Power Steering - riddle me this......

crxess · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:38 AM

How does a sealed system get moisture inside?

After researching here a year ago, I flushed and refilled the Power steering system on my '94 Aero. It took a few days driving, but the system totally frees up and started working great again. Saved big bucks too!

Now, it just failed again. Ps works fine @ ddriving speeds. Slow and stopped = no assist. Fluid is once again HOT PINK and MILKY looking.

No signs of fluid loss.

Any feed back?

Thanks

cookkd · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crxess

How does a sealed system get moisture inside?

After researching here a year ago, I flushed and refilled the Power steering system on my '94 Aero. It took a few days driving, but the system totally frees up and started working great again. Saved big bucks too!

Now, it just failed again. Ps works fine @ ddriving speeds. Slow and stopped = no assist. Fluid is once again HOT PINK and MILKY looking.

No signs of fluid loss.

Any feed back?

Thanks

Take a look at that rubber, funnel looking thing that is right over the fluid reservoir. Most people that have been driving a 'Star for any length of time will take a beer/soda can, cut it in half and place it over the reservoir. Water leaks from the rubber thingy right on top of the cap.........

copper_90680 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 10:39 AM

Hi Crxess,

Welcome to our forum

There has been a lot of discussion about moisture in the P/S system. The consensus is that the moisture gets in because the gutter drain (that flat rubber tube on the firewall near the top of the P/S cap) is too close to the cap and some of the water got into the P/S through the vent on the cap. I think it's either Ken or Cliff who came up with the idea of a sawed-off beer can (or soda can) over the cap to prevent this from happening. You might try it since it can't do any harm. A beer is always a good idea when you're not driving.

96_4wdr · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 12:36 PM

must have been Ken
my beer cans are too large

also the heat/cool cycles draw air thus moisture into the ps system.

put in an inline filter. use search function
Microfine or other brand, auto parts stores

my cowl drain was filled with fir needles at the drain hole into the rubber tubey last winter totally plugging it up. caused it to leak thru seam directly onto top of engine. thought i had another coolant leak until i checked it on a rainy day.

93nighthawk · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 08:10 PM

Welcome!

I concur with what has been said, use a pop can and cover that puppy!

JTHill24 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2008, 08:46 PM

Bad seal in your Rack n Pinon. My son's ol Olds Ceria does the same thing. Flush it out, Refill with fresh fluid. Lasts any where from 1mt to 3mts. Open the pump lid and it looks like mud. Also the powering steering quits working then works when it wants too.
It's leaking some kind of Grease/oil into & mixing in the steering system.

JaY

Pablo-UA · #7 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 01:44 AM

I rebuilt my r'n'p. No magor leaks, but seals pinion seal is dirty around. and i see atf drops on my driveway. I used to add a bit, but a quater of atf is still not used for a year.

Aeroman59 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:38 PM

Power steering system is under pressure when you steer, should be no leaks for water to enter or oil would escape.

The filler cap/ dipstick has a breather hole in it, make sure this hole faces to the low side of the pump ....ie the hole is towards the road. Because the pump resevoir is angled the water which gets into the cap will drain away before it gets as high as the breather hole. if you fit it the other way it is possible for a pool of water to cover the breather hole. When fluid expands & contracts a vacuum is created which could suck this water into the reservior.

The beer can would work too but I do what I just said & no water for 9 years,
Touch wood !!
'Aeroman

Bear River · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 01:17 AM

Wether or not you do get water depends on if the gutter is plugged and also if the seal along the back of the hood is intact. That is where water gets in, I have seen it happen.

crxess · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 08:14 AM

Luck ran out this time.

Rained here for 7 day straight. Forced me to drive it to work as-is for 3 days.

The pump started making a deep growl and picked up a heavy vibration in the steering wheel.

Flushed it out yesterday until everything ran clean. Pump still growling and vibrating. Thrust area must be toast.

Picked up a reman. and tools to swap the pulley. Will be changing today.

I will definately cover the fill cap from here out.