Power Steering Leak (HELP!)
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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From: Northern Virginia
Power Steering Leak (HELP!) I need some help with my power steering leak. The car is a 2007 Z06 with 28k miles.
I noticed the leak when I lifted the car the other day to check for exhaust leaks. Found a couple drops PS fluid ready to drop off the front leaf spring. Everything below the high pressure hose is wet. Here's the kicker.. when I drive the car, fluid is getting thrown around. There are spots on the coolant reservoir and a clear mark under the hood where the fluid is getting thrown while driving. The belt is BONE DRY. Not sure how this is happening.
What is a good place to start to figure out what's leaking? What is normally the cause of a leaking power steering system? I really don't think the pump is bad but the only thing I can think of is that a seal in the PS pump is leaking, getting on the pulley and spraying the fluid around. Could the high pressure hose do the same thing?
Any input is appreciated... I'm really at a loss of what to do.
Thanks.
I noticed the leak when I lifted the car the other day to check for exhaust leaks. Found a couple drops PS fluid ready to drop off the front leaf spring. Everything below the high pressure hose is wet. Here's the kicker.. when I drive the car, fluid is getting thrown around. There are spots on the coolant reservoir and a clear mark under the hood where the fluid is getting thrown while driving. The belt is BONE DRY. Not sure how this is happening.
What is a good place to start to figure out what's leaking? What is normally the cause of a leaking power steering system? I really don't think the pump is bad but the only thing I can think of is that a seal in the PS pump is leaking, getting on the pulley and spraying the fluid around. Could the high pressure hose do the same thing?
Any input is appreciated... I'm really at a loss of what to do.
Thanks.
If its just a slow drip hitting the belt.....it probably won't show any wet spots on it after you shut. The engine off to look at it.
It's possible the high pressure hose where the rubber and metal meet is squirting fluid out of a pinhole size leak......
Also, the rubber line that attaches to the bottom of the reservoir with a small metal clamp often starts leaking when that line is old.......
Let it get hot, put it the front end up in the air, and take a flashlight and look around.
.
It's possible the high pressure hose where the rubber and metal meet is squirting fluid out of a pinhole size leak......
Also, the rubber line that attaches to the bottom of the reservoir with a small metal clamp often starts leaking when that line is old.......
Let it get hot, put it the front end up in the air, and take a flashlight and look around.
.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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From: Northern Virginia
Will the high pressure hose show a leak if I hold the wheel at the turn lock?
Is it possible that the shaft seal on the pump is bad?
I can only get the system to leak when it's hot and driving. There's a sling of fluid under the hood after driving. Somehow the fluid is getting on the pulley and flinging the fluid around. Just not sure what it is.
Is it possible that the shaft seal on the pump is bad?
I can only get the system to leak when it's hot and driving. There's a sling of fluid under the hood after driving. Somehow the fluid is getting on the pulley and flinging the fluid around. Just not sure what it is.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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From: Northern Virginia
Update.. I went out and took the belt off. I am able to wiggle the pulley a little bit. I shouldn't be able to wiggle it at all, right?
Bumping full lock isn't showing a leak on the high pressure hose... kind of at a loss here.
Bumping full lock isn't showing a leak on the high pressure hose... kind of at a loss here.
12 Second Club
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bucks County, Pa.
The pump shaft does have a little end play, even on a brand new, OEM, high quality pump, and this is exaggerated by the leverage of tilting the pulley, so it is not what you would go by to tell a bad pump. 
Are the rack seals leaking at all, and are all of the line connections tight??
Are the rack seals leaking at all, and are all of the line connections tight??
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 12
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From: Northern Virginia
I cleaned everything with brake cleaner last night. Let it sit over night and was able to fit my hand under the pump. Definitely fresh fluid coming out on to the pulley. Will order a new pump today. Unbelievable that this happened on a car with 27k miles and not even 7 years old. I feel that this was caused by the old men who had this car before me who just let it sit in the garage. Then again, the GM PS pumps are known to be poor, so who knows.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,285
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From: Elgin, Il
Add fluorescent dye to the P/S reservoir and get a blacklight.
You are correct, Vette stuff always seeps/sweats out because the cars never get warmed up enough. Most old men who can afford a brand new Z06 just putter it around town and to car shows, with the occasional road America trip.
I cleaned everything with brake cleaner last night. Let it sit over night and was able to fit my hand under the pump. Definitely fresh fluid coming out on to the pulley. Will order a new pump today. Unbelievable that this happened on a car with 27k miles and not even 7 years old. I feel that this was caused by the old men who had this car before me who just let it sit in the garage. Then again, the GM PS pumps are known to be poor, so who knows.
