Hey - wondering if you can route the low pressure line throught the radiator's AT port for cooling since I have a MT? Or is it too hot.
Low pressure power steering line through the radiator
- Thread starter 05 Blue Unlimited
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Nimbley
TJ Enthusiast
You can do it and it definitely won’t hurt. PS fluid gets really hot when its being worked. You’d be better buying an external cooler though. Something at least about 4x6 inches mounted in the airflow if you want it to perform better than the radiator. A generic PS or AT external cooler is cheap an easy to install.
Is the radiator too hot? Good question.
I never thought about one of the lines being low pressure but I guess returning to the pump would be lower than leaving the pump. Now I kinda wonder where the most heat comes from, the pump or the steering box.
John Scoggins
TJ Enthusiast
It would come from the pump since that is where the energy is put in the fluid for the steering gear to do the work. Does anybody have a laser thermometer and can see what the return line temperature is to see if running the return through the radiator would cool the fluid or heat it up.
Of course, it some serious off roading the temperature might be different......
Yep but I have a drip leak started from my rad and since I am going to buy one it got me to wondering of the possibility. I guess the question comes down to how hot the PS fluid gets and if the rad operating at ~210 would have a negative effect; but I do agree a dedicated system is best for sure.
Nimbley
TJ Enthusiast
The steering fluid will definitely get over 200 degrees. Especially when being worked hard.
Make sure you buy power steering return hose when you do it. Any other type will turn to mush in a short time. Using barbed fitting with regular hose clamps is fine as the pressure is much less than the supply.
Make sure you buy power steering return hose when you do it. Any other type will turn to mush in a short time. Using barbed fitting with regular hose clamps is fine as the pressure is much less than the supply.
If you have 210 degree coolant in the lower tank, you have trouble. It doesn't take much of a cooler for PS fluid.
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