Changed power steering fluid, are bubbles normal?

[Pyral]

I just tried changing my power steering fluid. I used the Fix It Angel video where you fit a hose into a bottle of ATF so that you can drain it directly into the reservoir as you turn the wheels.

I just reconnected the hose, and filled it with fluid. When I tried turning the car on, the PS made a terrible sound. I opened the reservoir and the fluid was bubbling like a soda. Is this normal and will these bubbles go away on their own?


Also I got someone to turn the wheel while I drained the bottle. They thought I was going to give them a signal when to turn the wheel, and by the time I figured this out the gallon of transmission fluid was too drained to finish the job. When I go back later to do this job again, do I have to run the engine? Can I get by with switching the ignition into the ACC position and turning the wheels lock to lock manually?

 

[phattyduck]

It'll take a bit for all the bubbles to go away. Make sure you keep the level up in the reservoir. You can help by turning the wheels lock to lock with the engine running and keep topping up the level until it is clear.

-Charlie

 

[pluton]

I have had the ATF foam up (presumably from air gaps/bubbles in the system) after exchanging the ATF. As long as you keep adding ATF to keep the system filled to the correct level, the foamy bubbles will gradually (like over 5 minutes) go away as the engine runs.
BTW, if all you need to do is change out the ATF, you can easily pump it all out without starting the engine, by having the front wheels off the ground and repeatedly turning the steering wheel lock to lock. Because the pump isn't turning, you don't get foam or noise from/damage to the pump.