C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 10:20 AM
  #1  
C3 Shark Tank's Avatar
C3 Shark Tank
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Default ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed?

I'm in the middle of an engine swap so I bought a nice set of billet pulleys including one for the power steering pump. Well, I get the old pulley off, sand down the pump and paint it, then get the new billet pulley put on, a day later I notice a small puddle of fluid under the pump. It appears to be leaking at the very bottom of the pump where the pump and bottle meet. The pump is a Saginaw type for an 81. My question is can it be fixed or am I going to be very unhappy about this? :cry
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 12:10 PM
  #2  
Scott78's Avatar
Scott78
Drifting
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

Probably the front shaft seal, mine decided to leak sitting over the winter. So new pump is coming Monday for install. Pulling old pulley and installing new one might of unsettled it just enough to cause leak. Other option is gasket between pump and reservoir, I believe there is one there. Usually I just replace whole unit(pump&reservoir) when they start to leak. I know there are pita to get in and out. But you own a C3 so you almost have to expect it.

Scott
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 12:13 PM
  #3  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

If it is just a seal, a rebuild kit will do fine. But believe it or not, I have seen pumps where the bottom of the fluid reservoir has rusted out!!
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 01:21 PM
  #4  
curly's Avatar
curly
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro NC
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

Mine leaked between the resevoir and the pump. I did feel up to rebuild?painting. A new one for $65. Changed high and low pressure hoses since it had to come half off anyway (about $20 each)

Too bad my rear bearings starting giving out 3 days after the PS. :smash:
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 01:32 PM
  #5  
Frankenvette's Avatar
Frankenvette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

I had leaks all over the place. New $10.00 powersteering pump rebuild kit (new seals) and have not had a leak since. There is a large o-ring seal between pump and reservoir. I put a little steering fluid on the seal before the install to make sure the pump slid back into the reservoir easily. I really like $10.00 projects.

Regards,

Jim
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 01:51 PM
  #6  
Eddie 70's Avatar
Eddie 70
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (Jim73)

I have the $10 kit for the pump and I also bought the kit for the ram. Has anyone tried the kit on the ram. And how does it work?
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 03:30 PM
  #7  
C3 Shark Tank's Avatar
C3 Shark Tank
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (Eddie 96)

Thanks guys! It's definately leaking between the resevoir and the pump at the bottom. I'll send off for a new seal kit as 10 bucks sounds much better than removing the billet pulley and since it's already off the car it shouldn't be (cross my fingers-knock on wood) too hard to fix. :cheers:
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 04:51 PM
  #8  
Frankenvette's Avatar
Frankenvette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,030
Likes: 17
From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (Eddie 96)

I used the ram rebuild kit. Just make sure the chrome ram itself is not corroded. The hardest part of the rebuild of the ram is the "C" shaped clip that holds the seals in one end. I used needle nose pliers, but what a pita. Still, no leaks after the rebuild :)

Regards,

Jim
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 04:57 PM
  #9  
Chris Fowler's Avatar
Chris Fowler
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 49,198
Likes: 0
From: All in!
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

I think I'm in the same boat. I've gotta get the area cleaned up so I can definitively identify the leak spot, though...
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 05:04 PM
  #10  
Don Schuette's Avatar
Don Schuette
Instructor
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Omaha NE
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (C3 Shark Tank)

If it's leaking between the reservoir where it meets the top of the pump, like mine did, you can take the outside casing into a radiator ship and they can throw another bead of solder? on the inside, not too expensive.

Don
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2002 | 08:28 PM
  #11  
gdh's Avatar
gdh
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,720
Likes: 106
From: Canada
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (Don Schuette)

Had the same problem with a leak between the reservoir and pump. Put in some power steering stop leak and so far it has held, but when it starts to leak again I will buy the rebuild kit.
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2002 | 03:08 PM
  #12  
C3 Shark Tank's Avatar
C3 Shark Tank
Thread Starter
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Default Re: ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed? (gdh)

WooHoo! Power Steering seal kit from Autozone $7.99 Just took about 20 minutes to take it apart, clean it up, put in new seals. Put in some fluid and no leaks so far. Life is good so far.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To ARG! PS pump leak-can it be fixed?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:45 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE