Figured I'd make a separate thread since it may be garage worthy since I'm sure I'm not the only 3G'er running into this problem at a measly 76K on the clock.

Scale of difficulty: 1 EASY 10 HARD, I'd say a 3.
Time: About 2 hours if you take your sweet time.

Recently had a leak that trickled down on my oil pan. Traced it back to my power steering pump (hopefully). The fluid had the same consistency and color as the PS fluid so I figured it was time to dig deeper.

Preordered ALL the seals for the power steering pump thanks to 94EG!'s recommendation and cost me about $8 at the local Acura dealership.



In the first image above, I ordered
13 91345-RDA-A01 O-RING (13.0X1.9) $0.67 $0.50 1 Add to Cart
14 91347-PAA-A01 O-RING (16.7X1.8) $0.75 $0.56 1 Add to Cart
15 91347-P2A-003 O-RING (15.2X2.4) $0.50 $0.38 1 Add to Cart
16 91348-P2A-003 O-RING (51.0X2.4) $1.03 $0.77 1 Add to Cart

17 91349-P2A-003 SEAL, POWER STEERING PUMP COVER $7.25 $5.44 1

In the second one, I ordered
23 91370-SV4-000 O-RING (14.4X1.9) $0.78 $0.58

and here they are in person...


OK, so I'll just write it out because it's pretty easy.
1. Remove the plug to the little black sensor thing that's held on by 2 5MM allens bolts (you'll see, even though I'm not sure what it is, engine idle sensor?)
2. Remove 2 5MM bolts and remove said sensor to keep it out of the way (the one bolted to the intake manifold)
3. Take 2 sandwich bags and twisties or tie wraps and unclamp and remove the front hose from the PS pump, careful not to spill on the accessory belt. Put a towel or paper towels down to catch the excess. I used a straw and sucked out and some from the pump so I wouldn't make a mess...spit it into a can of peas Now undo the 2 10MM bolts for the vacuum line of the ps pump up top...same deal...put a baggie over it and move it out of the way.
4. Now, use a 14MM socket and ratchet with a breaker bar to push back on the belt tensioner and move the belt off the ps pump pulley. Just move it off to the side, don't remove the belt entirely from the car.
5. There are 2 12MM bolts that hold the PS pump in place...get the rear one first...use a wrench, once you break it free it comes out by hand easily. The other one is trickier...pull the pump up a bit and you can fit a normal sized 6 point 12MM socket and ratchet in there with the breaker bar. When it breaks, careful with your thumb on the pulley Mine hurts now. One it brakes you can wiggle the PS pump up and down to give you more clearance and also to put pressure on the bolt so the ratchet catches and keeps unscrewing.
6. At this point, the pump is free and your engine looks like this.

7. Now, remove the 4 12MM bolts that hold on the PS housing on the pump. Once you do, you will see pretty much ALL the o rings you'll be changing.

OK...so I used a pick and changed out the o-rings (I used the above diagram to confirm I put the right ring in the right place. Number 15, 16 and 17 were SUPER rigid and dry and we all know that means LEAKS!

Here's a good comparison (hard to show) of the brittle rings and how flat they were compared to the new. Also, remember to put some PS fluid on the new ones when installing.

8. Next one I did was UNDER...it's a 10MM allen wrench bolt and it was a beast to undo. Breaker bar and all my strength but I got it. This ring wasn't too bad, but I wanted ALL NEW ones in there.

9. Put it all back together. To ensure it would seat right, I actually laid all the o rings out and put the cover on the ground and placed the pump down on it, then bolted up. The inlet ring #13, I had done before, but whatever...new one...plus, Was able to tighten that 10MM bolt much easier with the pump off now.
10. #23 is actually the o-ring from the hose that you moved out of the way (with the 10MM bolts).

I then used some Gorilla tape to tape up the orifices and used some degreaser and a wire brush to clean her up.


And here is the battlefield after the fact...



And we're done...


2 hours included time for a coffee and taking my time cleaning everything up. GOOD LUCK!

Hope this helps someone with a mystery leak.

I can't confirm yet if this fixed my mystery fluid on the oil pan...but once the old stuff burns off, I'll know...plus, at least this way I KNOW my PS pump is back to original state and is NOT the source of any leaks.

-Jeremy.

 

nice DIY! great pics!

Did you replace the o-ring on the pump inlet that was in the PS TSB?

 

Yes sir...it's #13. I had already done it once...and ended up doing it again anyway.

 

So is this basically a Power Steering Pump rebuild?


(btw, I cleaned up the parts list so it's easier to read; hope you don't mind.)

 

Yes sir!
and no, at all...thank you very much, actually. PS, feel free to change the title to reflect it if you think it's more pertinent.

 

 

Garaged. Got your own slot (A-105) right next to the DIY for PS Fluid Change (A-104).

 

Nice work!

 

awesome DIY!

 

Hey I got a question. I have a 04 TL and I had a Power steering leak when my car was under warranty. I had Acura replace the Power steering pump with a new one. ever since they replaced it my steering became extremely hard. I took it back to them and they bled the system and checked everything, even the output and said it's fine. then after complaining they finally replaced the entire system. Rack & Pinion, reservoir, hoses. and well they just left the same pump that they just replaced. My steering is still extremely hard and it was never like that. Acura said there is nothing else they can do they replaced my entire system. so I told them maby the new pump is defective, they said that's impossible they checked it and it is good. do you have any suggestions on this

 

I'd have concerns any time the dealership says they "checked it and it's good". I think that probably means they finished their sandwich and then had a cigarette and waited long enough for the customer to think they did something. I would ask them to please define "checking it" and how they determined it's good. Meaning, did they check the output and this and that...my bet is NO.

Maybe it's in my head, but after cleaning out and changing the o rings, I felt like my steering actually got slightly better. Maybe it's in my head.

Bearcat, THANKS! Yay, one of my DIY's finally made it into the garage.

PS, in looking at the exploded views above, I realize that I there is one thing I DIDN'T get to that says "replace" on it and that's the actual pump seal. But that's on the other side and would have required pulling the pulley off...then pulling the c-clip and pulling the entire shaft out. I didn't get that deep into it and hopefully my leak had nothing to do with THAT particular seal.

 

FYI everyone,

Wanted to give it some time...for a while after doing this I still smelled the burnoff of the whatever mystery fluid had leaked but I'm proud to report back that I went under the car today and my oil pan is bone dry. The power steering overhaul has resolved my "mystery" fluid leak that was running down the passenger side of the engine all the way down to the oil pan.

J.

YAY.

 

This is the best post cuz of its accuracy!!

 

QUESTION.... I believe I also have a PS issue but mine is NOT coming from the pump itself...Mine is a heavy back pressure leak from the resavoir/fluid bottle, being pushed right out of the "RED" cap and ooozzzing all over the dam place...Its been getting worse lately and need to fix IMMEDIATELY! Help! Anyone else experience this issue?

...BTW, AWESOME FREAKIN write up RS143!!!

 

Thanks man...

oozing out..have you tried cutting your wheel to either side with the car off? this causes the pump to overflow the reservoir.

 

^ yes...That doesn't work. I clean it all up...drive...and pop the hood and the top of the rezzie is soaked with fluid from top to bottom! Its clearly coming from the cap out of the rezzie. I believe its definitely my pump making too much pressure and going bad.

 

Is the fluid inside the reservoir foamy with bubbles while the car is running, or right after you shut it off?

If so, I would say it's just the suction hose o-ring that everyone has problems with. Sometimes it does this and it's even making a bunch of noise. It's caused by air getting into the system and displacing the fluid thus causing an overflow. My wife's 04 Pilot seemed to have a tank overflow and it was because of this same o-ring (my 05 TL and sisters 03 RSX too). Didn't make any groaning noises or anything. Should only cost $1 at the dealer, so I would say give it a try BEFORE anything else.

BTW Rockstar: Glad to hear this solved your problem. +1 for Acurazine.

 

U hit it on the head 94eg! That is exactly what mine is doing...Moaning loud when cold at starts or over night and foams while on. I called the dealer a few weeks ago and asked about the TPS issue and they asked for my VIN# and their records show the issue was replaced and fixed already. But wasn't that a heat resistant hose issue and you are bringing up a O RING issue? Anyone have the part # pls? Thanks!

 

it's number 13 on the first diagram posted.

ps...they are supposed to change this o ring when they do the recall for the hose. Easy fix.

 

PPS: They never do...

Run by the Honda dealer (it's cheaper). They will have it in stock. Part number is 91345-RDA-A01. You should only need a box-end wrench and a rag to change it out. Good luck.

 

Thanks Dude! Dam I love this site! FoRealDoe!

 

Just called Hondaland of Tampa... 5 in stock! $1.20

 

There you go...
and I concur. I love this site too. It's a lifesaver and a MUST for anyone planning to own an acura long term.

 

That sounds just like the video in this DIY fix for the O-Ring: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...&postcount=376

 

Honestly, after seeing how brittle the seals were AND confirming that I've fixed my leak that was dripping down the left side of the motor. I'd probably suggest that everyone with 75K or about 8 years old with a 3G rebuild it. I guess it's a lot more involved than changing the o ring, but with the thing OFF the car makes it so much easier to get at ALL the seals.

 

...Good point :/

 

Although it is a lot more work and if you don't have the problem yet, you might as well wait for it. 10 min fix > 2 hour fix.

 

yeah...even though you set a good point... Doesn't mean I am going right out to disassemble my power steering pump to re-gasket/o-ring the entire system Hell NO! I like my $1.20 chances of fixing it in 2 min vs 2hrs.

 

Well...IF you get the mystery fluid down the side of the motor onto the oil pan...then do the 2 hour thing. Cost me less than $8.

 

FoShoBro! I will! That was trick cuz I never knew u could do that. I thought once bad, Buy another

 

I am just now getting a chance to see the vid...This is 1000% my issue! Now I got to see when and how all the amt of fluid poured out... I was assuming the entire time it was happening WHEN I DRIVE...But now I see the mess does happen when I drive, its just when I stop driving and turn off the system and car it burps out. Which is the same time I am usually at that point opening the hood to check out the issue. And this explains in full it leaves a 8-10in puddle everywhere I park... THANKS A MILLION Bearcat!

 

Dude...change that o ring! WOW...huge puddle everywhere you park! Also, careful with your belt because it's probably spewing onto it. Wipe it down or potentially change it if it's gotten damaged.

 

Nah, belts good...Its been just spewing straight down since like the vid, it comes out when parked. But lately its been bad to teh point I looked under there and saw it on the back of my rim and suspension parts. What I been doing till this point is trying to spy where the problem is coming from. But in the past two days, I have been blessed with this info. So now... I am on a mission tomorrow. I was going today, But I had to drive 1hr to p/u my last item from my SOUND UPGRADE list... (see build thread) IDQ12v3 D4 for $130.00...Used as a wall demo only! Thats a $300 12in sub son! So, tomorrow...THE O-RING!

 

thanks a bunch for this DIY, i believe i have the exact same issue, my power steering pump leak looks very similar to yours and it goes down all the way to the bottom of the oil pan like your picture shows. I will be doing the fix this weekend and hopefully it will be the end of my leak.

 

Jay, great deal man...looking forward to your audio upgrades in your build thread! IDQ's are great subs.

Get the O RING!

paperboy...I figured I couldn't be the ONLY dude with this sort of failure. I hope it works for you too. Overall, very cheap and relatively easy fix. Just be patient. Also, give it time to burn off whatever has already leaked out and is sticking to the motor. After a few months now though, I checked my oil pan and it's bone dry. Thank goodness...ANY leaking fluid is really disconcerting to me.

 

DAM IT RS143! I am!!! immediately after work today! I leave at 12pm and going str8 to KUHN's Honda since its right down the street.

 

Dude...if you have a small 10MM wrench, and a paper towel, you can literally do this mod in the parking lot.

For good measure, get a quart of new honda power steering fluid...you'll need to replace all you've been purging. Once repaired, turn car on and cut the wheel left to right a few times...WITH cap off the reservoir and fill as necessary. This will bleed the system.

 

for sure! ^ Ummm... yeah! Trust me I have a qt on stand by from a fews days ago I bought 2 so I didn't have to stop again later on during the week. LOL! At least I get to use it. SAD but true story.

 

Well, it'll be over soon.

 

yes it is... It is PERFECT! Not a sound! Not a whine! Not one bubble coming from the rezzie! Its as if I bought a brand new pump! I am stoked! Thanks again BEARCAT & ... yeah, you to rockstar143