Power Steering and ACE - KISS

Okay,

Getting through a few jobs and now looking at ACE and PAS. Had a look at www.discovery2.co.uk (great site and I have followed a few of his procedures - when I get a job I plan on making a donation to this benevolent brother!) re the ACE filter change - decided not really worth the hassle changing the metal ACE filter given that tight bolt/nut he mentioned (heard it seizes due to galvanic corrosion and I don't like the sound of that) and the (unlikely) added possibility of getting air in the system! Prefer to just do a "lazy man's" partial fluid change on both PAS and ACE.

Here in Australia Penrite make a PAS fluid that conforms with L/R spec so I was going to buy a litre of it (not cheap!) and use a large syringe to just suck out old fluid from each of the PAS and ACE reservoirs and replenish with the new Penrite PAS fluid - might have to buy another bottle of the stuff, but doing this 2-3 times over a period of a week or so at my leisure while running the car at the same time should make a difference to the overall fluid quality and give me some piece of mind. Any thoughts on just doing it this way - the lazy man's way?

Can't see a problem with that other than you might use a bit more fluid to get to where it's clean than you would if you drained it.obviously if you're not changing the filter you have a risk of blockage or poop getting in the valves at sometime

Yes, probably more worried about the filter being blocked and restricting flow though on balance - I haven't seen much to suggest that flow restriction is an issue however (?) If there is a sudden large pressure spike/surge in the system (ACE) then I would expect there might be a possibility that the filter may release captured solids downstream? I have read the filter is metallic, so there is no risk of filter disintegration over time. Who knows? Don't want to risk replacing ACE filter if it's not a big deal? I worked as a chemical engineer and studied filtration but would never dare to say anything definitively when it came to matters practical!

It is a metallic filter and yes they can be a pia to get out,also the area has to be scrupulously clean so no crud gets in the system.The while thing runs at very high pressure so it's unlikely to surge over what's normal.I think / hope you'll get away with it ok and it'll be fine.Did you say you're doing the same with the p/s? That's probably the easiest way with that so as not to disturb any connections

Yeah, maybe with the ACE and PAS I'll let sleeping dogs lie and just use the lazy man's slow (albeit expensive) "blood transfusion"! If anyone feels strongly otherwise can they please let me know!

Intestinalworm said:

I haven't seen much to suggest that flow restriction is an issue however (?

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It's a very big issue if it's the case, the air in the system is not an issue if the pump was primed cos it will bleed itself after a longer run with much cornering at speed but any restiction in the system caused by even a small amount of impurities can cause trouble, see the repairs section of ACE in RAVE, for each element this is the first paragraph: (which IMO is true)
CAUTION: The ACE hydraulic system is
extremely sensitive to the ingress of dirt or
debris. The smallest amount could render the
system unserviceable. It is imperative that the
following precautions are taken.
- ACE components are thoroughly cleaned
externally before work commences;
- all opened pipe and module ports are
capped immediately;
- all fluid is stored in and administered
through clean containers.

new filter is not compulsory, it's enough the clean the old one with carb cleaner or something and blow it with compressed air

It is fun when you have to clean tons of swarf out of them.

Complete dismantle, all 3 valves, pressure sensor and filter.

Much much easier off the car.

MJI said:

It is fun when you have to clean tons of swarf out of them.

Complete dismantle, all 3 valves, pressure sensor and filter.

Much much easier off the car.

Click to expand...

Swarf?!

Intestinalworm said:

Swarf?!

Click to expand...

the man had his valve block machined to get hydraulic fittings for flexible hoses that's why... not the case for unmodified blocks

sierrafery said:

the man had his valve block machined to get hydraulic fittings for flexible hoses that's why... not the case for unmodified blocks

Click to expand...

Well, that makes sense now.

Syringed c.330mL out of each of the PAS and ACE chambers and refilled with new Penrite PAS fluid (complies with L/R spec). Old fluid a very dirty brown colour and new fluid a nice green - chalk and cheese! Made sure syringe and tube were scrupulously clean just in case! All good - no issues (as you'd expect). Anyway, will do the same thing two more times over the next several weeks and that will use up the 2 x 1L bottles of Penrite PAS (purchased for AUD 27.99 per bottle). Expensive option compared with proper flush-out and renew, but quick and risk-free method that gives me some peace of mind. Not sure what total volume of PAS and ACE systems are, but hoping this process will result in at least 60% new fluid in the system - you can work it out mathematically (draw on my old chem eng theory) if you assume uniform mixing (yes) and you know the total system volumes and amounts extracted and added - prefer to watch mind-numbing tv shows though! Will be taking the accumulated dirty PAS fluid along with dirty transfer box and diff fluids to the council for environmentally responsible disposal - problem with some DIY mechanics is that they just pour toxic chemicals into the stormwater drains and pollute our waterways - not me! Continuing on with my list of Disco 2 Td5 jobs - injector loom now!

Talking about tv, have just been watching the 4th series of "The League Of Gentlemen" (so sad it's only a few episodes) - so well done, rib-ticklingly funny and a real comedic tour de force!

@Intestinalworm

Dirty brown fluid?

Are you sure it was not manky old ATF ?

Cheers

Could be, but would have had to have been added by the French-cuffed Land Rover dealership manager. I haven't changed the ACE or PAS fluid since I bought the Disco 2 new in 2003! The dealership always presented me with an invoice and lots of ticks on the checksheet! What they really checked/replaced, who knows? I never used to take much notice, anyway, doing all but the most major work on my vehicles on my own now - saves money and I enjoy it - Youtube and forums help. Yes, fluid was dirty brown - now looking decidedly green!

I Love this Disco 2 Td5 - lots of quirks, but very loveable! Got several preventative maintenance jobs to carry on with now, but I'm a bit worried about the so called "million dollar oil pump bolt" - do you reckon it could get me after 217,000km in a 2003 Disco 2 Td5? No way of checking via VIN? If not, then I'll leave that job to last as I only have a pair of axle stands.

Did the fourth "suck up" and refill using the Penrite PAS (lovely green colour as opposed to the old dirty brown fluid). Anyway, very noticeable difference now with power steering - no whining or juddering at full-lock! The Penrite PAS fluid says it contains an anti-shudder compound - looks like it does the job!

Does anyone have any thoughts on the "million dollar bolt" (previous post)? Might have to see if I can drop the oil sump when I do my oil change in a few months time?