Hi All:

I have a 2003 S-type with the 3L motor. I recently started hearing a squeak in the power steering. I thought I might be low on fluid but when I opened the resevoir cap noted the power steering fluid was pink and frothy. Fearing that water may have contaminated it, I decided to do a fluid flush. I have a shop manual for the car and it called for Dextron III (which I felt was strange as that is a Chevy fluid) but following the instructions flushed the system with 4 quarts of Dextron III and refilled to normal levels. The squeak went away and fluid looked good. I test drove it for a morning and all seemed fine. The next day the squeak came back and fluid was all frothy again. My questions are:
1. Is Dextron III the right type of power steering fluid.
2. What might be causing it to go pink and frothy other than being contaminated.
3. I would think it needs flushing again correct? And if so, should I use more than 4 quarts or is there another cleaning addative or chemical I should add or use?
4. Other ideas.

As always thanks all for any advice.

Majog.

 

How many kilometres/miles are on the vehicle?

When the fluid appeared 'frothy', was the level correct?

 

It has about 102,000 miles on it and yes the fluid level was correct both before and after the flush.

 

Dexron III is used by many cars and is right.

 

Hi Majog,
while I used Castrol power steering fluid for my S-Type, I used Dex III for the power steering in my 1998 X308 (XJ8).
Dex III was recommended for the X308, and I have lots of "multi vehicle" ATF (transmission fluid), and no use for it, as this just cannot be used for the transmission of the S-Type contrary to the claims of the ATF supplier (it's lifeguard 6 for the ZF 6hp26). The wrong multi vehicle ATF also claims to be good as Dex III, and as the fluid in the power steering should not be as critical as in the transmission, I use it for the power steering of X308, and I think, it should also be good for the S-Type.

I do not think that your "frothy" issue has anything to do with the fluid used. Bubbles in the fluid indicate another problem - something like: A leak in a hose, a failing power steering pump, or - less likely, as you just swapped the fluid - water in the fluid. The squeaky noise might be caused by the bubbles, thus, if you find out, what causes those bubbles, the squeaky issue might be solved as well.

And maybe my DIY guide for the power steering fluid change on the X308 helps as well - you just have to "translate" it into "S-Type"...:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...change-265754/

 

Thanks all!

 

Another thing to check - is the noise coming from the hydraulic side or the drive belts?

 

You have a small leak and its sucking air. So look on the low pressure lines. The pink you see is just the red fluid appearing to be pink because you’ve got all these microscopic bubbles that are somewhat white, white and red makes pink.