Archived power steering overflow???

[.44 mag]

Just went out to the truck and found a rather large amount of fluid on the ground. It lookes as if the power steering pump has overflowed! I have not added to it recently or anything. Anyone have an idea why it apears to be overflowing all of a sudden?



Thanks!

 

[AKAMAC]

Can you tell where the leak originated? ie. . vented through cap. . leaking between vacuum pump and PS pump. . return/pressure line leak. You might be lucky and the system "burped" and pushed fluid through the cap. Mike

 

[.44 mag]

It looks as if it blew out past the seal on the reservoir cap. I opened the cap and it was full to the brim.

 

[Mad Bomber]

PS

I just had to replace the gear box on my POS van because the seal was leaking ALOT.

 

[AKAMAC]

44, Jack up the FE and move the steering wheel lock to lock with engine off. Let us know if fluid level drops. Leave cap off.

 

[BarryG]

Twice on my truck it has puked large amounts of fluid from the gearbox. Specifically the top plate that is held on with four bolts. First time they were all finger loose. Second time 3 of the four were loose two of them being partially unscrewed. The first time it had me stumped for a bit where it was coming from. Might be worth a check.

 

[jrobinson2]

The nitrogen accumulator (the blue thing on the brake booster) probably failed filling the fluid with bubbles. You can check for this by pumping the brakes with the engine running then with the engine off, you should have power brakes for two or three pumps after you stop the engine, if the pedal is hard the first time down after you stop the engine the accumulator is blown.

Jared

 

[.44 mag]

Well, I'm not sure why it puked out the fluid. The brakes seem to be working about normal. I drove the truck in a parking lot and shut off the engine while coasting... . brakes had about three good assists left in them. This should rule out the accumulator being bad, right?? Truck has 30K on it and this is still factory fluid; should I change it out and replace with a synthetic like some folks suggest using?



Thanks for the help!



Hank