Power Steering Pump Problems
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 23
From: Prescott AZ
Power Steering Pump Problems
The power steering pump on my 1970 vette has started to burp fluid out the cap. At idle, it is fine but when I bring up the rpms to say 1500, it will spray fluid out the cap. Is this a problem with the pump? Some sort of blockage? Is there a bypass valve that should be opening? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 111
From: Saginaw Michigan
There a couple of possibilities:
1. The pump starts spewing fluid out of the reservoir from the pump reservoir being overfilled. The fluid expands with temperature and the fluid come out the reservoir.
2. Another reason is that air is getting mixed with the oil and the resulting foamy mixture expands and comes out the reservoir. Air gets into the system because the pump, hoses, and or the assist cylinder have been replaced or serviced so that air is trapped inside one of the components. When the engine is started large air bubbles pass through the pump and the air gets whipped to a froth.
3. The last possibility is that a low pressure connection (return line from valve to pump reservoir spout) is loose or the pump driveshaft seal has worn out and air is being sucked into the system as the power steering pump circulates fluid. Yes, it is possible for a lower pressure connection (i.e. hose clamp, nut connection at the control valve) or the pump driveshaft seal to suck air into the system yet be secure enough that oil may not leak out.
Jim
1. The pump starts spewing fluid out of the reservoir from the pump reservoir being overfilled. The fluid expands with temperature and the fluid come out the reservoir.
2. Another reason is that air is getting mixed with the oil and the resulting foamy mixture expands and comes out the reservoir. Air gets into the system because the pump, hoses, and or the assist cylinder have been replaced or serviced so that air is trapped inside one of the components. When the engine is started large air bubbles pass through the pump and the air gets whipped to a froth.
3. The last possibility is that a low pressure connection (return line from valve to pump reservoir spout) is loose or the pump driveshaft seal has worn out and air is being sucked into the system as the power steering pump circulates fluid. Yes, it is possible for a lower pressure connection (i.e. hose clamp, nut connection at the control valve) or the pump driveshaft seal to suck air into the system yet be secure enough that oil may not leak out.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jan 21, 2011 at 06:51 AM.
