power steering pump spewing out fluid
03-26-2010, 07:51 PM
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power steering pump spewing out fluid
My power steering pump has been spewing fluid out of the fill cap for a while now. It does it mostly when I shut the engine down. Iv heard things like "put ATF in it", but Im not sure about that. Its now leaking from the PS unit, just the fill cap when when its shut down.
Iv found a vacuum pump/PSpump on ebay for $100 from a 97 that will fit (My vacuum pump is also messed up). However Im not sure if replacing just the PS pump is going to fix the problem. How do I know if I have to replace the PS unit as well. I don't want to start throwing money at the wrong things.
any help? refilling this thing every day is getting ridiculous.
Iv found a vacuum pump/PSpump on ebay for $100 from a 97 that will fit (My vacuum pump is also messed up). However Im not sure if replacing just the PS pump is going to fix the problem. How do I know if I have to replace the PS unit as well. I don't want to start throwing money at the wrong things.
any help? refilling this thing every day is getting ridiculous.
03-26-2010, 08:34 PM
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Mine was working very hard (especially when cold) and foaming out of the cap. I replaced my powersteering pump and fixed the problem. However, air inturusion is what causes the foaming. If your steering is working just fine, it might be a simple leak on the low pressure hose sucking air. I would look there first. If it's working hard, i would suspect the pump though.
03-26-2010, 08:38 PM
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Is it hard to turn the wheel? Do you have to muscle the wheel at idle or can you do it with your fingers pretty much. Mine wasn't wining like a Ford pump will, but it would groan a little.
03-26-2010, 08:44 PM
#5
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Get both front wheels on jack-stands.
Take off the power-steering fluid cap.
Fill to proper level.
Engine OFF, have someone SLOWLY turn the steering-wheel all the way, lock to lock, right and left, back and forth, while you watch the fluid reservoir.
Big bubbles of air should puke out occassionally.
Add more fluid as necessary.
Keep doing this until no more air bubbles.
If it don't stay fixed, then start looking for an air leak in the system, most likely a return line.
Take off the power-steering fluid cap.
Fill to proper level.
Engine OFF, have someone SLOWLY turn the steering-wheel all the way, lock to lock, right and left, back and forth, while you watch the fluid reservoir.
Big bubbles of air should puke out occassionally.
Add more fluid as necessary.
Keep doing this until no more air bubbles.
If it don't stay fixed, then start looking for an air leak in the system, most likely a return line.
03-27-2010, 12:43 AM
#7
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Deadbunny, I was chasing a problem identical to what you described. I replaced the low pressure (return) line with one I had lying around. Same problem. I bought a new hose. same problem. I finally replaced the pump and problem solved. If no air is getting in, it is probably the pump.
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