Power Steering Fluid: Pentosin CHF 11s

[papertiger]

I recently changed my power steering pump and all hoses. A buddy of mine had a container of Pentosin CHF 11s lying around from an old job he did on an Audi and we decided to use it instead of ATF fluid. After doing a quick search on R3V and across the interwebs I was unable to find any info on Pentosin CHF 11s and if it's compatible with my system. It is hydraulic fluid so I don't see the problem with using it in my 91 318is. I did find a post on another site that stated Pentosin will eat through rubber hoses, but that's about it. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with it? Should I just turkey baste the fluid out of the resevoir and fill it with Dextron 3? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Chuck C]

BMW's Operating Fluids Manual states that green CHF fluid may be substituted for red ATF in cases where brief hydraulic noise occurs when starting at low outside temperature. It also states, in bold type, that mixing ATF and CHF is not permitted. Sounds to me like you need to drain your system, replace the reservoir/filter, and refill with ATF. My choice would be Dexron VI, since it is readily available everywhere, and way cheaper than CHF 11S.

[jalopi]

According to this:

http://www.pentosin.net/pressreleases/CRP-116_Pentosin_CHF11S_V3.pdf

It's BMW approved.. though it doesn't mention anything about BMWs made 20+ years ago. The only thing I know about the stuff is one of my old co workers told me "This is the shit you use in Euro cars, OK?". Granted, I use ATF in all my stuff... you'll probably be fine either way.

[AndrewBird]

E34s with sls use it, including all tourings which have lad.

[Ray Smoodiver]

CHF 11s is used on newer cars because things like ASF use it.

Also, I believe it was in the process of being phased out / superseeded around 24 months ago when I was working for BMW, don't quote me on that though.

[papertiger]

thanks everyone for the quick replies -- i think i'm going to stick with the pentosin for now and see what happens.

unfortunately i don't have enough money/time to replace the hoses, resevior and clean out the pump......unless there's a e30 donation section on r3v......if it doesn't exist....i might have to start one....