C3 Power steering fluid heavy leak
03-30-2017, 01:12 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
C3 Power steering fluid heavy leak
The car is a '72 big block, with a manual transmission. In 2014, I replaced the pump, control valve, and the 4 hydraulic lines that connect the pump to the control valve and the control valve to the cylinder. The system has dripped a little fluid since then, but nothing major (just annoying).
Last week, I noticed that the drops of fluid had been replaced by a large puddle on the floor. As a test, I topped off the reservoir and took it for a test drive. Within 10 minutes, I could feel the telltale signs of fluid loss. After it cooled down, I took the cap off the reservoir, and it was almost empty. The back of the pump looks clean and dry, as do the high pressure and return lines. Underneath though, it's a complete mess. There's fluid all over the control valve, and my new lower control arms just got some added rust protection. Kinda has a "sprayed" look. I ran out of time last night, so in an effort to diagnose the problem, ...
1. Will a control valve fail so badly that it leaks all the fluid (under pressure) in 10-15 minutes?
2. Is it more likely a failed hydraulic hose? If so, the pressure hose, return hose, or one of the left/right hoses?
3. Of those 4 hoses, is there a specific hose that is notorious for failure? I ask because I'd like to keep a spare on hand, and I wouldn't need to buy the entire hose kit ($12 vs $70).
Last week, I noticed that the drops of fluid had been replaced by a large puddle on the floor. As a test, I topped off the reservoir and took it for a test drive. Within 10 minutes, I could feel the telltale signs of fluid loss. After it cooled down, I took the cap off the reservoir, and it was almost empty. The back of the pump looks clean and dry, as do the high pressure and return lines. Underneath though, it's a complete mess. There's fluid all over the control valve, and my new lower control arms just got some added rust protection. Kinda has a "sprayed" look. I ran out of time last night, so in an effort to diagnose the problem, ...
1. Will a control valve fail so badly that it leaks all the fluid (under pressure) in 10-15 minutes?
2. Is it more likely a failed hydraulic hose? If so, the pressure hose, return hose, or one of the left/right hoses?
3. Of those 4 hoses, is there a specific hose that is notorious for failure? I ask because I'd like to keep a spare on hand, and I wouldn't need to buy the entire hose kit ($12 vs $70).
03-30-2017, 01:22 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
The car is a '72 big block, with a manual transmission. In 2014, I replaced the pump, control valve, and the 4 hydraulic lines that connect the pump to the control valve and the control valve to the cylinder. The system has dripped a little fluid since then, but nothing major (just annoying).
Last week, I noticed that the drops of fluid had been replaced by a large puddle on the floor. As a test, I topped off the reservoir and took it for a test drive. Within 10 minutes, I could feel the telltale signs of fluid loss. After it cooled down, I took the cap off the reservoir, and it was almost empty. The back of the pump looks clean and dry, as do the high pressure and return lines. Underneath though, it's a complete mess. There's fluid all over the control valve, and my new lower control arms just got some added rust protection. Kinda has a "sprayed" look. I ran out of time last night, so in an effort to diagnose the problem, ...
1. Will a control valve fail so badly that it leaks all the fluid (under pressure) in 10-15 minutes?
2. Is it more likely a failed hydraulic hose? If so, the pressure hose, return hose, or one of the left/right hoses?
3. Of those 4 hoses, is there a specific hose that is notorious for failure? I ask because I'd like to keep a spare on hand, and I wouldn't need to buy the entire hose kit ($12 vs $70).
Last week, I noticed that the drops of fluid had been replaced by a large puddle on the floor. As a test, I topped off the reservoir and took it for a test drive. Within 10 minutes, I could feel the telltale signs of fluid loss. After it cooled down, I took the cap off the reservoir, and it was almost empty. The back of the pump looks clean and dry, as do the high pressure and return lines. Underneath though, it's a complete mess. There's fluid all over the control valve, and my new lower control arms just got some added rust protection. Kinda has a "sprayed" look. I ran out of time last night, so in an effort to diagnose the problem, ...
1. Will a control valve fail so badly that it leaks all the fluid (under pressure) in 10-15 minutes?
2. Is it more likely a failed hydraulic hose? If so, the pressure hose, return hose, or one of the left/right hoses?
3. Of those 4 hoses, is there a specific hose that is notorious for failure? I ask because I'd like to keep a spare on hand, and I wouldn't need to buy the entire hose kit ($12 vs $70).
03-30-2017, 09:00 PM
#3
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2006
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Marc-
The first thing I'd do is try to isolate the leak.
About 1 in 1000 times when we rebuild a valve here we can cut the main seal when putting the two halves together. When this happens the valve will leak. So anything in the valve is possible
But before you tear something apart... sometimes the hoses don't seat in the valve when you tighten them up... so what we like to do here is tighten them down, then back them off a 1/2 turn, then tighten them again. I'd do this at the cylinder and the valve.
I'd also make sure the return line clamp is tight.
-Willcox
The first thing I'd do is try to isolate the leak.
About 1 in 1000 times when we rebuild a valve here we can cut the main seal when putting the two halves together. When this happens the valve will leak. So anything in the valve is possible
But before you tear something apart... sometimes the hoses don't seat in the valve when you tighten them up... so what we like to do here is tighten them down, then back them off a 1/2 turn, then tighten them again. I'd do this at the cylinder and the valve.
I'd also make sure the return line clamp is tight.
-Willcox
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marc9889 (03-31-2017)
03-31-2017, 09:24 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
It was the control valve! It cleaned everything with hot soapy water in a spray bottle, then added just a little bit of fluid to the reservoir. Even with the engine not running, I was getting a steady drip from the bottom of the valve. I broke out the pickle fork and had it removed in about 40 minutes. Advance Auto Parts is sending me a new one under warranty, so this repair shouldn't cost me much. Hope the new valve lasts longer.
04-01-2017, 08:53 AM
#5
It was the control valve! It cleaned everything with hot soapy water in a spray bottle, then added just a little bit of fluid to the reservoir. Even with the engine not running, I was getting a steady drip from the bottom of the valve. I broke out the pickle fork and had it removed in about 40 minutes. Advance Auto Parts is sending me a new one under warranty, so this repair shouldn't cost me much. Hope the new valve lasts longer.