Does power steering fluid ever go bad?

I have literally a tin that's silver and blue full ad never opened with ps fluid and I was wondering if its still good to use. Because I'm low in the money department at the moment and I need to top of the ps fluid

Unopened just use it. Opened, most manufacturers say 2-3 years depending on storage.

Alright I'll give it a try! Hopefully I don't screw up my ps pump. I trust your knowledge its just the fact that its in a tin so it might be more than 10 years old!

Originally Posted by Tee95E38

Alright I'll give it a try! Hopefully I don't screw up my ps pump. I trust your knowledge its just the fact that its in a tin so it might be more than 10 years old!

If in doubt buy new its cheap enough. Good luck
cheers
vern

If the tin is rusted on the inside I wouldn't use it. If in doubt, buy more. If no choice but to use it, then, there you go!

Alright and would it help if I poured it in the recently emptied bottle to see if I can see any rust in the fluid itself if possible?

Won't hurt! You could pour it through a filter if really concerned and see what is left.

Originally Posted by rdorman

Unopened just use it. Opened, most manufacturers say 2-3 years depending on storage.

I disagree. People with 15 year old cars drive with their original power steering fluid. It is closer to lifetime than coolant.

I change power steering fluid because I think dirt builds up. Since it recirculates, I just suck up what's in the reservoir and replace it with new fluid. I then do that every 1-2 days until the sucked up fluid is just as clear as new fluid, which may take 4-5 times.

On the other hand, fluid is not too expensive. If 10-12 years old and not rusty, I'd use it. 15-17 years, I wouldn't.

Does BMW use Pentosin CHF11S? If so, was that even made 10 years ago? I thought it was made about 10 years ago until now and is being replaced with another Pentosin type.

Disagree with the 2-3 year once open thing? I tend to agree with you. That recomendation is from people like valvoline and castrol.

Me, I'd open it, look at it and if looks/smelled fine, use it. I once used melted snow and urine in a radiator to limp a car home. Then there was the time I used rope for a fan belt, tore a phone booth apart to fix a broken tie rod... you get the idea. When broke and stuck I came up with all kinds of ways to limp it home until I could work on it and get what I need. Now I call AAA.

When I give recommendations to others, I tend to go by the book which is why I told the OP 2-3 years after opening.

Kind of interesting. I just left and O-Reilly's autoparts store. If the OP has Pentosin, both the atf/ps and brake fluid was all in tins. Never really looked. So, it may not be as old as they think.

That's exactly what's sittin it my grunt right now! I opened it and it smells kinda weird like petroleum as oil and I don't even know. And it's green but yeah that's the stuff! I'm thinkin it's alright to use! But if I were to mix it with whatever is in the pump now not knowing what kind or what it's mad of will it cause any harm?

What is the big deal? Do you want us to take up a collection for you for the $'s it will cost for a can of new fluid so you'll stay out of possible trouble using the old stuff
cheers
vern

Originally Posted by Tee95E38

That's exactly what's sittin it my grunt right now! I opened it and it smells kinda weird like petroleum as oil and I don't even know. And it's green but yeah that's the stuff! I'm thinkin it's alright to use! But if I were to mix it with whatever is in the pump now not knowing what kind or what it's mad of will it cause any harm?

No problem mixing. The spec back then from Pentosin was the CHF 11 S which CHF 202 is fully compatiable.

Originally Posted by vern

What is the big deal? Do you want us to take up a collection for you for the $'s it will cost for a can of new fluid so you'll stay out of possible trouble using the old stuff
cheers
vern

CHF 202 is top drawer Synthetic PS fluid that often runs $20 a tin. Why should the OP throw away $20?

Originally Posted by rdorman

CHF 202 is top drawer Synthetic PS fluid that often runs $20 a tin. Why should the OP throw away $20?

IMHO if you can't afford "$20.00" you shouldn't be driving a BMW.
PS I was told by one of my peers many many years ago, if you can't afford $20.00 your not living ,your exsisting. How true.
cheers
vern

Originally Posted by vern

IMHO if you can't afford "$20.00" you shouldn't be driving a BMW.
PS I was told by one of my peers many many years ago, if you can't afford $20.00 your not living ,your exsisting. How true.
cheers
vern

I don't disagree with that one bit! But, I still would not take a $20 bill and throw it in the trash!

Yeah I wouldn't waste 20 either. I'm 17 so that's why I keep stressing it but I'm not worried about it anymore. And as for me not havin the 20 for new ps fluid, times are tough... My moms a realtor and the market really sucks. I just got a job though so ill start havin money to fix up my car and stuff!

Originally Posted by Tee95E38

Yeah I wouldn't waste 20 either. I'm 17 so that's why I keep stressing it but I'm not worried about it anymore. And as for me not havin the 20 for new ps fluid, times are tough... My moms a realtor and the market really sucks. I just got a job though so ill start havin money to fix up my car and stuff!

Glad to help! I have a 18 and 21 year old myself so I understand. Good luck with the job. The feeling of having your own money is terrific! We have a good aquaintence that is a very succesful Realtor and Broker. Before the housing market bottomed, they broke ground on what is basically a Mansion. The bottom of the market fell out and construction grinded to a crawl. Hope things pick up for your Mother soon.

Thank you!