Leaking Power Steering

[puffsorted2]

Ok I thought I had solved this one but perhaps not.

My power steering is leaking fluid so I am trying to figure out where its from. There is a pool of fluid gathering on the floor just behind and inside the front drivers side wheel. As the rack is a good foot forward of this point I don't think its that so its probably a hose.

Anyone know the route the low pressure return and the high pressure inlet hoses follow and which would be the likely candidate as to the problem given by the location of the pool of fluid before I jack the thing up and take a look.

Puff

[shpub]

Usually the pipework under the pump. See page 200 int'bible for piccy of usual location. Worth getting fixed ASAP as PAS fluid is flammable. Don't want it
dropping onto the exhaust.

[Seasider]

puffsorted2 said:

There is a pool of fluid gathering on the floor just behind and inside the front drivers side wheel.

shpub said:

Usually the pipework under the pump.

Pumps nearside i think Steve

[puffsorted2]

Seasider said:

puffsorted2 said:

There is a pool of fluid gathering on the floor just behind and inside the front drivers side wheel.

shpub said:

Usually the pipework under the pump.

Pumps nearside i think Steve

Yeap the pump is nearside and is dry. Under the reservoir (offside) is dampish but not enough to cause the amount of fluid loss. I guess its a split in the pipe that goes to the rack, just don't know which one. Talked to Leven and Austec this morning who both had the same opinion that the pipes at fault but there are a number of different pipes sizes and routing, so it could be the low or high pressure one.

[tvr_nut]

puffsorted2 said:

Seasider said:

puffsorted2 said:

There is a pool of fluid gathering on the floor just behind and inside the front drivers side wheel.

shpub said:

Usually the pipework under the pump.

Pumps nearside i think Steve

Yeap the pump is nearside and is dry. Under the reservoir (offside) is dampish but not enough to cause the amount of fluid loss. I guess its a split in the pipe that goes to the rack, just don't know which one. Talked to Leven and Austec this morning who both had the same opinion that the pipes at fault but there are a number of different pipes sizes and routing, so it could be the low or high pressure one.

You are doing well if its dry under the pump - mine (1996) has always tended to "seep" where the two flexible hoses join the u-shaped metal pipe. The hose is trying to clamp onto a curved bit of pipe, so hard to get a good seal. Have now got two jubilee clips on each bit which helps, but still get enough to get an oily sheen on the metal pipe, to which dust/dirt sticks. I know this as I have just wiped it dry for the MOT (passed with flying colours a hour ago - so can afford Christmas again this year!).

The other place where I have seem leaks is where the column enters the rack - this tends to collect in the "well" containing the seals, and then drips out and blows back along the chassis. In my case it is a minimal leak, and if wiped out (before the MOT of course) will not fill up enough to leak out before the next test.

At least if yours is a hose, it is fairly cheap to fix (compared with new or recon rack).

[puffsorted2]

tvr_nut said:

puffsorted2 said:

Seasider said:

puffsorted2 said:

There is a pool of fluid gathering on the floor just behind and inside the front drivers side wheel.

shpub said:

Usually the pipework under the pump.

Pumps nearside i think Steve

Yeap the pump is nearside and is dry. Under the reservoir (offside) is dampish but not enough to cause the amount of fluid loss. I guess its a split in the pipe that goes to the rack, just don't know which one. Talked to Leven and Austec this morning who both had the same opinion that the pipes at fault but there are a number of different pipes sizes and routing, so it could be the low or high pressure one.

You are doing well if its dry under the pump - mine (1996) has always tended to "seep" where the two flexible hoses join the u-shaped metal pipe.

Its probably only dry there as its all buggered off out of a split somewhere else

[Podie]

shpub said:

Usually the pipework under the pump.

Would have been my guess... so bloody thin it pisses everywhere...

[Big Brin]

I'd go with Tvr nut's diagnosis. I had a problem with a PAS leak and after going through tha same 'hunt the drip' as you have, I found that it was at the U bend. The jubilee clips and the hose did not have a decent seal on the U bend and so it leaked. I undid the clips on the hoses, withdrew the U a bit so it got get better 'purchase', tightenned the clips and it sorted it. QED.

Rgds, Brin