Have many of you had problem with boiling the power steering fluid on the track ? I tracked it twice so far. The first time I was not very agressive and had no issue but the second day during the last run which laster longer than normal (25mins) I noticed that the PS fluid overflowed.

Any opinions on whether i should get the Nismo or Stillen cooler ?

 

the nismo works fine. boiled mine stock, haven't with the nismo.

 

+1

 

I boiled mine over, had fluid all over the hood. I would suggest either the Nismo if yo uare going to keep tracking.

 

Not saying it isn't necessary or needed, as many have had success with it. I only had a little spill out once, so I just removed about 1/4" of fluid, and I haven't had a problem since.

 

Thanks for the replies. It boiled on the last session of the day which was longer than usual - 25mins. This is a 1.4M track with 14 curves, so lots of turning. It did not spill out that much but I'm sure it will only get worse as my driving improves and the temp gets warmer this summer. So no one with experience with the Stillen cooler ?

 

I'll be putting the Nismo on next week. I went with Nismo since Stillen parts tend to fit like crap and their customer service stinks worse than doo doo

 

Installed mine after I heard what happend to 2003z on the track. Havent had a problem with it. Now if I can just get the diff cover on. Lol.

 

LOL, it might keep it from overflowing but it is not keeping it from overheating.

 

Good point, but after running about 2 dozen HPDE's, I haven't found a need for one. A bunch of 350Z's are going to an event tomorrow, so I might just get some temp readings with a friends pyrometer. Do you know the boiling point of power steering fluid? Per the Weather Channel, it's only going to be in the upper 50's, so it won't be a real test, but might prove interesting none the less.

 

Yeah in the upper 50's will be tough to get it to the boiling point but I would say the boiling point would be in the 200-220 range deoending on brand.

 

you and me both. we bought them when performance first got them over a year ago!

 

Installing the Nismo finned diff cover is easy. I did it! A lift made it a lot easier. Hardest/most time consuming part was reconnecting the d*mn vent hose.

 

my procrastination is due to the oversized cusco sways and borla exhaust, mostly the exhaust. I don't want to have to unbolt and disassemble it. Disassembling an exhaust like that after so many heat cycles is a major PITA.

 

Just curious what the circumstances are when you guys are boiling the ps fluid. I have yet to run into this and I run meaty r compounds up front. Is it fast wheel movement or just the long sessions. I usually only run 15 minutes or so because I have to get back to the pits early to meet up with students. Maybe I'm not running long enough. Or driving fast enough

 

For me it took about 20 HPDE events with 20 - 30 minute run sessions on street tires. These events covered tracks with extrememly fast turns and extremely slow turns. Not many fast wheel movements, although I was running with the OEM 17s...I wonder if maybe the weight of the OEM wheels being turned might have something to do with it?

In any case, once I experienced the extreme cavitation from boiled PS fluid and went to the Nismo cooler, I haven't had any problems. If nothing else, it's cheap insurance against your power steering going off at the wrong time on the track.

 

What would be the effect on the steering once it starts boiling ? How does it feel ? I did not notice a difference in steering feel only that it had spilled out.

 

Just got back from the track, and had a great time with the Lotus club! 4 350Z's & 2 G35C's. Weather was dry and I think the temps got into the middle 60's. Measured the PS fluid at the reservoir with a laser pyrometer, and the highest temp of 3 Z's was about 180 degrees. I'm sure the boiling point is a lot higher than that. Non of us have ever had a problem boiling fluid, and we all generally run 25-30 minute sessions, and we all have been to events with temps in the 90's. One of the Z's is extremely fast, and he runs Hoosiers or other slicks and he has never had a problem with boiling fluid.

So, I'm kind of confused as to why some have issues with it and others don't.

 

I did a search on Google, and found that Valvoline lists their power steering fluids boiling point at >425 degrees F. I don't think any of us are seeing this number, but what do I know?

Here is a link:

http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/m...6/wcd04631.htm

 

Sorry I guess I should have specified, my numbers were in C not F.