GMC Sierra 3500 HD Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(6)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(6)

Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection Service

How much does a Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a GMC Sierra 3500 HD Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2008 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2017 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.6L Turbo DieselService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2018 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2010 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.6L Turbo DieselService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
2016 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.6L Turbo DieselService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
2008 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.6L Turbo DieselService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2014 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.6L Turbo DieselService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2011 GMC Sierra 3500 HDV8-6.0LService typePower steering fluid is brown or black InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example GMC Sierra 3500 HD Power steering fluid is brown or black Inspection prices

Finding discolored fluid in any component of your vehicle is worrisome. Discolored fluid can be a frustrating problem because you may not know what is causing the discoloration and because it looks harmful. Indeed, brown or black power steering fluid is never a good sign and should be addressed quickly.

How this system works:

Power steering fluid is a necessary part of your vehicle’s power steering system. The fluid is pumped from the reservoir to the wheels by the power steering pump. Near the wheels the power steering fluid applies pressure to a piston inside the rack and pinion, which is connected to the wheels. This pressure gives the wheels the strength needed to turn and makes a vehicle dramatically easier to steer.

When the fluid becomes contaminated, the entire power steering system can be damaged. The dark colored power steering fluid can clog the power steering pump hoses and damage the bearings in the system.

Brown or black power steering fluid is not a death sentence for your vehicle but it is an issue that should be handled promptly. You can continue to drive your vehicle however, it is best to make an appointment with a mechanic as soon as possible.

Common reasons for this to happen:

  • Contaminated with Aluminum: As your power steering fluid does its job, it comes into frequent contact with your vehicle’s rack and pinion. The rack and pinion system is made up of high amounts of aluminum which over time can shed into a fine powdered state. This fine powder can contaminate your power steering fluid resulting in a sludgy compound that does not hold the same consistency as your ideal power steering fluid.

This shedding of aluminum particles is natural, so you usually don’t need to be concerned with the status of your car’s rack and pinion. However, after having your steering fluid replaced, you should check its color with regularity. If the fluid returns to a dark color quickly, then the rack and pinion should be inspected.

  • Water In System: Water causes power steering fluid to oxidize, which diminishes the ability of the fluid and therefore of the system as a whole. As with many components of your vehicle, the power steering fluid reservoir can sometimes trap unwanted water. This water mixes with the fluid, causes oxidization and changes the color of the power steering fluid.

  • Fluid Degradation: Power steering fluid is subject to high loads of pressure, as it relies on pressure to do its job effectively. This pressure causes the temperature of the fluid to increase, especially during long drives. As the fluid rises in temperature, it begins to slowly break down as the chemicals separate from one another. This is known as electrochemical degradation and is the cause of discoloration and sludge in the power steering fluid.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the cause of the brown or black power steering fluid, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

Discolored power steering fluid cannot be reversed. Instead, the fluid needs to be drained from the power steering system and replaced with fresh fluid. This is called a power steering fluid flush. A mechanic will disconnect the power steering hose from the power steering pump and drain all of the fluid out of the system. After reconnecting the hose to the pump, a fresh batch of clean power steering fluid will be added to the reservoir. Once the system has been flushed, the mechanic will usually turn on your vehicle and turn the steering wheel a few times to introduce the new fluid to the system. This process will also allow your mechanic to identify any other issue that may require his or her attention.

How important is this service?

When your power steering becomes discolored, it runs the risk of harming the rest of your power steering system. It’s important that you schedule an inspection as soon as you notice that your power steering fluid is brown or black, so that you don’t cause severe damage to the system.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert GMC mechanics

Real customer reviews from GMC owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(6)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0

Roberto

9 years of experience
46 reviews
Roberto
9 years of experience
GMC Sierra 3500 HD V8-6.6L Turbo Diesel - Windshield Washer Tubes - Mesa, Arizona
Prompt and obviously knew what he was doing. Very satisfied with service.

Juan

9 years of experience
313 reviews
Juan
9 years of experience
GMC Sierra 3500 HD V8-6.6L Turbo Diesel - Brake System Flush - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Great at what does! Truck fixed and running great.

Juan

9 years of experience
313 reviews
Juan
9 years of experience
GMC Sierra 3500 HD V8-6.6L Turbo Diesel - Coolant is leaking - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Prompt and knowledgeable.

Robert

20 years of experience
1104 reviews
Robert
20 years of experience
GMC Sierra 3500 HD V8-6.6L Turbo Diesel - Pre-purchase Car Inspection - Brighton, Colorado
Robert was on time an completed the job as requested, would use his services again. Thanks! Mark L.

Excellent Rating

(6)

Rating Summary
6
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
Number of GMC Sierra 3500 HD services completed
66+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT GMC MECHANICS
900+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

2012 Toyota Corolla vs. 2012 Honda Civic: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars are the unsung heroes, slightly larger than a subcompact, but not quite big enough to be classified as a mid-size sedan. These vehicles have a small wheelbase of no longer than 109 inches with between 100 and 109...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have Kids
Once Once you have kids, the kind of car you have becomes very important. Suddenly, the amount of space, entertainment features, reliability, safety, and easy to clean interior become the top priorities. Here’s a list of vehicles meant to satisfy...
How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Car Title in North Dakota
Your Your car title is what binds you to your vehicle as it proves you are the registered owner. This is a powerful title to hold, and one you will want to keep track of. Unfortunately things can happen and...

Guages not working

Hi. It sounds like you may be onto something. When the gears on the speedometer cable wear out, it is unable to calculate the vehicle speed and display it on the instrument cluster. In rare cases, the cluster itself will...

Car sputters and dies

Hello. It will first be necessary to find out why the Check Engine Light is on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection). This could be the reason your car is stalling. It is also possible that the is a problem with the fuel system, as...

2002 Mercedes C230 Kompressor engine won't start

Confirm that the engine immobilizer system (security system) is not activated thus preventing the car from starting. If the immobilizer system is on, you may see a security warning light. If the warning light is on, to temporarily override the...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com