Continental V8-4.6L DOHC (1995)
Power Steering Fluid: Service and Repair
Start-Up Procedure, After Power Steering Pump or Gear Service
After engine start up, follow these steps to eliminate excessive steering system noise due to air trapped in the system during service:
Purging Power Steering System of Air
Note: If the air is not purged from the power steering system correctly, a second customer concern or pump failure could result. This condition can only
occur on pre-delivery vehicles with evidence of aerated fluid or vehicles that have had steering component service.
A whine, shudder or squeak noise heard from the power steering pump may be caused by air in the system.
The following service procedure must be performed whenever any of the following services are performed:
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All power steering noise complaints with evidence of aerated fluid on pre-delivery vehicles only, prior to any component service.
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After any power steering system component (for example, gear, hose) has been replaced and the noise is heard.
Fluid Level Top-Off Procedure
1. Check and fill remote reservoir to center mark.
2. Disable ignition by disconnecting the ignition coils and lift front wheels off floor.
3. Crank engine 30 seconds while observing fluid level in reservoir.
Use Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft Mercon® ATF to maintain fluid level.
4. Crank engine 30 seconds while cycling lock to lock.
Note: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
5. Check fluid level and add Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft Mercon® ATF if required.
6. Start engine and cycle steering wheel three times, stop-to-stop.
7. Turn ignition switch OFF.
8. Check fluid level and adjust as necessary.
Air Purge with Vacuum External Source Procedure
1. Tightly insert the rubber stopper of the air evacuator assembly into pump reservoir.
2. Enable ignition. Start vehicle.
3. Apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) maximum vacuum for minimum of three minutes at idle; maintain maximum vacuum with vacuum source.
4. Release vacuum and remove vacuum source.
5. Add Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft Mercon® ATF to full warm or reservoir center mark.
6. Reinstall vacuum source and apply 68-85 kPa (20-25 in-Hg) vacuum.
7. Cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately five minutes.
Note: Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
8. Shut engine off, release vacuum, remove vacuum source and lower front end.
9. Add Power Steering Fluid Motorcraft Mercon® ATF if necessary. Install reservoir cap.
10. Start engine and cycle steering wheel from lock to lock every 30 seconds for approximately five minutes.
Note:
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Do not hold steering wheel on stops.
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In severe cases it may be necessary to repeat air purge with vacuum source procedure.
11. Check for oil leaks at all connections.
