Honda Fluids!

I bought a Honda Accord 92. I have a set of questions.

1. Today, the power steering belt just slipped off the pump while I
was driving.
Does anybody know why did this happen?

2. I loosened the pump by removing the screws and put the belt back.
Before loosening it, I had to open the brown metallic pipes which were
going from the pump to the reservoir. Some Fluid flowed out. I do
understand that I should get the original honda power steering fluid.
Is the fluid sold by PepBoys or NAPa or autozone saying "only honda"
reliable?

3. I do not know what kind of fluid is there in my car right now. It
never gave me any problems. I bought it at 127k , now it is 132k. Is
it fine to mix the existing fluid and this new fluid.

4. I understood the bleeding mechanism. One thing I did not understand
is, is the reservoir also at a pressure. If I open the reservoir to
add more fluid, will the air still flow in?


Thanks a million for you help. Thanks!

Regards
Prashant

 

ive heard hondas brake fluid isnt that great, either

 

Hey

Thanks a million, a million more.

I remember taking it to the mechanic when I bought it in April, he
said that he has "serviced" the power steering. I would believe that
he had changed the fluid too. Right now my car is parket far away from
my home.

1. Do you think , that for now I can mix fluids, bring the car back
and put an original honda fluid this weekend. As you said , its not
expensive, so I am ready to spend some money on the fluids.


2. Is there a proper way of checking the belt tension. I searched the
web and it suggested two things.

1. Mark the belt with a sketchpen and run the pump and see if it
slips.
2. Put 'certain amount of force' on the belt and see how much it
bends. It should bend 1/2 inch.


I understand the test 1. I will do that. In the second test, if I know
the force, how do I measure it. I mean how do I make sure that I am
not applying more or less force? I am sorry if its a stupid question
but I am confused.


Thanks and Regards

 

The second test is how you officially test is. And since a overtightened
belt probably won't slip, but will damage a pump, the first test is
practically useless, IMHO.
You need some kind of scale, I forget how to describe it, it's like a fish
scale or something, but to do it accurately, you'd need some tools, so...I
don't know.
The forse you should use is probably 22 pounds. I guess you could practice
pressing with your hand on a bathroom scale to about 20-25 lbs, and see if
you can use that force on the middle of the belt, and then measure the
deflection, but that would be a VERY rough guide.