Massive power steering fluid leak.
Massive power steering fluid leak. So my car is hemorrhaging power steering fluid. Driving the car slowly through a parking lot leaves a blatant trail. Letting the car run 5 minutes in one place leaves a puddle. My first thought was that my 98 Z28 has the same issue my 99 did- that stupid *** metal section that GM calls a 'power steering cooler'. However I read that those were only done on 2000 or newer cars and I visibly checked and there is only solid hose coming from the radiator.
So this has to be a complete failure of the pump or reservoir right? Or are these cars known to leak from somewhere else not listed in the sticky?
So this has to be a complete failure of the pump or reservoir right? Or are these cars known to leak from somewhere else not listed in the sticky?
I had a PS leak once and it was the hose. But it was a slow leak.
As fast as you're leaking, I would say spray some degreaser and do a basic 5 minute cleanup in the area and then turn the engine on so you can find the leak easily. Or it might not even need that if it's basically spurting out like a stuck pig. There's not many parts to a PS system.
As fast as you're leaking, I would say spray some degreaser and do a basic 5 minute cleanup in the area and then turn the engine on so you can find the leak easily. Or it might not even need that if it's basically spurting out like a stuck pig. There's not many parts to a PS system.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 266
From: Bossier City, Louisiana
As directed above, wipe the steering gear box, hoses and pump down thoroughly. Start your engine and see if you can find the leak. I recently had a Pitman arm seal out of the gear box that was leaking - 48 years old, not surprised. Replaced the box with a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering box.
Rick
Rick
Big leak should be easier to track down unless you can't see it while the car is running because of the fluid being thrown in your face.
My 98 had the power steering heater and I pulled it out of the loop and hung it by zip ties for short time while I got the new cooler figured out. After a few weeks of being on jack stands I started finding a wet spot under the car. I looked up there and the power steering heater started dripping, guess I picked the perfect time to start removing it.
My 98 had the power steering heater and I pulled it out of the loop and hung it by zip ties for short time while I got the new cooler figured out. After a few weeks of being on jack stands I started finding a wet spot under the car. I looked up there and the power steering heater started dripping, guess I picked the perfect time to start removing it.
This sounds to me like an easy thing to deal with, although any P/S leak is a messy thing to deal with. A leak in the pump or a high pressure line will spray paint the entire engine bay with fluid. (Just take a look!) A leak in a return (low pressure) line, the rack, or the reservoir will just flow out.
Have you done any repairs recently? Sometimes people will break the plastic nipple on the bottom of the P/S tank reservoir. You could also have a simple leaking hose or bad O-ring.
Big leak should be easier to track down unless you can't see it while the car is running because of the fluid being thrown in your face.
My 98 had the power steering heater and I pulled it out of the loop and hung it by zip ties for short time while I got the new cooler figured out. After a few weeks of being on jack stands I started finding a wet spot under the car. I looked up there and the power steering heater started dripping, guess I picked the perfect time to start removing it.
My 98 had the power steering heater and I pulled it out of the loop and hung it by zip ties for short time while I got the new cooler figured out. After a few weeks of being on jack stands I started finding a wet spot under the car. I looked up there and the power steering heater started dripping, guess I picked the perfect time to start removing it.
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Amazingly, 5 motors later and I still have my OEM PS pump and water pump. I also make a pretty fancy hose kit
Last edited by wssix99; Oct 30, 2018 at 11:25 AM. Reason: removed solicitation
What hoses are those. I know my high pressure line is leaking like the OPs high rate. I haven't got any experience with Patpo steering but I know there's a high pressure line and return through the cooler. That's about it.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Teaxs
Check the union of the return line to the rack (I believe it to be the bottom right connection as you look at it under the car). The fluted connecting line inside the nut can sometimes fissure and create a slow drip that leaks into the skid plate and leaks out as the fluid travels down hill. The little o-ring on the nut doesn't support any pressure for the hard line.....if that's the issue, unfortunately a new rack is needed.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Teaxs
Get a dye kit (glasses - dye - blue light all in 1) Add a cap full of dye to the reservoir and run it for a while...close the garage door and climb under with low to no exterior light - put the glasses on and click on the blue light pen then look at all your connections. The dye will illuminate when the blue light. It's a lot cheaper than takin' it to some yay-hoo who will charge stupid amounts and just tell ya "well, you gotta leak".....duh!