I have spent many hours looking for this information with no luck. This worries me because it seems like I'm the only one with the issue. Since I'm not that unique I'm concerned that it means my troubleshooting skills are off on this one!

Problem: Noticed dirt accumulating to area around steering components at end of power steering lines. Checked level and it was probably 4oz low but no idea how long leak has been going. Looked under vacuum pump and can see wet oil staining around pulley of power steering pump. This has given a little dirt collection to vacuum pump due to its close proximity.

I feel like the leak may be around the bearing of the pulley. I cannot find a diagram, picture, youtube, post... nothing on this. On the F-series it seems the power steering and hydroboost are one system for to run brakes as well. Then on the van its split up. On the F-series the reservoir attaches to the back of the pump and on the van the reservoir is mounted between radiator and power distribution box with a hydraulic line running down to the pump. Everything I find online only shows an F-series set up for the 7.3, I can't find anything for the E-series.

So where have I gone wrong? Not looking in the right place or imagining this is a problem that it is not?

I'll be going in to install a water pump, idler, tensioner, belt and on the back side of the motor a turbo wheel upgrade (just rebuilt the darn thing last year!), and up pipes so I'd like to only have the belt and everything out of my way once... I know this is wishful thinking and you would agree if you've seen me work.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

 

does your diesel have a hydroboost system or a vacuum brake booster? they are very different.


I have a 2003 E350 clubwagon that the steering box has been leaking for over 4 yrs ..................... has never got any worse and have to top it up regularly but have never fixed the problem as it seems to help keep the underside oil sprayed. maybe used 3 quarts in 100,000 miles? mine has vac instead of hydroboost. have never replaced the PS pump, have replaced the Vac pump once, waterpump twice(1st one lasted 4 yrs) tensioner once, belt twice.


don't touch your PS pump unless you have a noticeable leak, problem solved. yes its hard to work on , get used to it.................

 

Greeaaaatttt...

I'm sort of a neat freak but can live with taking my time to discover a fix if it isn't going to hurt anything or stop working/throw a belt sometime. Thanks for the input!

Its definitely a vacuum and not a hydroboost! I think it was due to engine bay size that they didn't get the same workup as the truck.

...and thanks for the insight on parts schedules! I'm putting a new waterpump in when I do belt, tensioner, pulley and the like. I have a new leak there and everything is running fine. Maybe this will mean I have a spare depending on what I find when I pull it.