RE: Correct fluids (commonly available?)

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Matt wrote:

	>I've got some kind of slow leak in the power steering system in
my '85 5ks,
	>and I need to add some fluid, Haynes says to use "VW/'Audi
hydraulic oil
	>part No AOE 041 020 10 or ARAL hydraulic oil 1010".  I went to
the local
	>auto store, and found nothing that had either of these numbers
on it, is it
	>okay to use the more generic power steering fluids, or do I
need to go to
	>the dealership to get the right stuff?

Haynes manual for 5Ks is based on the manual for European 100, which was
first published around 1983 and the p/n listed there seems to be
outdated. The correct fluid is G 002 000, available from the dealer. You
can substitute with any fluid saying "Pentosin 7.1" on the bottle. Do
not use any universal power steering fluids nor ATF - they will ruin the
seals in the system.

	>Also, I noticed some other types of power steering fluid that
are supposedly
	>"leak-stop" products.  I'm wary of putting foreign substances
into my car,
	>but I've known people to have success with similar producs in
the cooling
	>system.  Does anyone have experience using these products to
stop leaks in
	>the power steering system?  Thanks in advance for any advice!

Power steering "stop leak" products work on different principle than
cooling system stop leak additives. Coolant additives physically clog
small cracks in radiator. Power steering stop leak additives (just like
engine and transmission "stop-leaks") are supposed to restore hardened
seals to their original shape and condition. There are little chances
that they'll work, while there's high risk of damaging something in the
process. Unfortunately, they only way to stop leaks in the Audi's
hydraulic system is to rebuild or replace leaking components.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)