Power Steering Leak Help
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 406
Likes: 5
From: Fox Island, WA
Power Steering Leak Help
So I noticed some fluid leaking in my driveway when I backed up my boat and camper (under good load) up my driveway a couple of weeks ago and noticed it looked like it my be coming from my P/S cap. So I checked the level, good, and tightened it down, problem solved until yesterday.
I was backing my boat up the driveway and started hearing noises from the P/S like it was low, it was, and shot all over the place, again looked like from the cap area but much worse this time.
Well I am working a lot so just now have a few minutes to look into it and it made quite a mess down my shock and in my engine bay a bit. Fluid is a little low, added 1/3 of a quart, cleaned the cap and neck good and test drove around the block a bit. Well when I got home I had some smoke coming off of the manifold, thinking from yesterdays leftover? The area around the cap looked clean and no other visible leaks.
My questions are, is it a fire hazard if I drive it and it blows a bunch on a hot manifold and has anyone had a P/S cap blow like this? When I twist it closed, it's kinda snug, but can definitely pull up on it and see a little gap.
I was backing my boat up the driveway and started hearing noises from the P/S like it was low, it was, and shot all over the place, again looked like from the cap area but much worse this time.
Well I am working a lot so just now have a few minutes to look into it and it made quite a mess down my shock and in my engine bay a bit. Fluid is a little low, added 1/3 of a quart, cleaned the cap and neck good and test drove around the block a bit. Well when I got home I had some smoke coming off of the manifold, thinking from yesterdays leftover? The area around the cap looked clean and no other visible leaks.
My questions are, is it a fire hazard if I drive it and it blows a bunch on a hot manifold and has anyone had a P/S cap blow like this? When I twist it closed, it's kinda snug, but can definitely pull up on it and see a little gap.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
The caps all fit loose like that. The reservoir typically just has low pressure. I'd suggest you put the truck in idle and have someone turn the steering wheel lock to lock while you watch for any fluid leaks.
I'd be more worried about the high pressure line fitting coming loose and starting to leak. Those will blow out on you and leave you with no power steering and can ruin a pump trying to drive them with an empty reservoir.
I'd be more worried about the high pressure line fitting coming loose and starting to leak. Those will blow out on you and leave you with no power steering and can ruin a pump trying to drive them with an empty reservoir.
Veteran/Sheepdog
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,047
Likes: 110
From: Western AR
As an addition to Chris's post, I would add that, in addition to having no power steering, you will have NO POWER brakes as well. It truly, truly sucks trying to drive one of these trucks without them. You better be strong as an ox and have good cardio, too!
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