Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power steering pump burped?

[jbritsch]

This morning when I started my truck ( 2001 ), I had no power steering or power brakes. I shut the truck off and started checking fuses, and belts and what ever I could think of. I started and shut it off a second time. The third time I started it I still had no power steering or brakes, but then something happened and I now had my power back. I pulled out of my garage and there was a puddle of power steering fluid on the floor. I drove the truck to work carefully with no problems and had a mechanic look at it and he found nothing wrong. He cleaned up the power steering reservoir and couldn't find any leak. He said it looked like it must have hung up inside and when it freed up it burped up some fluid out the cap. Has anyone else ever heard of this and should I be concerned or don't worry about it?:--)

 

[SOLER]

My truck did the exact same thing three days ago. It was 18 degrees outside that morning. I had no power in the brakes or steering, since they are powered by the same unit. I decided to drive carefully around the block, and after about 100 yards, it was fine.



The next day, I started it up and it made the sound like the pump was low, and was more pronounced when I turned the wheel or stepped on the brakes. After a short drive, it went away and hasn't done it since.



I have checked the fluid, and it is fine, but there is evidence of a leak. There is a spot on the driveway, but no sign from where it was leaking. Sort of wierd.

 

[diverig]

Mine dose this to only when it is cold out, howels (sp) like its out

of fluid no power stearing and no power brakes till it gets warmed up.



I replaced the fluid with NAPA brand ps fluid and it helped some.



I tried to find RP synthetic but none of the part stores will order it.

 

[Texas Diesel]

You'll like the Royal Purple Max EZ, I ordered mine from JC Whitney

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - mine did it once too right after I bought it - never done it since, fluid was still at good level - no other problems...

 

[Blu-meanie]

You guys need to check your brake booster accumulator (the blue thing on the booster). See if it's loose, check if you have at least two brake applications with the engine off. That accumulator blows out and puts nitrogen into the system.



The bad news is you have to replace the whole booster assembly.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Where does it get the nitrogen to PUT into the system?



Mine works fine just a one-time aberration...

 

[Blu-meanie]

The nitrogen is (was) in the accumulator. The seal on the accumulator piston took a hike.

The brakes will work normally, but if something kills the cummins, or the power steering pump should fail... . have fun stopping the beast.

 

[RichB59]

Ps puked

on mine twice. The input I got here said to change PS fluid to Valvoline synthetic which I have done and so far no more problem. DC has no clue and failed to address the problem. I also reported it to the Nat hwy safety folks. Alot of TDR folks said the syn ps fluid helps with cold weather operation also. The container does say it prevents foaming which I think is the cause of the leaking out the fill cap.



LOL RichB