zootjeff

I was about a mile from home and I noticed smoke coming from under the hood, pulled over and noticed power steering fluid near the back of the engine. Drove home about a mile and popped the hood. Smoke was coming up from behind the hood. Then I noticed a very brief flash of flame that was too quick to do anything other than scare the $&#@ out of me, I got the hose and did some light misting of water to prevent any further flash-off. Then I remember the TSB about the power steering fluid and the hose cracking that I never looked into. Anyone else have this problem? Is there a good way to abate the issue so I can drive 4 miles to the dealer?

Thanks, Jeff

eastcoastguy

Get it towed, a lot better than risking your car going up in flames! And I believe it was a recall not a TSB, but I could be wrong, not sure what years those affected.

thoiboi

Probably power steering fluid leaking onto the hot catalytic converter causing it to flare-up

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

There was a PS hose recall, so check VIN for any outstanding recalls:
Keeping You Safe Safercar National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

odd that the previous owners didnt do the recall for over 11 years

WOW!

zootjeff

does anybody have a link to the process needed to replace the hose called out in the recall I want to see how involved it is

thoiboi

take it to the dealer..? It's a recall.

zootjeff

I took it to the dealer this morning (towed it via AAA) they said replaced the hose due to the recall but it needs a new power steering pump and "that" is what is causing the steering oil leak onto the cat near the center of the vehicle.. I replaced the o-ring to the power steering pump about a year ago to fix the cold weather squeal.. They said that the pump is responsible for the leak and want $590 to replace it. They said they did the safety recall already and they did the wiper motor recall. Do you think the pump is really hitting the cat under the manifold or are they trying to re-coup the cost of the warranty repair? The power steering pump is near the top of the engine and really accessible. When the pump fails does it spew oil all the way to the cat near the center of the car? Does anyone know what hoses the safety recall covers? Is it both of the hoses to the pump?

-Jeff

thoiboi

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-p...-scans-841134/


You can rebuild it yourself if you're so inclined!

zootjeff

Do you think it is likely that the pump is sending oil all the way to the catalytic converter?

Looks like there are 4 flexible hoses.. Any idea if they are all covered in the safety recall?

Is it odd that they'd replace all the hoses as part of the recall, button it back up and then tell me the pump is bad?

thoiboi

I believe only the top hose is part of the recall. If it's the pump that's leaking then that rebuild will help. If it's another one of the other hoses, then that won't help much .. You gonna have to get in the weeds and look to see where the leak is coming from.

zootjeff

So get this, apparently they tried to con me into covering the cost of the recall..

Took my car to the dealer after the power steering hose sprung a leak due to a faulty hose that was addressed with a safety recall. I had been delinquent on getting it fixed so last weekend it started spewing fluid onto the catalytic converter causing smoke and mild fire. I took it to the dealer and they later called and said they did the safety recall hose update free of charge. Then they told me the leak was actually the power steering pump and the car was not drivable. After a 600$ quote I told them I wanted to do the pump myself. I ordered all the parts for the pump rebuild. Today I get the car and the paperwork and it makes no mention of the bad pump, and lots of mention of a leaky faulty hose. I get home and pop the hood and no leaky power-steering pump. I feel bad for the people the dealer must scam on a daily basis..

polobunny

Is your PS fluid foaming in your reservoir? If yes, you need to rebuild your pump.
If not, clean the outside of your reservoir really good, as well as the areas around the PS pump. Drive for a month, check if it gets dirty again, if there's any grime it's likely PS fluid misting so you still need to do the rebuild.

If not, then case closed.

zootjeff

I'll take a look to see if there's any foam, but I doubt it. My bigger concern is that the dealer lied to me about the car being on drivable and the source of leak that was causing the smoke and fire. I mean if they told me that the pumps nearing the end of its service life and the seals are likely to start leaking and you should probably replace it, that's one thing. Telling me the source of the leak that was causing the smoke and fire needs a $600 fix seems dishonest.

Majofo

OP, it's very dangerous for you to drive with a leaking HP power steering hose, glad you got it done. It's a PITA to DIY as well.
I do believe they were trying to swindle (upsell) you. If the pump was failing, you'd have heard it or felt it at a minimum.
I've had two pumps fail on me and neither leaked as the dealer indicated. The o-rings around the HP and lower inlet side do leak after a period of time.
Since they replaced the HP side, no worries on that one. You might want to check the inlet side though.. should cost you no more than $1 to get a new one if not included in reseal kit (orange), peace of mind.
Even if the pump looks clean, there could be a slow leak from the inlet side and they could have cleaned it up doing the recall.

I would follow-up with ACS if you're so inclined.
My first visit to the service shop, the service writer told me my brakes were so shot that I'd have to sign a waiver to release the car back to me.
I told them to f off and took the car without signing anything.
Bought pads and new brake fluid.. take the old pads out and what do you know.. plenty of life in all of them.
Anyways, ACS might have some recourse for you. If not, I'm sure they have a fb page.