Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: Bpeterson on October 19, 2023, 12:04:14 PM

Title: power steering fluid
Post by: Bpeterson on October 19, 2023, 12:04:14 PM
Hi All, I have a 1972 El Dorado Cadillac. The power steering fluid has a hot mark and a cold mark to check fluid level.  If I fill to cold mark when cold and then the  engine heats up it only goes to 1/2 on hot mark.  Which one should I rely on?

Also, I believe it takes transmission fluid for the power steering fluid...is that correct?

Also, anybody know where to get a replacement for the little cap on the cruise control lever?

Thanks!!
Title: Re: power steering fluid
Post by: Moody on October 19, 2023, 07:14:47 PM
Halfway up is fine on the dipstick. Yes, trans fluid will work.
Title: Re: power steering fluid
Post by: Seville Life on October 20, 2023, 01:41:39 AM
Really you want the fluid hot and on the 'hot' mark while using the car.

Yes you do top-up with Dexron transmission fluid.

HOWEVER - if the system has lost a lot of fluid or had parts changed you use power steering fluid, different from Dexron automatic transmission fluid. AC Delco make it, easy to buy in the States.
Title: Re: power steering fluid
Post by: TJ Hopland on October 20, 2023, 11:09:02 AM
How hot is hot?  And what, where, and how are you measuring this hot?  If you were to have it at the hot line when the fluid was maybe just warm what happens when it really gets hot?

Seems like cold on the cold line would be a safer way to do things. Cold just means ambient so even if that is 0-100F or -17-37c that doesn't represent much expansion in the fluid compared to how much expansion you could get at what 250f/121c?
Title: Re: power steering fluid
Post by: Seville Life on October 27, 2023, 01:36:07 AM
That is a good point. My '78 Seville owner's manual talks about touching the transmission dip-stick to judge how hot it is? Your fingers might be tougher than mine? Always seemed like an odd way to test.