Power Steering leak
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairland Oklahoma
Power Steering leak
I hate to post another thread about a power steering leak but I need some help here. I really suspect my cap is the source of the leak because the oil is all over my engine bay. It's on the underside of the hood from the belt slinging it everywhere and even drips from what looks like the underside of the passenger side. I smell the burning from the oil and I don't drive it too much yet because of the leak but I have to put more in every couple drives to town (about 10 miles one way) or I start to hear the "groaning" sound. Could the cap really leak that much?? If it wasn't the cap where could it be leaking that would cause it to be everywhere?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
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From: Fairland Oklahoma
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 239
From: Venice Cali.
I think my gasket was gone I just made the new one and if you have vent holes just poke a pin thru them.
I'll have to double check that.
BTW I used a misc sheet of gasket material I have laying around.
I'll have to double check that.
BTW I used a misc sheet of gasket material I have laying around.
Last edited by xrav22; Feb 15, 2014 at 02:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairland Oklahoma
Awesome! Thanks for the reply. I still have an orange gasket in mine but I'll see if I can fix another gasket on top of it and keep the vent holes cleared. I read about putting a hair band around the cap and that it would help but I can't imagine that would do me much good with how much I'm losing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 13
From: Wallingford Vermont
I can't see loosing that much fluid from a reservoir cap. I suggest some degreaser and a close inspection. There's a lot of pressure, in those lines, and a small leak can make quite a spray.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I've had a P.S. hose fail at the track, and the pump pushed enough oil through the hose fitting that within 20 seconds the smoke pouring out from the hood caused me to think the engine was on fire (people behind me told me that the majority of the smoke seemed to be coming out from under the car.) The steering feel got real weird a second or two before I saw the smoke, but, I got the car off the track safely. When I got the hood open there was fluid everywhere - so believe that even a small leak in one of the hoses can get fluid sprayed around the engine compartment.
My suggestion would be try replacing the cap gasket - then to wipe the reservoir with cleaner as best as you can - fill the reservoir to just below full, replace the cap, and then wrap a rag around the cap. Tie wrap the rag into place as beat as possible, and see if this extra "restriction" impacts the leakage rate. If the leakage rate drops - the cap is the likely culprit. If not - you're going to have to dig deeper.
GOOD LUCK !!!
My suggestion would be try replacing the cap gasket - then to wipe the reservoir with cleaner as best as you can - fill the reservoir to just below full, replace the cap, and then wrap a rag around the cap. Tie wrap the rag into place as beat as possible, and see if this extra "restriction" impacts the leakage rate. If the leakage rate drops - the cap is the likely culprit. If not - you're going to have to dig deeper.
GOOD LUCK !!!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,381
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From: SF bay area C.A.
C4 of the Year Finalist
Sorry but it sounds like the high pressure hose from the pump. Like yours I had a small leak from the cap but when its the hose the fluid is everywhere under the hood. I tried the o ring first because the line looked good, well no way, even though it looked good at the pump connection it must of flared out. Save yourself the extra time and just replace the hose. Harbor freight has a puller for the p/s pulley and it's cheap. Btw mine happen at an autox and it's lucky the starter was awake and saw it leaking or I could of cost the drivers some time on a cleanup. Good luck.
Last edited by kimmer; Feb 16, 2014 at 07:42 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairland Oklahoma
I guess I better start inspecting the hoses then. I got set back a bit because yesterday I took it for a cruise and when I got back in the driveway my lower radiator hose blew on me. radiator hose should be on tomorrow so while I have the belt off I'll start on the p/s hoses. Do I really need the puller?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
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From: Fairland Oklahoma
Well I was able to replace my lower radiator hose earlier today. I don't know how I did it but I was able to r&r the hose without removing anything. Course I did bruise my arms and hands up quite a bit in the process lol. Now on to the p/s... I had my brother turn the wheel while I inspected the hoses and as I began tracing the line from the reservoir I seen a nice stream of p/s fluid almost right in front of my face! Guess I'll be getting a new one and start to r&r that hose. Seems like I'm replacing hose after hose lately.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairland Oklahoma
Finally got that power steering hose replaced! Only thing I had to remove was the alternator to make room to get a flare crows foot in there to break that fitting loose. Time consuming but wasn't too bad. Glad it's over! Time to move on to weather strip and heater core... I may just let my heater core sit on the shelf for a while longer. It's almost spring time anyway right??
