What is this leaking?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
What is this leaking?
Just got my 72. Drove it home about 7 hours so no surprise that SOMETHING would leak. On the driver side, under the hood, looks like a steering box maybe? I see what looks like oil and I've got like 4 drips on the floor. Looks like fresh oil. If you are standing on the driver side with the hood up, it's across from the dipstick, slightly forward. Seems like steering component or something?
I'd post a picture here but not sure how to do it.
I'd post a picture here but not sure how to do it.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
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From: Huntersville NC
How do you figure p/s leak? Doesn't it look like the steering box itself is leaking? My wild guess would be someone put gear oil or even engine oil in the box instead of grease. (I did it myself!! 
but my box didn't leak)
but my box didn't leak)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Just got my 72. Drove it home about 7 hours so no surprise that SOMETHING would leak. On the driver side, under the hood, looks like a steering box maybe? I see what looks like oil and I've got like 4 drips on the floor. Looks like fresh oil. If you are standing on the driver side with the hood up, it's across from the dipstick, slightly forward. Seems like steering component or something?
I'd post a picture here but not sure how to do it.
I'd post a picture here but not sure how to do it.
To me it looks like the pitman arm seal is leaking. If your handy you can replace all the seals and rebuild the whole steering box yourself. If it is the pitman seal you can change just the seal with the box in the car or just top it up with the correct grease.
Pete.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
Do not be discourged, you have a very nice car. It is 38 years old and these things will happen.
Others here are giving good advice and this should not cost too much.
When a car sits for long periods of time seals and gaskets can suffer.
Just do 1 job at a time and ask for help as you go.
Just know , nothing compares to removing / cleaning / repairing re painting and re installing a part to give a sharp eye catching look.
Your new car deserves no less based on its excellent look.
Welcome to the forum and to the steel bumper C3 group.
Regards
David
Others here are giving good advice and this should not cost too much.
When a car sits for long periods of time seals and gaskets can suffer.
Just do 1 job at a time and ask for help as you go.
Just know , nothing compares to removing / cleaning / repairing re painting and re installing a part to give a sharp eye catching look.
Your new car deserves no less based on its excellent look.
Welcome to the forum and to the steel bumper C3 group.
Regards
David
Last edited by dmayhew; Aug 1, 2010 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
thanks.. takes alot more than a few leaks and bad wiring to dampen my enthusiasm. Ran out of room with my other hobby-- repairing pinball machines. I've traced more miles of wire and bulbs in those games so this 72 should be a refreshing change.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
As the car is completely new to you, I would suggest clean up that area with some degreaser and run it for a while then see if you have any leaks. Just keep an eye on the fluid levels. Dont drive too far between checks.
That could simply be oil that was poured on there sloppily during a missed top off of the power steering pump. The bolts on the sector cover of the steering box do not seem to have been disturbed so I don't think oil was added to the box (the box uses specail grease either way not oil it does not come into contact with power steering fluid normally).
Most likely its leaking from the head of the power steering assist is my guess if its a real leak. Thats attaches right to the pitman arm. You may have been turning the steering lock to lock and hanging on the power steering pump and it puked some oil from questionable seals or hoses.
That could simply be oil that was poured on there sloppily during a missed top off of the power steering pump. The bolts on the sector cover of the steering box do not seem to have been disturbed so I don't think oil was added to the box (the box uses specail grease either way not oil it does not come into contact with power steering fluid normally).
Most likely its leaking from the head of the power steering assist is my guess if its a real leak. Thats attaches right to the pitman arm. You may have been turning the steering lock to lock and hanging on the power steering pump and it puked some oil from questionable seals or hoses.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Power steering oil is clear. That appears to be gear grease [or oil, as mentioned above] from the steering box. If gear grease...like it should be, the puddle will turn gooey like bearing grease; if gear oil, it will stay a thick liquid.
If someone put gear oil in the box, you might be able to suck it back out by removing the outer two bolts on the top plate and inserting a hose. Get out what you can and put gear grease back in its place. Leave some air space for expansion and bolt it back up.
My guess is that the seal is worn enough to leak with thick oil. It may or may not leak with grease. If it does, it's time for a steering box rebuild and/or a seal change.
If someone put gear oil in the box, you might be able to suck it back out by removing the outer two bolts on the top plate and inserting a hose. Get out what you can and put gear grease back in its place. Leave some air space for expansion and bolt it back up.
My guess is that the seal is worn enough to leak with thick oil. It may or may not leak with grease. If it does, it's time for a steering box rebuild and/or a seal change.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 810
Likes: 48
From: West Chester Pennsylvania
actually found the problem. on the passenger side front turn signal, there is a green wire not connected to anything. grounded it to one of the light socket metal things and it works fine. Not sure where the Green should be properly seated though.
Now, with high beams on, driver low beam goes off. Need to figure that mess out next.
Now, with high beams on, driver low beam goes off. Need to figure that mess out next.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: WI