Problem with Valvoline Synpower PSF and C6 vettes

[NewC6]

I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.

DON'T do it. The Valvoline Synpower PSF caused intermittent loss of power steering. It was most pronounced from a dead stop. Literally felt like I had lost the power steering pump. It was intermittent and other than from a dead stop, there was no consistency as to when the steering would tighten up or be okay. Actually kind of scary not knowing if you are going to have PS or have to use grunt. Drove to the local chevy dealer and got the GM fluid. Got it home, sucked out the Valvoline and replaced it with the GM stuff and even just in the garage, I could tell problem resolved. I have already done one flush with the GM stuff, will drive it around some then do another replacement.
I will say I am VERY surprised at how quickly the PSF becomes dark, the Valvoline was in only one day and was as dark as the 2 1/2 year old factory fluid. Anyone know why it gets dark so fast?

 

[GMorg]

I think that SynPower does meet the "GM spec", but it does not meet the "Corvette spec". Vettes require a power steering fluid that handles fairly high temps. Usually, the GM cold climate formulation is recommended for your application (it is a PAO-based, ester containing synblend). I expect that you can probably also use Pentosin CHf-11s (decene dimer based, synblend) but it is just as expensive at the GM product. Valvoline Synpower appears to be primarily a group I-based product. I am still amazed that they can call it a synblend. The SynPower PSF msds is linked below and lists group I as 84-94% of the total.

http://msds.ashland.com/ShowMSDS.asp?M=0...LUID+12%2F32+OZ

If your SynPower fluid darkened that fast, you may want to consider an AutoRX cleaning. (For those that haven't used SynPower ATF, it starts-out as clear.) On the other hand, it may have darkened quickly because of small amounts of the darkened previous fill being in the system.

 

[unDummy]

MSDS don't state what group an oil is.
Notice that we have various fluids with the same CAS and one is an XHVI.
http://www.shelldubai.com/industrial/msds/shell-base-oils-casno-64742-65-0.pdf

Who knows which Valvoline base oils and group#'s carry the same MSDS CAS# ? It could be any group.

The Valvoline Synpower PSF issue has come up before. I find that it works best as the 'ONLY' fluid. So, even if there is some old fluid left, it might not be happy.

My recommendation is to do another flush or 2 with the Valvoline. A reservoir siphon/refill is barely a partial change. You'd need a dozen or so siphon/refills(3 quarts), with some driving in between, to consider it a good flush. Diminishing returns works against you.

Even a hose disconnect/wheelcrank method doesn't flush out 100%(like so many believe). If that is the method, consider doing it a 2nd time a week later or so to remove any residual old fluid and anything cleaned up by the new fluid.

Another option is to go back to OEM fluid or try another PSF like Redline, RoyalPurple, Pentosin......

Regardless of PSF chosen, regular maintenance should be considered. I simply siphon/refill a pint at every oil change. I've never had PS rack/pump problems. Find a fluid that you think works well and stick with it.

 

[Auto-Union]

It's worked in every car I've used it in.

 

[Turk]

I've got an '03 GMC Sierra and sucked out the GM PS fluid. I put in the Valvoline Synpower and it groans EVERY time I turn it Left from day 1 of putting that junk in !!!

I am currently looking for Royal Purple and cannot find it anywhere - I hear it is the best(?).

Gotta get that dang SINPower outta there....

\

 

[G-MAN]

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I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.

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How did you change the fluid? Did you bleed the system? It sounds to me like you've got air in the system.

 

[Rat407]

I wonder how the Synpower would have been if it was the only fluid in the corvettes system with a full exchange of fresh and not just a mix. I 2nd the use of ARX to clean it up. I used ARX in my 91 Jetta's power steering system and it did a great job. I then went back with just Maxlife PSF and it is doing well and the system has 188k on it.

 

[NewC6]

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I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.

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How did you change the fluid? Did you bleed the system? It sounds to me like you've got air in the system.

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All I did was siphon out the resevoir and put the Synpower in and the problem presented itself immediately. I then siphoned out the mixture and put the specified GM fluid back in and voila, problem solved. So granted I did not have all synpower in there and I don't have pure GM fluid in there now, but the problem is gone. I don't think air in the system is the issue. The evidence seems to prove to me that the Synpower is the problem. Whadya think?

 

[G-MAN]

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I had a gift card to AZ so one of the things I picked up was some Valvoline Synpower power steering fluid. Figured Valvoline was a good name, BITOG recommended it and it stated it met the GM spec for PSF. I hadn't changed the PSF since new and it was VERY dark when I got it out, so I'm thinking, it is a good thing I am changing this fluid.

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How did you change the fluid? Did you bleed the system? It sounds to me like you've got air in the system.

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All I did was siphon out the resevoir and put the Synpower in and the problem presented itself immediately. I then siphoned out the mixture and put the specified GM fluid back in and voila, problem solved. So granted I did not have all synpower in there and I don't have pure GM fluid in there now, but the problem is gone. I don't think air in the system is the issue. The evidence seems to prove to me that the Synpower is the problem. Whadya think?

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Yeah, sounds like it. I've used Synpower PSF in my Olds van and it eliminated a squeal/moan that started at around 115,000 miles. This noise returned at around 150,000 miles and this time I used some of Molakules SF fluid. It eliminated the noise, too.

 

[NewC6]

I'm grateful to everyone for their responses. To date, the GM fluid is the way I am going to go. Not bashing Synpower per se, just saying that in my situation, it presented problems which were immediately rectified by going back to the factory fluid. I am still a believer in syns, just not going to use them in the PS. The motor oil and diff and transmission are or will be syns shortly, (tranny is all that is left). Thanks to all for responding.