When it rains, it pours, right?
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
From: DFW
When it rains, it pours, right?
Power steering has been doing some whining and been a bit stiff (not the normal kind of stiffness these tend to exhibit) every now and then until a few days ago there was no power steering at all. Checked the reservoir and it was empty. Filled it up and two days later its almost empty again. The weird thing about it is that I really haven’t seen any puddles under the car, so I’m wondering where the hell did it all go...?
There was bubbling in the reservoir, so I got both o-rings today from the dealer. Will change those in the coming days once the weather decides to cooperate again. Not fun to work outside when it’s high-30s to low-40s. And need to figure out if there’s a leak somewhere. Are there certain spots where these are prone to leak I should look for?
The also today I decided to see if the AC is working and hit the button while driving. Nothing dramatic at first and it seemed to be cooling the air. Just somewhat noticeable engagement of the compressor clutch. Then it did a couple of quick squeaks at some point, but nothing major again. When I got home, I decided to look under the hood and lo and behold! There’s this black goo all over the place! I guess the compressor decided to spit its guts out. The compressor still turns and the clutch is engaged, but the air really isn’t cooling well. Uggghhh......
So yeah, when it rains, it pours...
Even though there hasn’t been any actual rain here in a few days.
There was bubbling in the reservoir, so I got both o-rings today from the dealer. Will change those in the coming days once the weather decides to cooperate again. Not fun to work outside when it’s high-30s to low-40s. And need to figure out if there’s a leak somewhere. Are there certain spots where these are prone to leak I should look for?
The also today I decided to see if the AC is working and hit the button while driving. Nothing dramatic at first and it seemed to be cooling the air. Just somewhat noticeable engagement of the compressor clutch. Then it did a couple of quick squeaks at some point, but nothing major again. When I got home, I decided to look under the hood and lo and behold! There’s this black goo all over the place! I guess the compressor decided to spit its guts out. The compressor still turns and the clutch is engaged, but the air really isn’t cooling well. Uggghhh......
So yeah, when it rains, it pours...
Even though there hasn’t been any actual rain here in a few days. 
Suzuka Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,533
Likes: 959
Power steering has been doing some whining and been a bit stiff (not the normal kind of stiffness these tend to exhibit) every now and then until a few days ago there was no power steering at all. Checked the reservoir and it was empty. Filled it up and two days later its almost empty again. The weird thing about it is that I really haven’t seen any puddles under the car, so I’m wondering where the hell did it all go...?
There was bubbling in the reservoir, so I got both o-rings today from the dealer. Will change those in the coming days once the weather decides to cooperate again. Not fun to work outside when it’s high-30s to low-40s. And need to figure out if there’s a leak somewhere. Are there certain spots where these are prone to leak I should look for?
The also today I decided to see if the AC is working and hit the button while driving. Nothing dramatic at first and it seemed to be cooling the air. Just somewhat noticeable engagement of the compressor clutch. Then it did a couple of quick squeaks at some point, but nothing major again. When I got home, I decided to look under the hood and lo and behold! There’s this black goo all over the place! I guess the compressor decided to spit its guts out. The compressor still turns and the clutch is engaged, but the air really isn’t cooling well. Uggghhh......
So yeah, when it rains, it pours... Even though there hasn’t been any actual rain here in a few days.
There was bubbling in the reservoir, so I got both o-rings today from the dealer. Will change those in the coming days once the weather decides to cooperate again. Not fun to work outside when it’s high-30s to low-40s. And need to figure out if there’s a leak somewhere. Are there certain spots where these are prone to leak I should look for?
The also today I decided to see if the AC is working and hit the button while driving. Nothing dramatic at first and it seemed to be cooling the air. Just somewhat noticeable engagement of the compressor clutch. Then it did a couple of quick squeaks at some point, but nothing major again. When I got home, I decided to look under the hood and lo and behold! There’s this black goo all over the place! I guess the compressor decided to spit its guts out. The compressor still turns and the clutch is engaged, but the air really isn’t cooling well. Uggghhh......
So yeah, when it rains, it pours...
Even though there hasn’t been any actual rain here in a few days.Hey it could be minus 40 like it is is here so don’t complain lmao!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Finally the weather is warm enough to do stuff outside. 
Took a look under the car on the passenger side where it’s leaking the PS fluid and I’m afraid it’s not too good news... Passenger side boot is ripped and I’m pretty sure that’s where the fluid is coming from.
I looked at the pressure hose as well as I could from top and bottom, and I didn’t see any obvious spots on it where it would be leaking. I know the hose is pretty common failure point, but where exactly is it usually leaking when it fails?
Not really looking to spend a freaking grand on replacing the rack. Seems like a major PITA to do without a lift, so DIY isn’t probably too feasible.
There also seems to be a seal kit for the rack, but haven’t really found any info about anybody actually using it. I was thinking about the possibility of just changing the boot and the passenger side seal, but not sure if that also requires rack removal, in which case you might as well replace the whole thing.
Took a look under the car on the passenger side where it’s leaking the PS fluid and I’m afraid it’s not too good news... Passenger side boot is ripped and I’m pretty sure that’s where the fluid is coming from.
I looked at the pressure hose as well as I could from top and bottom, and I didn’t see any obvious spots on it where it would be leaking. I know the hose is pretty common failure point, but where exactly is it usually leaking when it fails?Not really looking to spend a freaking grand on replacing the rack. Seems like a major PITA to do without a lift, so DIY isn’t probably too feasible.
There also seems to be a seal kit for the rack, but haven’t really found any info about anybody actually using it. I was thinking about the possibility of just changing the boot and the passenger side seal, but not sure if that also requires rack removal, in which case you might as well replace the whole thing.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 28
Likes: 4
From: DFW
Changed the boot today and so far so good. Pretty sure it is the rack that’s leaking, but that’ll have to do for now.
Boot was about 10 bucks from dealer and stainless steel worm clamp $1.29 from Ace Hardware. Didn’t feel like driving 25-30 miles to Acura dealer, so went to local Honda dealer a couple of miles from my house.
Boot was about 10 bucks from dealer and stainless steel worm clamp $1.29 from Ace Hardware. Didn’t feel like driving 25-30 miles to Acura dealer, so went to local Honda dealer a couple of miles from my house.
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