Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

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VAG Fan
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Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by VAG Fan »

[Edit, 13/12/2021 - added some info at the end, for anyone interested]

My Mk4 Golf (TDI) is running a bit low on power steering fluid. I want to buy the correct fluid for topping it up. I would like to be absolutely sure that the top-up fluid is the same, or at least fully compatible, with what's in the car from factory, to avoid issues with leaking seals later. (Been there before on a previous car, that's the reason I'm asking.)

The driver's manual in my Golf doesn't give any specs for this fluid. (Heck, it doesn't even have the engine of my model listed...)

Can anyone give me a reliable source of information that confirms part numbers, e.g. OEM part no., FeBi part no.?

Secondly, any advice welcome on complete flush vs. top-up.
Last edited by VAG Fan on Mon Dec 13, 2021 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
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HendrikCTI
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by HendrikCTI »

What I did. Got mixed answers of "leave it alone" and some saying complete drain and flush.
Obviously you first need to know what is currently in it. I waited until my car was driven to somewhere like shop or work.

Then I bought something like 2 litres of the same spec fluid that my car is using. I also bought a 60ml disposable syringe at the local "kooperasie". They use them to give the big animals injections. With engine off I drain as much as I can from the reservoir. Then I top up to max mark with new fluid. Start car for a couple of seconds, switch off and repeat. Eventually the fluid became red again with the process. There is other ways mentioned on the internet including lifting the whole front and then with car switched off moving the steering side to side to work through the new fluid.
If your power steering fluid is dark, I would recommend do it. Mine was a little more quieter than normal after the flush method. Maybe my imagination. But I still think it was a good idea after seeing the old fluid looking like Coca Cola.
My cars: 2004 Nissan Almera 1.6
1977 Datsun 1200GX
(100% FULLY restored, 13" mags fitted)
Wife's car: 2019 Suzuki Ciaz
VAG Fan
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by VAG Fan »

Dankie, Hendrik.

I've scoured the interwebs and have found that the spec for the Mk4 is
VW G004000M2 (M2 just means 1 litre). G004000 supersedes the old G002000 and is compatible with it.
FeBi 46161 or 06161 - I think the 46161 is the newer spec and 06161 corresponds to G002000.

Mine actually runs perfectly quietly and smoothly, except for a hum/whine developing when going uphill or around a left bend, i.e. the pump is starting to draw air.

I'll see what the fluid looks like. Mine should be green. I agree, if it's dark, I'll probably try to do a complete flush, hopefully without needing 10 litres of the stuff...
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
HendrikCTI
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by HendrikCTI »

Good luck and keep us updated
My cars: 2004 Nissan Almera 1.6
1977 Datsun 1200GX
(100% FULLY restored, 13" mags fitted)
Wife's car: 2019 Suzuki Ciaz
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missioner
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by missioner »

The green oil is called Pentosin 11S.

It's found in various German and French cars.

GW do sell a Febi equivalent oil which works fine.

Just be careful they don't sell you the newer type oil as it's not compatible with the oil in your car.

1.5 liters will be enough for a full flush. To do this you can remove the smaller pipe on the reservoir and drop it into a bucket. With the car lifted turn the steering lock to lock. Do not run the engine at this time until you have filled new oil.

Bleed all the air out of the system after starting the engine by again turning the steering to the locks, keep going till the air bubbles have subsided in the reservoir.

Wash all the spilled oil with any biodegradable degreaser and a hose pipe.

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'87 Golf 1 Olde Skewl OEM+
VAG Fan
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by VAG Fan »

Thanks for the heads-up on the complete flush.
missioner wrote: Tue Aug 17, 2021 7:24 pm The green oil is called Pentosin 11S.

It's found in various German and French cars.

GW do sell a Febi equivalent oil which works fine.

Just be careful they don't sell you the newer type oil as it's not compatible with the oil in your car.

[...]
That's where things get sort-of confusing. The new oil is also green, and the forward and backward compatibility isn't really clear when one consults various sources.

I've just checked the Pentosin webpage and catalogue.
CHF11S is the older spec. It corresponds to FeBi 06161, VW spec TL 52 146.00, part no. G002000 and is listed for VWs up to 2005.
CHF202 is the newer spec, corresponding to FeBi 46161, VW spec TL 52 146.01, part no. G004000 and is listed for VWs from 2006.
This supports what you said.

But most other sources I've found, including FeBi (on bilsteingroup.com) and VW themselves (on elcats.ru), list the newer spec (46161, G004000) for the Mk4. FeBi also lists 06161 as being compatible with VW G004000. (Forward compatibility??? Weird.) There are also other oils on the market that are compatible with both specs.

I was actually planning on getting some 46161, but after seeing the Pentosin catalogue, it looks like I'll be getting the 06161 after all. (Could have kept all the bottles that I gave away when I sold my Audi...) If the oil doesn't look too bad, I'll just top up for now.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
VAG Fan
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by VAG Fan »

P.S.: and then there are some reports in forums that the filler caps in vehicles even after 2006 still say, "Only mineral fluid G002000..."

Both CHF11S and CHF202 are synthetic oils, not mineral. The mind boggles.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
VAG Fan
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Posts: 1440
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Location: Pretoria

Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by VAG Fan »

Just some added info, as a heads-up to anyone reading this in future.

TL;DR: green hydraulic fluid discolours with age to a coppery orange. Don't be fooled by this.

Full version:
I got a bottle of the correct fluid (FeBi 06161 = CHF11S) and wanted to do a top-up on my Mk4's power steering this weekend, in preparation for a long road trip. But I thought, before simply topping it up, let me just check the colour of what's in there at the moment. And lo-and-behold, the fluid is not green, but a golden-brownish orange, like a coppery, dark honey colour. Perfectly clear, though, and no bad smell either, but just not green!

THAT puzzled me and had me worried. Had someone previously added red fluid? But I've basically got a full service history and know that the fluid is still the original factory filling. So, later, I wondered whether the G002000 will actually discolour over time.

So I called Panic Mechanic, and he confirmed my hunch. It's not red fluid, but indeed old "green" fluid. The stuff discolours with age. It's OK to top up for now, and to do a complete flush later, if I want to.

So, if you know for sure that a system hasn't been flushed, don't worry if you find orange fluid inside.
Mark R.
- - - - - - - - - -
2004 VW Golf TDI, type 1J, AHF, 317k (2016-current) --- daily
1990 VW Fox, type 16, HM, 304k (2005-current) --- spare runaround
Previous:
1992 Audi 500 SE, type C4, AAR (2001-2020) --- nice while it lasted
1983 VW Golf GTS, type 17, FR (1992-2005) --- most fun car I've ever had
1978 Audi 100 GLS 5E, type 43, WC (1991-92) --- died in the side of a Rekord who cut me off
- - - - - - - - - -
n.gov3
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Re: Which fluid for Mk4 (TDI) power steering

Post by n.gov3 »

VAG Fan wrote: Mon Dec 13, 2021 11:02 am Just some added info, as a heads-up to anyone reading this in future.

TL;DR: green hydraulic fluid discolours with age to a coppery orange. Don't be fooled by this.

Full version:
I got a bottle of the correct fluid (FeBi 06161 = CHF11S) and wanted to do a top-up on my Mk4's power steering this weekend, in preparation for a long road trip. But I thought, before simply topping it up, let me just check the colour of what's in there at the moment. And lo-and-behold, the fluid is not green, but a golden-brownish orange, like a coppery, dark honey colour. Perfectly clear, though, and no bad smell either, but just not green!

THAT puzzled me and had me worried. Had someone previously added red fluid? But I've basically got a full service history and know that the fluid is still the original factory filling. So, later, I wondered whether the G002000 will actually discolour over time.

So I called Panic Mechanic, and he confirmed my hunch. It's not red fluid, but indeed old "green" fluid. The stuff discolours with age. It's OK to top up for now, and to do a complete flush later, if I want to.

So, if you know for sure that a system hasn't been flushed, don't worry if you find orange fluid inside.
Thanks for the detailed info.... I'll definitely use it on my mk 4
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