2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Burping Power Steering Fluid...

[DLausche]

OK, so how many times will the nitrogen canister thingy burp my power steering fluid all over the driveway before it is finally empty and stops? It did it once last year when it was really cold and then it did it twice last week when it was really cold out. 3 times so far. I have to refill the PS reservoir each time it does this. Seems like there must be some charge left in it because it still has power assist if I shut down the engine and hit the brakes.



Just wondering how many times it will make a mess in my driveway before it runs out of gas.



TIA

-Deon

 

[DLausche]

Puking Power Steering Fluid Again...

TTT. Alright, it did it again. I admit I am surprised how much charge that little nitrogen canister has in it. Sure makes a mess of the driveway. I guess I am getting a sort of power steering fluid change...



Anyone else have this problem or is it just my truck that pukes the stuff all over the place when it is cold?

 

[Joe Mc]

You must be the lucky one in the bunch? I've never had this problem, use synthetic steering fluid (wouldn't think that should matter?), although I usually park with the nose facing down/out the driveway and don't turn the wheel until in motion. With that in mind I parked facing up the driveway last weekend and noticed a 2" wide X 14" wide spot on the driveway when I came home - could it be PS fluid spewing? So maybe it's not just you. could be our driving habits ? ? ?

 

[DLausche]

I wonder about the synthetic fluid. I've used Valvoline SynPower for several years now. I wouldn't think that would have anything to do with it but who knows. It sure makes the pump quieter in the frigid cold. I always park outside unless it is gonna dip below -20*. The first two times it did it was right after I brought the truck into the heated garage from outside when it was -25* or so. Sure does make a mess on the driveway that I just seal coated last fall. I'm not sure about it being driving habits. I think I'm pretty easy on it and the truck only sees on the road use.

Hopefully it won't keep puking forever...

 

[DieselDave]

It's time for my annual cry for guidance from you guys “the Dodge Ram experts”! As per the scenario originally described in this thread, I have may just experienced a similar situation with my truck. After returning home from a recent snowmobiling trip (~325 miles) with my truck/trailer all systems were functioning just great. I unloaded the truck, took it for a wash parked it in the garage and again all was good. 1 week later I looked under the truck only to find a pool of oil about 2 feet in diameter. It was definitely power steering fluid. All of the hoses and hose connections look to be in good and are clean and dry. No apparent leaking where the pump mounts to the reservoir housing either. It appears to me that the oil came out of the top of the reservoir at the cap.

Before this trip I checked the PS fluid level and found it to be just a hair above the full/cold mark where I like to maintain it. Oddly enough, after the burp the level in the PS reservoir is almost at the top! I had switched out the OEM PS fluid in 2007 @ 233K miles w/ Valvoline SynPower because the brake booster lines were pulsating (https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ke-booster-hoses-ps-pump-pulsating-noisy.html ).

At this point I am thinking that I will suck out all of the oil I can from the reservoir and then add Redline Synthetic PS Fluid #30404 which seems to be the popular option from what I can tell and then see what happens. I haven't run the truck since I returned from that trip a few weeks ago and I probably won't have time to dig into it for a few weeks but I first wanted to consult with you guys for a diagnosis & repair strategy. Thanks in advance for your guidance & direction.