Power Steering Problem
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Power Steering Problem Ok so I am at a lost as to where this leak is coming from. I think it is steering related because this morning at low speed and while parked the steering wheel would alternate being able to be turned normally and then like it didn't have power steering. There was fluid of some sort (dark out) on my MAF bellow as well as on the serpentine belt. This afternoon I started it and drove it and the steering was fine for a few miles then started doing the same thing again. I checked the power steering fluid level in the resevoir and it was full, but the belt was soaked as was a horizontal line across the underside of my hood like the belt was throwing the fluid across the bay. The fluid was orangish but not as red as what was in the resevoir. I can't tell exactly what it is, but its definitely not oil. Its almost like a slightly darker dexcool but oily.
I am not sure where to even began diagnosing this. I think maybe its power steering fluid from the pump (or hose going to the pump) dripping on the belt and then causing it to be slung everywhere. On top of the fluid going everywhere the steering is going in and out for two drives in a row now.
I need some help with this one. I am pretty upset with this car since its my DD and I just finished replacing the opti and waterpump a few weeks ago and now this happens. Anyone got any suggestions?
I am not sure where to even began diagnosing this. I think maybe its power steering fluid from the pump (or hose going to the pump) dripping on the belt and then causing it to be slung everywhere. On top of the fluid going everywhere the steering is going in and out for two drives in a row now.
I need some help with this one. I am pretty upset with this car since its my DD and I just finished replacing the opti and waterpump a few weeks ago and now this happens. Anyone got any suggestions?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Its a new GMPP I bought. I went back outside and looked again...I do see some coolant. What would cause the steering to act like that...its just seems coincidental that two things would happen nearly simultaneously.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
Update....
So I went out to check and see if the coolant was coming from the weep hole in the WP. I jacked the car up started it and let it get to temp (idle 15-20 minutes) and not a single drip of coolant from anywhere including the weep hole. I thought maybe it could be the angle I had the car jacked up (only had pass side up) so I shut it down jacked up the drivers side only and started it back up. Ran it for another 10-15 minutes and still not a single drip from anywhere.
At this point I was almost upset because I think I would have preferred to find a cut hose or leak somewhere so I would know for sure. So after having it idle for close to 30 minutes at this point I shut it down and got if off the jack. I started it back up and drove it 2 miles (up to 65mph and back down) including a lot of swerving (to get the steering stutter to show up). After I got back home and parked it. Still nothing not a drop of coolant or power-steering fluid anywhere nor did the steering stutter like it had been.
So I don't know what would have cause the coolant to leak like it had (looked to be about 3-5oz) when I noticed the puddle under the car. My only guess is that maybe when I replaced my lower rad hose the other day (as part of the WP replacement...because I let it get too close the pulleys) that I did not get the system completely bled and maybe an air bubble worked its way up somewhere and popped letting a few ounces of coolant to spill out hitting the serpentine belt. Does this even sound feasible?
As of this afternoon though still no leaks showing up. I am going to drive it a few miles tomorrow and see if I can get the leak to show up again. Any other suggestions?
So hopefully it was just a freak occurrence with my bubble theory and it has self resolved, but I don't know.
So I went out to check and see if the coolant was coming from the weep hole in the WP. I jacked the car up started it and let it get to temp (idle 15-20 minutes) and not a single drip of coolant from anywhere including the weep hole. I thought maybe it could be the angle I had the car jacked up (only had pass side up) so I shut it down jacked up the drivers side only and started it back up. Ran it for another 10-15 minutes and still not a single drip from anywhere.
At this point I was almost upset because I think I would have preferred to find a cut hose or leak somewhere so I would know for sure. So after having it idle for close to 30 minutes at this point I shut it down and got if off the jack. I started it back up and drove it 2 miles (up to 65mph and back down) including a lot of swerving (to get the steering stutter to show up). After I got back home and parked it. Still nothing not a drop of coolant or power-steering fluid anywhere nor did the steering stutter like it had been.
So I don't know what would have cause the coolant to leak like it had (looked to be about 3-5oz) when I noticed the puddle under the car. My only guess is that maybe when I replaced my lower rad hose the other day (as part of the WP replacement...because I let it get too close the pulleys) that I did not get the system completely bled and maybe an air bubble worked its way up somewhere and popped letting a few ounces of coolant to spill out hitting the serpentine belt. Does this even sound feasible?
As of this afternoon though still no leaks showing up. I am going to drive it a few miles tomorrow and see if I can get the leak to show up again. Any other suggestions?
So hopefully it was just a freak occurrence with my bubble theory and it has self resolved, but I don't know.
