Archived No PS and no brakes

[RichB59]

Big oil puddle under truck. Started up no brakes and no steering. PS fliud is leaking out of fill cap on PS pump. The pump appears to be over filled. I took a few OZ's out and let it sit. I restarted and steering and brakes are back. I'm really kind of afraid to drive it don't want to loose steering and brakes while moveing. Seems as if something got stuck and all the fluid returned to the resovoir and didn't go back out to the system. Any ideas out there I have read some of the post with a similar problem but don't see any resoloution to the problem.





Thanks in advance RichB

 

[wtrenholm]

Were you turning the wheel or pumping the brakes while the engine was off. Either could cause fluid level to rise and push out the cap. I just went and depressurized the HB accumulator (blue cylinder) it raised the fluid level in my PS pump almost 1/2".



As far as no assist the only thing I can think of is an air locked pump. Was the fluid areated and foamy?



A couple ideas anyway.

Wayne

 

[BVol]

I stopped at the dealer on my way home..... he said they replaced my steering pump and got the brakes and steering working however,he also said they found an oil leak and he thinks it is the seal between the vaccum pump and the block. He kind of indicated that it might have been damaged while replacing the pump(certainly weren't any leaks under the truck till the pump went) Should hav the truck back tomorrow,I'll post findings here

 

[THerman]

You might check the top of the steering box...



Mine was loose... leaking fluid there and out the top of pump... just had to tighten the four bolts on top... . I noticed it while someone else was moving the steering wheel...

 

[RichB59]

Trucks at

the dealer. Will have to wait and see. I didn't see any other leaks on the truck with the exception of a slight leak at the vacum pump. I hope I don't get the old "couldn't duplicate the problem" story. It really is a serious safety issue. I'm not one to haunt the dealer with warranty problems. This is the second visit in 2 years first was the air bag. the fluid was not foamy just a little dirty after 2 years use. I'm thinking off systhetic fluid in the future. I'll continue to post my progress.



Rich B

 

[wtrenholm]

Rich,



I with you on the change to synthetic fluid. This winter I had lots of pump noise and poor steering and brake assist but that was from it being a cold start at 20 below and fluid viscosity.



Wayne

 

[jackrea]

Vacuum Pump

Just got my good news, vacuum pump is the cause of my oil leak, no after market parts availiable, dodge has one, I need my truck yesterday so the price is $1076. 00. So if you are still under warranty get it done, my truck had 45630 miles on it. Jack

 

[wtrenholm]

Jack,



I'd look into that vacuum pump being under engine warranty. I was under the assumption that all engine seals and gaskets were covered by the 7/100 engine warranty, and it was an engine oil leak? Worth a few phone calls anyway.



Good luck,

Wayne

 

[MidwestMotorman]

aftermarket is available...

An aftermarket seal is available, from NAPA I believe. I have the part number somewhere, and it was only several $$$ if memory serves my right.



Found it... it is a viton seal, special order, double lip, dimensions are 38mm OD, 28mm ID, and . 7mm thick from NAPA. The price was about $14. Sorry, no part number.



If your pump is replaced, get your old one from the dealer (if they do not warranty it, the old part is legally yours) and rebuild it for later or resale. I would try getting it replaced under the 100k warranty.