power steering (?) fluid leak
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 4
From: East Wenatchee (2hours from n e where) WA
power steering (?) fluid leak
I need some ideas to help figure out a fluid leak. After a 140 mile highway drive there is a ounce or two of fluid on the inside of the hood, right over the power steering reservoir. Not a lot on the front of the engine. The level is about 1/4" above the low mark when cold. I have made this run several times in the last few weeks with out a prob. any ideas? Is there supposed to be a gasket under the ps cap?
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
There is an O-ring that likes to fall off when the cap is removed and lifted away.
There is also a vent hole in the cap. When the pump starts to fail, cavitating and causing the oil to foam it will blow out of the vent hole in the cap.
There is also a vent hole in the cap. When the pump starts to fail, cavitating and causing the oil to foam it will blow out of the vent hole in the cap.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
when it does foam and fill the resevoir to overflow with bubbles...shut it off, and sit still for 5 min and it will settle down. Then you can drive it and all will be normal once its warm and the bubbles have gone.
Get some LUCA PS rack conditioner and add half the bottle. That will buy some time....maybe pickup a O-ring too.
Get some LUCA PS rack conditioner and add half the bottle. That will buy some time....maybe pickup a O-ring too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
The best method is with UV leak dye. They make dyes for coolant or oils. Simply pour it into the suspect fluid (in this case the steering fluid). Then later you put on a pair of yellow glasses from the kit and go looking for the leak with a UV light. The leak will glow under the UV light.
This method is highly accurate. Your can purchase these kits at some local parts stores along with the dye. They aren't that expensive. I've seem some for under $20 and the dye runs about $8 for a 1 oz pour which is all you need. It takes all the guesswork out of it. No guessing or trying to wipe everything down to see where the leak is.
This method is highly accurate. Your can purchase these kits at some local parts stores along with the dye. They aren't that expensive. I've seem some for under $20 and the dye runs about $8 for a 1 oz pour which is all you need. It takes all the guesswork out of it. No guessing or trying to wipe everything down to see where the leak is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
Are you sure its PS fluid? Usually when the waterpump starts to leak out the weephole, it drips on the belt slinging it on the hood. Most of the ps leaks I've seen were at the high pressure fitting on the pump. The line gets a hairline crack at the fitting.
