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Are you shining a light on the reservoir for the Amsoil to appear so pink ???
Yes sir. Without a light on the reservoir it is not possible to see the true color of the fluid (even brand new Amsoil inside the reservoir appears much darker than it actually is). If the reservoir is stained/ burnt from overheated fluid then a light doesn't help obviously...
Last edited by nuclearn8; Jun 4, 2020 at 05:59 AM.
IMO: You could just use a floor jack in that front center area under skid plate. You aren't under the vehicle but still be careful around the lifted vehicle. I realize this is not an entirely safe scenario.
1st off good on you for checking this often neglected fluid, that looks like it needs a freshen up for sure.
You'd need to turn on the vehicle on to turn the wheels on the ground... is it possible?sure. It'll be much easier and less pressure in the system with the front wheels off the ground however. You could always just do extract and fills of the fluid with the vehicle off. One a day for a week (with a short drive in between) will get you 50% new fluid without the need for Jacks or lifting the front end off the ground. This is a super easy way to keep it the PS fluid fresh at minimal expense. The Amazon extractor I linked above works like a charm and with the amsoil easy pack ya dont need a funnel. Super easy. Good luck!
Doing my services on the 2019 GX and was going to do a suck and refill on the P/S Fluid in the reservoir. I was expecting to see a reddish ATF colored fluid, but to my surprise the fluid was brownish in color. My 2016 definitely has ATF for the system, but the 2019 appears to have a dedicated P/S fluid vs ATF.
It doesn't take long for red ATF to turn brown... the color doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be changed.
Generally the odor or consistency of a fluid or the baking of the fluid on the sidewalls of the PS reservoir, in this case, is a clear cut indication it needs changed otherwise changing it at the owners manual frequency, or more frequently, is advisable.
The PS system operates at high pressure and with surprisingly little cooling (just that little solid tube routed in front of the radiator which loops down on each side by the frame rails.
I know this is a old thread, but I didn’t want to clutter. How much are you guys paying for power steering, and coolant flushes at the dealer? I got the following quote from Prestige Lexus. I’m not sure if it’s my cheap soul but this seems a bit high.
“The coolant flush is a complete flush of the entire coolant system. It also uses an additive to clean out any kind of corrosion that may be in the system it would be around $383 and the power steering flush would be around $277. I can give you a loaner car for those service’s”
There has to be a way to disconnect the return line, jack up the front and turn the steering wheel side to side to push the old fluid out. I don't have the GX with me to check but that's how I have done it in the past on all my trucks.
Exactly the right method ... flushes out the old fluid while replenishing with new fluid ... avoids the introduction of air into the system. Just need a helper to turn the steering wheel while watching the fluid level. Amazing how much fluid is pumped out with a little steering wheel movement. Takes about 2-3 Quarts for the purged fluid to be 90% clean ... depends on the age of the fliud being replaced.
