Power Steering Leaking from Cap
09-29-2011, 12:26 PM
#1
Power Steering Leaking from Cap I've cleaned the **** out of the system. Flushes multiple times and still have this problem with the fluid leaking from cap and onto reservoir and eventually onto alternator. I try to keep my engine bay clean and this is the only area of the car that gets nasty with oil even after a short 20 minute drive.
My car does not have the factory power steering cooler. Is this occuring because of the heat that our shitty power steering pump creates?
I was debating on getting a TurnOne Power Steering pump, not sure if that would also solve the issue rather than installing a power steering cooler.
My car does not have the factory power steering cooler. Is this occuring because of the heat that our shitty power steering pump creates?
I was debating on getting a TurnOne Power Steering pump, not sure if that would also solve the issue rather than installing a power steering cooler.
09-29-2011, 01:57 PM
#2
I was thinking this was another leaky p/s cooler in the upper rad hose before reading all of it. Did you install an aftermarket p/s cooler? Maybe your reservoir is too full and after driving the fluid expands too much? It is easy to overfill ther reservoir...
09-29-2011, 02:06 PM
#4
Ok, maybe install a cooler since the fluid is expanding so much. Your car is an 02, it came with a crappy one from GM, I think that by putting an aftermarket one in you'll see an improvement. There was a great writeup recently by LS6427
09-29-2011, 03:39 PM
#6
No prob. I just did the factory cooler delete as per a thread here. The pics provided etc make this very easy, and a "must do" mod as far as I'm concerned. Plenty of leaking p/s coolers have killed p/s racks, caused overflowing reservoirs etc. Apparantly, earlier F bods w/o p/s coolers were having p/s pump durability issues so GM came up with a bizarre solution. Anyhow, you'll see the whole thing during your search...
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09-29-2011, 05:23 PM
#8
Brand new car and brand new fluid shouldn't overflow.
A cooler pump, (like TurnOne) a fluid cooler, and changing the fluid to remove contaminants, should all improve the performance and give more time before overflows become a problem.
Since you flushed the system and removed the source of potential contamination, (the factory cooler) I wonder if this is a sign that your power steering pump is about to crap out on you or is not performing correctly?
A cooler pump, (like TurnOne) a fluid cooler, and changing the fluid to remove contaminants, should all improve the performance and give more time before overflows become a problem.
Since you flushed the system and removed the source of potential contamination, (the factory cooler) I wonder if this is a sign that your power steering pump is about to crap out on you or is not performing correctly?
09-30-2011, 11:39 AM
#13
A new cap or pump will not prevent the p/s fluid from expanding due to it being hot. As the fluid is compressed by the pump, heat is generated and is transferred to the fluid. This is what it was designed to do. Also known and accounted for by engineers is the amount a given fluid expands when hot. When the fluid is cooled, it stops expanding and contracts. When the fluid is operating outside its' intended range ie too hot, the rate of expansion will be greater than the capacity of the reservoir. You can see on the reservoir cap that the fluid has a limited amount of expansion before it overflows. Keep the fluid cooler and it expands less. Maybe some compatable synthetic p/s fluids are more stable and contract less? Anyway, GM saw fit to add a cooler (of sorts) and guys have found while autocrossing it is inadequate. Removing this cooler may cause issues while driving in normal every day situations so...
09-30-2011, 11:44 AM
#15
A new cap or pump will not prevent the p/s fluid from expanding due to it being hot. As the fluid is compressed by the pump, heat is generated and is transferred to the fluid. This is what it was designed to do. Also known and accounted for by engineers is the amount a given fluid expands when hot. When the fluid is cooled, it stops expanding and contracts. When the fluid is operating outside its' intended range ie too hot, the rate of expansion will be greater than the capacity of the reservoir. You can see on the reservoir cap that the fluid has a limited amount of expansion before it overflows. Keep the fluid cooler and it expands less. Maybe some compatable synthetic p/s fluids are more stable and contract less? Anyway, GM saw fit to add a cooler (of sorts) and guys have found while autocrossing it is inadequate. Removing this cooler may cause issues while driving in normal every day situations so...
09-30-2011, 05:42 PM
#16
Hey guys just an update. If anyone is looking for the same Power Steering cooler that LS6427 purchased, its the Hayden/Imperial 401 cooler. I went to Advance Auto and its a special order here in TX 
However it was cheaper at Amazon with free 1 day shipping if you sign up for Amazon Prime Trial! I ordered it today and its scheduled for tomorrow 
However it was cheaper at Amazon with free 1 day shipping if you sign up for Amazon Prime Trial! I ordered it today and its scheduled for tomorrow
09-30-2011, 11:27 PM
#17
On the TurnOne pump - you'll have diminished low speed steering power. That's by design. If you want the same overboosted stock design, TurnOne will also rebuild your stock pump.
Just thought of something... What kind of P/S fluid are you using?
Just thought of something... What kind of P/S fluid are you using?
