just got to exercise caution with any advice- sometimes it is good, sometimes very wrong. No different to asking opinion down the pub. When I worked there, the only training I got was how to use the till.

Great tools, huge convenience& opening times, easy returns policy, trade discounts.

My favourite memory is someone being offered the blade changing service on their wipers, baulking at the £4 charge and then coming back in after 5 minutes of trying to do it themselves and in the process smashing their windscreen as the bladeless arm sprung back onto the screen. Some of the customers make the sales staff look really really intelligent!

wirral_series2a said:

Yep, take it back to Halfrauds and talk to them.....probably give you a refund there and then

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Will they flush his sytem and put the proper stuff in though? And then garentee no damage is done? Problem is people put too much trust into what the spotty teen at halfords says and imagine its good advice when(shiftys is a good example) its the worst advice.

why dont people use real motor factors

jamesmartin said:

why dont people use real motor factors

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because they like retail factors

fanatic said:

because they like retail factors

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there you go then

I used them purely out of convenience, I was driving past and figured they'd do. They are still getting a letter!

Their bike departments are just as crap, mate was told his rear cog set was shagged as some teeth were a different shape......idiots
He only asked them as he had just bought an as new road bike off someone.
He asked me before shelling out good money, when I checked the set they were perfect and designed that way to allow slick fast gear changes, cog set was just about brand new!
As for automotive advice? forget it, thoygh am sure there must be some good Halfords assistants somewhere??

jamesmartin said:

why dont people use real motor factors

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+1

jamesmartin said:

why dont people use real motor factors

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Because if you arent in the trade you probably wont know where they are and I guess to some people they are intimidating places, lets be honest most of them are **** holes!

Ive always used std atf dextron 2 in my lt77 gearbox, same as pas atf ando old fashioned auto trans oil

Plus Halfords is open late and on Sundays which most motor factors aren't.

I avoid using Halfords for any parts/oils. Only buy tools and car cleaning stuff from them. Oh and they are ok for wipers if a bit pricey!

lynall said:

Because if you arent in the trade you probably wont know where they are and I guess to some people they are intimidating places, lets be honest most of them are **** holes!

Ive always used std atf dextron 2 in my lt77 gearbox, same as pas atf ando old fashioned auto trans oil

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I'm not in the trade and I only use a proper motor factors where possible. Not that I rely on their expertise, I just prefer to give my money to independent retailers who deserve it as opposed to some huge chain that's staffed by total muppets. The local place I go to near my work has always been top notch and I can get limited parts from them same day if need be too. Ask halfords for an oil filter and the kids bottom lip starts quivering in fear. Useless twunts