Power steering fluid leak

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 15:04

ThreadID: 15745 Views:2055 Replies:2 FollowUps:3

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Member - Jiarna (SA)

Hi all
My power steering is blowing oil out the top of the reservoir. It works fine, no leaks in any of the pipes or pump or steering box. The breather on the cap is OK. Any clues what is going on? Maybe sucking air through a seal in the pump and aerating the fluid? - although can't see bubbles in the reservoir.
Thanks in advance
John

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Reply By: Peter 2 - Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 16:28

Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 16:28

Have you recently disconnected any part of the system?
If so you could have air in the system somewhere.
You could try bleeding it by putting the front up on jackstands and going from lock to lock 20 or 30 times without the engine running and then do the same with the engine running, this will purge any air from the system.
If you haven't had any work done on it then it could be as simple as a faulty seal on the cap or it may be overfull. ATF expands a lot when hot.

AnswerID: 73583

Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 21:04

Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 21:04

Hi Peter
I haven't done any work on the system since I've had it, but it has been leaking since then. So maybe the previous owner got air in the system. I'll give it a go.
Cheers
John

FollowupID: 333722

Follow Up By: Peter 2 - Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 21:50

Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 21:50

When I did the RHD conversion on the Humvee I followed the workshop manual directions which was to do as I originally posted, jack it up and go lock to lock without the engine going 200 times! As I had increased the fuid capacity (nearly doubled) I did it about three hundred times, then started the engine and did it another couple of hundred times before the reservoir stopped blowing it out the top.
It has been fine until I recently had a repair done on the radiator which meant disconnecting the cooler which meant that air got in the system again.
Being lazy I just hooked it up and drove it, consequently it then blew it's top and once I bled it again it has been ok. Only did it about 50 cycles this time.
Peter

FollowupID: 333732

Reply By: Member - Glenn(VIC) - Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 20:35

Sunday, Aug 22, 2004 at 20:35

Gooday Jiarna,

You are looking at approx $370 for a replacement pump new. I had to replace mine two years ago and apparently you can't bet reconditioned ones.

Cheers

AnswerID: 73611