Sporadically leaking PS contol valve
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
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From: Arvada CO
Sporadically leaking PS contol valve
I rebuilt my contol valve about six months ago. It did not leak for about three months. Then one day, after not driving for about a week, there was a BIG puddle of power steering fluid under the Vette. 
I filled it back up and drive it up to the office. Parked for all day and not a drop under the car after work. Parked in garage at home and not a drop that night. Did not leak for weeks. Then one day, another BIG puddle. It won't leak and then it lets it all go!
Any thoughts on why it might do that? I know these things are prone to leaking, I just can't figure out why it is sporadic and massive.
I am in the middle of my rebuild and I don't have budget for a rack and pinion or Borgsen etc. Maybe at a later date.
Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Brad
I filled it back up and drive it up to the office. Parked for all day and not a drop under the car after work. Parked in garage at home and not a drop that night. Did not leak for weeks. Then one day, another BIG puddle. It won't leak and then it lets it all go! Any thoughts on why it might do that? I know these things are prone to leaking, I just can't figure out why it is sporadic and massive.
I am in the middle of my rebuild and I don't have budget for a rack and pinion or Borgsen etc. Maybe at a later date.
Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Brad
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 41
From: Arvada CO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 581
From: West Monroe Louisiana
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The very same thing happen to mine. My control valve is the original, but
my vette had set for 20+ years. After I restored everything except the
control valve, it leaked a big puddle after I started driving again one
day. I refilled the pump and nothing happened again until about 2 weeks.
Then another puddle under the valve. I then filled the pump with
Prestone Power Steering fluid with stop leak-plus. It hasn't leaked again
now for about 7 months.
Just my experience.
Donnie
my vette had set for 20+ years. After I restored everything except the
control valve, it leaked a big puddle after I started driving again one
day. I refilled the pump and nothing happened again until about 2 weeks.
Then another puddle under the valve. I then filled the pump with
Prestone Power Steering fluid with stop leak-plus. It hasn't leaked again
now for about 7 months.
Just my experience.
Donnie
Last edited by DonnieP73; Feb 18, 2016 at 12:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 136
Likes: 41
From: Arvada CO
MelWff - Good thought. I did look up above the valve and it did not appear like it was coming from above, but I admit I did not investigate fully. The pump is new and based on the all of the leaking valves, I went with that. I will look at the pump in more detail tonight.
Donnie, good idea. I may go that route. Is there any "side affects" from using that stuff?
Cheers
Brad
Donnie, good idea. I may go that route. Is there any "side affects" from using that stuff?
Cheers
Brad
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 581
From: West Monroe Louisiana
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
This worked on mine, but as I said, mine had set up for over 20 years and
I though that the additive would help the seals. Yours is new, so that wouldn't be the reason.
To answer your question, I haven't seen any negative effect on mine.
I don't normally use or suggest additives, but this worked for me.
This is my experience, others may have different or better suggestions.
Donnie
I though that the additive would help the seals. Yours is new, so that wouldn't be the reason.
To answer your question, I haven't seen any negative effect on mine.
I don't normally use or suggest additives, but this worked for me.
This is my experience, others may have different or better suggestions.
Donnie
