On Thursday I got a long overdue rear motor mount changed on my 06 TSX. Once done the car felt like a champ, drove super steady and really smooth. That was the only issue I was having that I knew about up to that point. Then the very next day I wake up to a car with almost no power steering fluid and power steering difficulties with the power steering pump sounding like it was bad. There was no leak before the work at all. So I filled it up with fluid to the top. By the next day all my fluid drained again and emptied completely and my power steering was gone and it was obviously super hard to steer now (power steering pump sound was gone because the system was completely dry). My question is this, could the mechanic have caused this or could it be that the excessive vibrating now no longer present would have caused this from before and it's just a coincidence as far as the timing. I really trust my mechanic and he always charges fair and have never had this type of issue before. Thing is the leak is coming from the rack and pinion boot that sits right below where the motor mount that was changed is. It appears the leak is in the middle of the boot and not at a joint or from a hose. How would I be able to tell if it was accidental, purposely or just a coincidence? Also if it's just a lack of power steering fluid, how long can I drive the car and what will happen if I have to keep driving it for a few weeks? I posted on TSX forums but nobody is helping there so i am posting where i see a lot of people, its more of a general question anyway.

 

Do the basics, check for unclamped hoses around that area.
Also I've noticed that a lot of oil change shops tend to top off the power steering fluid with Non Honda fluid and that can cause leaks. Try flushing out the old fluid and put the Honda stuff. You can use the Autozone brand but it has to say "FOR USE IN HONDA VEHICLES".

The pump will wear out shortly. I don't see a way for a mechanic to damage the rack seals unless they used the wrong fluid. It may just be a coincidence that its leaking now.
What fluid did you use to top it off ?

 

I used Honda (Dealer Fluid), on Sunday to fill again I had no choice and went with Autozone for the Honda only fluid since dealers are closed.

 

leaking ps fluid gets out a crack in the rubber boot
the actual leak has to be from the inner seal of steering rack or hose
Pull the boot edge back -beware dripping fluid- and inspect for area of loss

with a bad rear mount and may not be up on the ps fluid changes = very easy it was an existing problem

 

I don't remember, but are there any ps lines/hoses that could leak onto the rack boot and make it look like it's leaking? I've run into this before, not necessarily on honda/acura.

 

@01tl4tl so your suggestion is to move the boot and if the leak is inside the boot it is likely from a seal that was already going bad since it's unlikely that they would have gotten in there and accidentally broken an internal seal. So in a nutshell the boot does not hold fluid, if it has some, it's from a broken seal on parts that are within the boot. What about if it's leaking from the hose end, is that something they could have damaged while installing the mount or is that also likely just a coincidence?

My car had been vibrating a lot no doubt, In my mind it is conceivable that excessive vibrating could cause a seal to loosen and eventually leak and fail. Is that actually possible, the vibrations caused it? I don't want to accuse my mechanic. I want to go to him so we can both see and identify where the leak is. I also would like to be well informed of all possibilities, if he caused it somehow I don't want him to be able to bullshit me into believing that it already was a pre-existing condition. If it was fine, but if he caused it i want to be able to decipher that and push back at his flimsy arguments if he goes that route and tries to deflect blame (if he is to blame). Can you tell me what it would have taken for them to cause it to fail so that if I see that i can identify it?

Can I drive the car without power steering fluid, what will happen if I go weeks like this? Will the car lock up or flat out break and leave me stranded or is it just super hard steering to worry about? Thank you Señor 01tl4tl

 

I really need to drive the car, whats the worst that could happen if i drive without power steering fluid? Will something break and render the car useless and make it worst?

 

I was about to say remove the belt but just found out your car uses 1 belt for all accessories so like I said before your pump will wear out or seize.
Better to get it fixed asap.

 

driving it with a major ps leak will result in total failure of the pump in a very short time, and shortly after the steering rack itself will call it quits

So you wont just be stranded- you will be in the concrete K-wall on the side of freeway!!
Hopefully only your car was in the incident

yes the rubber boots are there for dust protection only- it does not contain fluid- on a good day
If you peel back the edge of boot and fluid comes out- there is a rack seal issue

you would not be the first to experience this problem

on a similar note: if the rubber boot on cv axle bearing at trans has fluid in it--its not there for cooling!!

any rubber boot that's torn can let IN road grit and grime- as well as letting all its lubrication out

 

there are metal pipes involved in the ps plumbing
Extra engine and trans BOUNCING with that (guessing long time broken) rear mount...
Not the least bit surprised to find that as the root cause of something broken in the line itself
Seen that one on here before too- broken metal pipe just off back of pump - or where the lines enter rack underneath car
Been a long time since I looked at anything under there- Its up to you to you to wash oil off and figure out source of leak
simple green or purple power cleaner to the rescue!!

After inspecting boots for internal holding of fluid and that's not the problem:
Approach your mechanic without accusation!!
a simple- `HI, I am experiencing a PS leak, and I need to tow the car to your shop- who do you use?
(often get better rate thru shop for tows)

enterprise gives a discount on rental car when your car is in the shop- they started years ago on that basic concept!

A good shop will show you the problem