Picked up an '00 SS. The power steering fluid is pretty nasty (original?) and it was a little low. I want to be able to drive the car a little bit before it ships home but don't want to mess up the pump. That's the only thing that's really bad.

I bought a quart of GM p/s fluid. I sucked out the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilled. Then did it again when I drove the car to a storage facility a couple miles away. I've got enough to do it a third time, I think. It's still pretty dirty but has lightened up a few shades. The new fluid is translucent.

Will this be effective enough for 100-200 miles of driving? I have no idea how much these systems hold or how much fluid I'm actually replacing. It will get a proper flush when I get the car home and into my shop.

 

You'll be fine as long as your 200 mile trip isn't auto-x

 

No autocross, just some road miles. The reservoir is staying full but I'm still searching for a definitive answer on how much fluid the system holds. I've read anywhere from a pint, to two quarts (may be variable if there is a PS cooler), and up to 4 quarts to flush the system. This pump is louder than I remember on these cars, but isn't what I'd describe as whining. Maybe a little bit, but it's hard to tell from regular power steering noise.

 

Have you checked the 2000 factory service manual? Free download:

https://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

 

Perfect! Thank you. The 2000 Service Manual, which I just downloaded, says to use 1 quart to flush the system on page 2-28. I have to assume the capacity is similar or less.