Posted on 11/29/2004 1:59:05 PM PST by Clive
You're going to have to find the source of the leak.
Given the age of the vehicle, I'd start by checking that the hoses and clamps between the steering rack, the power steering fluid cooler, and the power steering pump are tight.
They seem to loosen up as the vehicle ages. If the hoses need to be replaced, the ones that are held on with hose clamps are on the low-pressure side and can be replaced with 3/8 inch inside diameter transmission cooler hose (sold by the foot at any decent auto parts store).
The hose that's screwed in and goes directly from the pump to the rack is a high pressure hose, and you'll have to buy the specific hose for your vehicle if that one is leaking.
If that isn't the source of the leak, it might be the pump itself. If you can't find the source of the leak due to everything being a mess, clean it up with Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner (in the spray can)--it works GREAT for cleaning grease/oil/dirt. Hose it off when you're done, and the grease/oil/dirt will rinse away.
Add power steering fluid, go for a short drive, and see if you see any leakage. If you still can't find it, go on Ebay and get a portable flourescent UV light for about $15 (they're also used for spotting counterfeit bills, for rock collectors to identify rocks, and other things) and then go to the auto parts store and get some UV dye for engine oil/transmission fluid.
Add the UV dye to your power steering fluid (which is just transmission fluid, so UV dye for transmission fluid will work fine), and then go for a short drive, and then use the UV light to spot any leakage--the dye will glow bright yellow under the UV light.
Great tips! I guess I could get some black light posters for the jedis and use the lamp in their room after that? LOL Do they still even MAKE black light posters?
Can you use that scubbing bubble stuff everywhere under the hood? Any place you should use caution?
I think they still make black light posters.
You can use scrubbing bubbles almost everywhere under the hood, just don't use it on the battery or the spark plug wires or anything the spark plug wires connect to.
It leaves the engine compartment smelling so clean, too!
Thank you again! I'll keep you posted.
The car was a chrysler newport 2door hardtop with bucket seats. It was a big bad monster(emphasis on big)...would do 50+ MPH in first and could bury the speedometer with the gas pedal only 1/2 way to 3/4 the way to the floor.
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