Whats going on members, I have posted this on and H-T, just looking for some more input

I have a power steering leak and it is boggeling my mind, the boot that goes at the end of the tie rod end and the steering gearbox on the passanger side seems to have some power steering fluid that drips from the bottom of the boot,

I have checked all the power steering hoses and the boot on the end the the tie rod end and there are no holes or rips on the boot and the steering gearbox has no wet fluid on it either, so I know my steering gearbox seems to be fine, I don't know where the leaks are coming from, I have spoke with several master honda techs and they say its very uncommon for the rack and pinion to go out on our cars, is that true, but i suppose any thing is possible.

any help would be appreciated

Thank you

 

There is a seal in the steering rack leaking - I don't think it's repairable on the car. Most mechanics will replace the rack with a rebuilt one. How many miles on your vehicle, and have you ever changed the PS fluid with anything other than the Honda fluid?

 

This seems pretty rare. I haven't heard of a PS leak here before, that I can remember anyway.

 

I am having a slow leak on my power steering feed hose. It's incredibly slow--I haven't even had to refill my fluid because of it. It's dripping onto my exhaust manifold (behind the crankcase), and down onto not the CV but what is, I guess, the axle boot. (Or, if those are the same thing, then it's dripping onto the boot that is not the CV boot.

Anyway, I cleaned it all up and have been watching it. The part is $180 at the least expensive online Honda parts dealer I could find. That's mighty expensive for a effin' hose. But whatev. I was at Pep Boys today buying spark plugs, the head mechanic dude handed me a bottle of Pennzoil PS fuid with leak sealer in it (I'd asked him about this PS leak issue). Knowing enough about Hondas by now (this is my third), I looked just below the product he'd handed me and found Gunk® brand Power Steering Fluid with Stop Leak & Conditioner. It says "For Honda & Acura Vehicles" on it.

I knew he was full of it when he told me it didn't matter that I have an Acura. Ugh, mechanics. But that's a whole other thread.

So I bought it and want to try it. I actually came across this post while trying to find out if anyone else has used this. If I find anything and/or end up using it on my TSX, I'll let ya know.

I do know that TLs, RLs, and a few versions of the Accord have either a technical service bulletin (TSB) or a recall for their power steering hoses. I have checked and checked, but the TSX part number doesn't match any of the part numbers of the vehicles with the recall/TSB. So apparently some Hondas have this issue.

I only drive 8k miles or less per year, so really, I don't know why the hell this is happening. Yes, my car is aging, but it's garaged, and frankly, it's one of the cleanest engines you've ever seen. So why a $200 hose is going out on me is a mystery. No salt on the roads here in Houston. Sheesh.

 

If the leak is that slow, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Just make sure to top up the fluid every few days to keep it at the appropriate level. Once you have the funds, fix it if you can find a fair labor rate to do so (independant mechanic!). That being said, if the PS Fluid w/ stop-leak works... great (at least for a while we'd hope!).

 

Yeah, I'm just worried about the stuff the fluid is leaking onto: the exhaust manifold, the boots, and what looks like the top of where the plug wires connect (well, they're some kind of wires, anyway, that it's dripping onto).

Today, while I did my very first ever (I'm in my 30s) DIY oil change (grrrrl power!), I went ahead and turkey-bastered (new verb!) out the old PS fluid and added the Gunk for H&As with stop leak. Took the TSX for a test drive, and when I opened the hood up afterward (10 min. drive), the fluid leak was a little more active (I purposely worked the steering wheel from side to side, to circulate the new fluid), and what was dripping onto the manifold was smoking. It still wasn't a lot of fluid--maybe an ounce, but I'm thinking I'm gonna have to get it replaced. Me = not happy.

On a side note: it looks like the "secret" in these leak-stop fluids is some sort of paraffin. Guess I could just shove a candle in there and call it a day, eh? :-D

 

I also have an 04 TSX and is having the PS leak issue.
About 6 months ago when I was getting an oil change, my mechanic found the leak from the rack&pinion, which was causing a very small leak. I didn't think it was serious, so I just filled it up with the Gunk PS Fluid for Hondas & Acuras, and I totally forgot about it. Last week, I was having a problems with the power steering, and the PS fluid was low. I took it to the dealership, thinking that it would be covered by my extended warranty, and was told that NO, it's not covered by the warranty and would cost me $2000 for replacing the effin rack!!! I'm sure I can fix it for a much cheaper price at a shop, but I'm thinking about trying out the Lucas PS Stop Leak before I replace it. Not sure if it is OK for Acuras, since our cars require a 'special' PS fluids only for Hondas/Acuras, so I'm waiting for an answer from Lucas to make sure it's OK.
As for the Gunk PS Fluids, since I lasted about 6 months with their fluids, seems like it's ok to use it.

 

Yeah, uh, they're skrewin' you. Call another stealership--that's what an extended warranty is for. Just make no mention of the use of non-Acura/Honda PS Fluid. The PS rack cannot possibly be considered a "maintenance item." It's a defective part that prematurely went bad. Acura Care should cover it. (I assume your extended warranty is Acura Care.)

 

Bump.

I have a leak on my 06 TSX. Actually two leaks.

One in the hose (expensive) and one in the PS pump (rebuildable).

I am under 70K on the car, so I am looking into whether this will be covered by the 6yr.70K power train warranty.

Anyone successfully use the 6/70 warranty to fix a PS leak?

 

Might want to check out the thread I just started regarding the just announced recall for leaking power steering hoses...

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-tsx-2004-2008-124/stop-sale-recall-04-08-tsxs-power-steering-hose-leak-773856/

 

Thanks! Posted.

 

it is on the recall NOW. call for appt and reserve a loaner car .

 

Most dealers probably do not have the kits to repair it yet. I think that is why acura is waiting until May 28th to send out the recall notices. They want to make sure dealers have the correct parts. I was informed by the acura dealer I go to-shipment of the parts for them will be May 11th.

 

Got mine replaced last week at the dealer. They gave a '10 tsx as a loaner car. Man that car is nice!!!

 

is this something my acura dealer should have since im trying to buy one from them right now?

 

I never got anything in the mail... Should I wait or just call and take it in?

 

Yes, just take it in. I would call first, but every dealer should have an ample amount of warranty replacement hoses in stock. Once your car is in the dealer it is required that they replace the faulty hose. AND if you've already had yours replaced under "customer pay" then talk to the dealer who did the work about getting a reimbursment.

 

Cool, Ijust split the bill 50/50 with Acura onthe repair last month, so I will now be asking for some of the 50% back (I also had a leak in the PS case).