emaka9

iTrader: (3)

So my power steering has been leaking for a while and I have been ignoring it because of bigger things I have to take care of. I have just been buying refills and filling it up whenever it got low. Today I got some power steering fluid and popped the hood, and the PS fluid was everywhere! It looks like its coming directly out of the fluid reservoir. Right out of the top? Anybody have any ideas? I thought it was a hose until today. So i filled it up and it all leaked out by the time I got home! It is very bad now. Any help would be appreciated

fsttyms1

With it topped off and hood open start the car and see where its leaking from. Have someone turn the wheel lock to lock and look for the leaking. Once you pinpoint it we can better help you.

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

thnx good idea haha. idk why i didnt think of that.

01tl4tl

high pressure hose is first suspect

pwehmeier

check the o-ring that attaches to the end of the feed hose too. If it's not intact, fluid can go all over

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

thanks a lot guys. will check first thing tomorrow.

01tl4tl

I was thinking oring until the amount of fluid it is losing, and the fact another ziner needed a high side ps hose last week--these things tend to run in series:
When I was a tech, several cars would come in the shop with the same problem for a week or two,,then a different prob for most of next weeks!
example: a bunch of master cyls, then maybe head gasket week, then bad gas problems..
It was weird

BUT
we can hope this is a minor oring sealing issue!!

totaledTL

Did you actually fill it up, or just to the correct level?

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

thnx you guys i got extremely busy so i havent had an opportunity to check it out but to totaledtl ya i put too much. I filled up to about half an inch above the max level. That could be why it came out of the top, but why did it all come out, as to just whatever was over.

totaledTL

Did you do what was suggested in post #2 yet?

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

sorry guys i have been busy i cant seem to find the time to work on my car :/ i will be getting to it soon. Thanks for your help.

soria

You're right. Ive even noticed that trend just by reading these forums.

I also have a P/S leak. It looks like its the pressure hose. Part# 53713-S0K-A04. About $100 for a new one. I'm not sure if i should tackle it myself. I may ask the local shop for a quote.

01tl4tl

if you can reach the bolts you can do the job~
Its simple to bleed the system after hose install

TIP: place cardboard under front wheels to reduce surface friction

soria

Should I drain the old fluid before or after installing the new hose?

Jhaas07

I have the exact same problem that I'm going to try and get fixed when I get my tax refund.

01tl4tl

pump out the old fluid via the return line to res bottle, with engine running at idle as you turn the wheels back and forth lock to lock to purge the full system
It wont hurt anything to run with no load and no fluid for a few seconds- per acura method

any fluid would end up all over the place if you dont pump it out first

soria

Thanks.

My parts will get here on Tuesday from AcuraAutomotiveParts.org. I should get it done sometime this week.

Is anyone else doing this? I've seen a lot of power steering threads lately. lol

01tl4tl

problems seem to run in groups at a time,,batteries, alternator failures, ps pumps,,,,
In shops its like that all the time, cycles of problems-
when you can figure out whats next and have parts in stock- thats a smart shop

soria - pls leave the type the regular size,,larger is kind of blaring,,unless you need it to see when writing,,thank you

01tl4tl

the tension on the ps belt is critical- its often set too tight,, with pump bearing failure soon after
There is a measured slack spec for it

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

IM BACK GUYS! i know you missed me i have decided to get a new pump. i am replacing right now. how much ps fluid does it take after draining? i have 2 quarts im not sure if thats enough though. anyways, i will drain it first and replace the pump and get back to you guys. if anybody knows that fluid amount needed, i would appreciate it

acutee

Total drain, you need 1.16 qt, so 2qts is good. reservoir is .42qt

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

alright thanks a lot. anybody want to give me any tips on changing my ps pump? any shortcuts or warnings? diy threads?

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Yea I can help you out. Give me a minute.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQJIyg18e8c

There you go.

acutee

Here is the tip for you. Trust me, if i were the mechanics the pump will be shot in a few weeks, either they lack of skills or careless about your car. If it didn't break out the door, they're off the hook; now it is your probl. not theirs. Come back for pump warranty exchange, and they will charge you labor.

Re-Install:
1. Don't leave the bottom bolt too loose, it must be slightly tight that you can adjust the pump by hand. If it was too loose, you cant predict the tension when the bolt is tightened.

2. Never use the tension bolt to put tension on the belt. Tighten the bolt under the ps pump will put tension on the belt itself.

3.If doing so didn't give it enuf tension on the belt, use your hand and pull up the pump.

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

wow man thanks a lot!

ok so i changed out the new o rings and put the new pump on, only to find that the threads for the pulley on the new pump are F*(^&*(^cked up. so i put the old pump back on with the new o rings. so we will see if im still leaking. ill let you know tonight if i have issues or not.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Make sure to change the O-rings between the pulley and the pump. It requires a LOT of torque to get that loose. It's probably best to loosen the pulley while it's still on the car. Stick a screwdriver in one of the pulley holes so it doesn't turn.

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

ya the pulley bolt was a little annoying, but I got it non-the-less. so...im still leaking its coming from underneath, not up top. SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

It's coming from underneath the PS pump, or on the bottom side of the car? If it's coming from a hose located under the engine, I think you will need some professional help.

My hose connected to the top of the PS pump was replaced, and it took my mechanic many hours. And that's probably the easiest hose to replace =[

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

Btw, I know how you feel. I changed my O-rings, and my pump still whined and took in air. Then I changed my entire pump and changed the fluid. It still made noise and I felt like shit, until I added a little more ps fluid which fixed it.

You'll get it eventually

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

ya it's leaking from under the car. at the power steering unit? it's coming directly out of the top of it. it is located at the bottom of the car. It's connected to the rack and pinion. Either way, it's going to be a huge pain :| that thing has so many hoses connected :| and it's connected to the rack and pinion.

Karanx7

iTrader: (2)

I don't think anyone else has had that problem, so there might not be too much help available. Your best bet will probably be a professional mechanic. It will most probably be expensive, so you might wanna find exactly where it's leaking by yourself. That way, you can just buy the replacement part, and have someone replace it.

Park your car over some cardboard/paper, and pinpoint the leak. Trace the leak back to the part. It should have some burnt PS fluid around the leak. If it's a big leak, you'll need to replace it. If it's a really small area, you can try using Stop Leak.

Stop Leak isn't the most ideal stuff, but if it can work, you'll save hundreds.

01tl4tl

is it leaking from a rack seal? ckd the boots on the ends- lift edge and if fluid comes out--bad news

how did the old fluid look-- crudded-black?

of course the lines hook to the rack!! power steering assist--steering rack~ hydraulic fluids...

emaka9

iTrader: (3)

no it is not coming from the actual rack or the boots. it is coming from the steering unit boot. where the steering wheel is actually coming down to and connects to the rack. it is a small leak and it is leaking my new fluid :| yes i know i am stating the obvious, but I am trying to describe it as best as I can so I can get some good help.

Andrea5461

I have a 2000 Acura 3.2TL. Also leaking power steering fluid. I have to fill it 2 sometimes 2 or 3 times a week. Could it be oring??

musiclevelz5

Clean off all residue surrounding the power steering area. Then put in UV dye. Put on your UV shades and find the leak. It should be very easy to find.

Rickcanada

Where would you buy uv dye? And this wouldn't hurt the car?

SuperGreg

If you have a significant leak, you'll probably end up needing to replace the rack/hoses/orings/etc to fix depending on what it is. I had a leak out of my rack that would bring the reservoir down from the top mark to the bottom mark within a few weeks or so, and I used some Lucas power steering stop leak and it's been fine for about 10K miles now. But I think this will only work if your leak is relatively slow, and through a seal that can be reconditioned with the stop leak.

Kris9884

This is a great option but in my opinion, only as a last resort if you plan to replace the rack anyway. Most sealants expand the rubber to stop leaks and seal things but over time, they tend to deteriorate the rubber seals and O-rings anyway and make the problem worse.