Power Steering Leak
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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Power Steering Leak Just got the car out of storage yesterday and when I got it home I found out that about half of my power steering fluid was gone. A couple months before putting it in storage last winter I had replaced the stock power steering pump with a 'Turn One' aftermarket pump because I was seeing power steering fluid on the garage floor where the car was parked. Well... I thought I had fixed the issue but evidently it is still leaking somewhere. I have not lifted the car yet to take a look but I did notice that the sway bar was covered in what looked like some residual fluid and possibly dried fluid? (crusty black tarry substance)
So since I know it's not the pump, where is the most common for the system to leak?
So since I know it's not the pump, where is the most common for the system to leak?
also a good possibility is the high pressure line. I have replaced a few of them on my buddies cars and mine it wouldnt leak just sitting there but turn the wheel like going into a space then shut the car off and fluid would go everywhere.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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Thanks guys, going to change the oil tomorrow so I will have a look while I am under there and post what I find. The reservoir line connection could be the culprit, I noticed the line did not fit snugly when I changed the pump last year.
Also, I have not bypassed the power steering cooling system as of yet but I am thinking that might be a good mod while I am working on this.
My first thought was the high pressure line since it seems to have sprayed the sway bar and other parts of the undercarriage with fluid. Thinking I will have to wipe everything down and drive it for a bit with some aggressive steering to figure out where the leak is coming from.
Also, I have not bypassed the power steering cooling system as of yet but I am thinking that might be a good mod while I am working on this.
My first thought was the high pressure line since it seems to have sprayed the sway bar and other parts of the undercarriage with fluid. Thinking I will have to wipe everything down and drive it for a bit with some aggressive steering to figure out where the leak is coming from.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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Hmm! Didn't really figure anything out other than I think the issue is towards the bottom of the engine where the rack is. Looks like a grease bomb went off and there is black slime all over the bottom of the alternator, sway bar, steering rack, and lines. I wiped everything down the best I could with engine degreaser so I'm going to drive it a and then lift it to see where it's spraying from
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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My plan is to replace my upper radiator hose with a non-ps cooling hose and bypass the cooler with a direct run. I'll flush the cooling system while I'm at it, wipe everything down again, and see if she leaks.
I'll post the results, thanks for the help everyone.
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Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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It's honestly a real pain in the ***. You'd have to take off the pump completely and get it on a bench to knock off the clips that hold the tank to the pump. From there, you'd need to hope the tank seal is still good. (I found it impossible to get an O-ring the right size and had to go to a pump rebuild company to get one.)
That line is also low pressure, so you could probably get away with drilling a hole and using a brass nipple there, instead of the one that's molded in to the tank. If your pump also has miles on it, you might use such a problem as an occasion to get a rebuild done.
(Hopefully this isn't your problem and you just have a loose hose...)
That line is also low pressure, so you could probably get away with drilling a hole and using a brass nipple there, instead of the one that's molded in to the tank. If your pump also has miles on it, you might use such a problem as an occasion to get a rebuild done.
(Hopefully this isn't your problem and you just have a loose hose...)
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 270
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It's honestly a real pain in the ***. You'd have to take off the pump completely and get it on a bench to knock off the clips that hold the tank to the pump. From there, you'd need to hope the tank seal is still good. (I found it impossible to get an O-ring the right size and had to go to a pump rebuild company to get one.)
That line is also low pressure, so you could probably get away with drilling a hole and using a brass nipple there, instead of the one that's molded in to the tank. If your pump also has miles on it, you might use such a problem as an occasion to get a rebuild done.
(Hopefully this isn't your problem and you just have a loose hose...)
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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A good worm drive clamp that is overtightened can cause the plastic nipple to crack, so that might be something to check. (I like to use spring clamps in these areas.)
That hose is very low pressure, so no need to get it really tight when you put it back together, assuming the tank is OK.
That hose is very low pressure, so no need to get it really tight when you put it back together, assuming the tank is OK.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 270
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A good worm drive clamp that is overtightened can cause the plastic nipple to crack, so that might be something to check. (I like to use spring clamps in these areas.)
That hose is very low pressure, so no need to get it really tight when you put it back together, assuming the tank is OK.
That hose is very low pressure, so no need to get it really tight when you put it back together, assuming the tank is OK.
Was planning on doing a full coolant system flush but after seeing where the block drain plugs were located and i didn't have the right hex driver....I decided a radiator flush would do for today.
Anyway, drove it around for a long while and checked for leaks, looks great so far. It might have been all the exhaust fumes I breathed in during the bleeding of the coolant and power steering system but it felt like the steering is more responsive and firm after this change.
Thanks for all the help, I'll keep an eye out for leaks but I'm going to say this issue is resolved.
I am curious, are you still getting PS fluid spray all around the top of the Turn One reservoir? Did you add an aftermarket PS cooler? (stacked plate designs are said to be best)
Through the years, we've found that just changing the P/S fluid solves the boil-over problem. Since most of it is replaced with a pump or cooler change, the benefits usually come with those events, also.
Thread Starter
Launching!
Joined: Feb 2013
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I haven't drove the car much lately, she's been too much of a money pit. I just checked though and no obvious leaks up top. I think there might be a slight leak around the steering rack on the drivers side. I don't know what the part is called but it runs to the wheel and has a corrugated plastic cover.