Power steering fluid issues
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Power steering fluid issues
Hey Corvette Forum
just a question here... I am having some issues with my power steering fluid.
The other week I took my 85 out to a track day and it really ran well. No issues with overheating or anything. Only one issue, about 2 laps in, my car was billowing smoke. I didn't even notice until I was flagged to get off the track, it was all flying behind me.
After opening the hood I found out that my power steering fluid had shot out of the corners of the cap and leaked onto some hot parts, which burned the fluid off and made the smoke.
Ive replaced the power steering fluid and cleaned the engine bay up.
This was a pretty "bendy" course that had me constantly making sharp turns. What made the fluid leak out like this? Do you think it was over-filled before?
Let me know what you guys think!
just a question here... I am having some issues with my power steering fluid.
The other week I took my 85 out to a track day and it really ran well. No issues with overheating or anything. Only one issue, about 2 laps in, my car was billowing smoke. I didn't even notice until I was flagged to get off the track, it was all flying behind me.
After opening the hood I found out that my power steering fluid had shot out of the corners of the cap and leaked onto some hot parts, which burned the fluid off and made the smoke.
Ive replaced the power steering fluid and cleaned the engine bay up.
This was a pretty "bendy" course that had me constantly making sharp turns. What made the fluid leak out like this? Do you think it was over-filled before?
Let me know what you guys think!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
I would agree that it was probably overfilled and the cap did not seal all that well. If you refilled it to the correct level just keep an eye on it for a few days, everything should be fine.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
C4 PS is known to be problematic on the track. The earlier systems are notorious for fading and overheating.
If you plan to continue with "fun" driving, I suggest an investment in a race prepared PS unit.
Or you can waste time and money trying to modify the OEM pump.
Black flags are a waste of fun time and money.
If you plan to continue with "fun" driving, I suggest an investment in a race prepared PS unit.
Or you can waste time and money trying to modify the OEM pump.
Black flags are a waste of fun time and money.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Does sound like there was too much fluid. When I ran my '87 on track days, I removed fluid from the reservoir so that the stick on the cap showed the fluid level at the "ADD" point.
I did add a PS cooler and that helped a lot with fluid temps. IIRC, it was a Perma-Cool unit but I don't think they make a specific PS cooler any longer. It was a small two row unit and I mounted it in front of the front crossmember. I also used Red Line Synthetic PS Fluid and that fluid completely stopped all of the whining from the original pump when it got hot. I recall doing some track days where the air temp was 100 degrees and never had an issue.
I did add a PS cooler and that helped a lot with fluid temps. IIRC, it was a Perma-Cool unit but I don't think they make a specific PS cooler any longer. It was a small two row unit and I mounted it in front of the front crossmember. I also used Red Line Synthetic PS Fluid and that fluid completely stopped all of the whining from the original pump when it got hot. I recall doing some track days where the air temp was 100 degrees and never had an issue.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 38
Likes: 8
From: Davison Mi.
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