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Got a freaking PS fluid leak on my Expedition. It is leaking from the return line that goes from the steering gearbox to the oil cooler - below is a picture of the hose that is leaking. It is leaking from where the rubber and metal parts are joined. For reference, the rubber hose end slips on the oil cooler and after the oil cooler there is a hose that goes back to the storage tank.
I have replaced the hose twice with a leak in the same place - the first hose lasted about a year then started leaking. Figuring it was just a defective hose I replaced it this weekend and the damn new hose started leaking as soon as I started it up.
So either there is a really big batch of bad hoses out there or maybe there is a restriction in the oil cooler? This line should not have a lot of pressure on it since the pressure is on the other side of the pump. In fact the hoses on the oil cooler are held on with spring clamps so if it was a lot of pressure I'd expect one of those to blow off.
Any ideas why this flipping hose would leak at this joint?
This hose is leaking where the rubber joins the metal
IMHO...you hit it on the mark--QA issue...likely with the clamp.. IMHO, I would remove the hose, plug one eng off and pressurize with air to verify where the leak is specifically coming from....if it's the tubing, ok, issue with mfg...if it's from the clamp being too loose then I would cut the clamp off, try replacing with a worm drive clamp.....that should work ...if not, then visit any HD equipment shop as they would have machine to press a new fitting on (field truck mechanics have these as well)
More info - decided not to be outdone by this so I went and drained the PS fluid and removed the cooler. Drained it and was able to blow air through it fairly easy. And no crud came out of it - I half expected it to be plugged up with crud but I don't think this is the case.
Also blew air up the return line into the reservoir and that flowed like I would expect without obstruction.
So now I am thinking I have just had a bad hose?
Anyway, if you have other thought what could be causing this I am going to order a different brand of hose and see what that is like.
IMHO...you hit it on the mark--QA issue...likely with the clamp.. IMHO, I would remove the hose, plug one eng off and pressurize with air to verify where the leak is specifically coming from....if it's the tubing, ok, issue with mfg...if it's from the clamp being too loose then I would cut the clamp off, try replacing with a worm drive clamp.....that should work ...if not, then visit any HD equipment shop as they would have machine to press a new fitting on (field truck mechanics have these as well)
Funny you should suggest replacing the clamp because that is exactly what I did when the first hose started leaking - and I had to re-tighten it once back in the fall. I got to wondering if the hose had something major wrong with it so I decided to replace it but now that I know the system is pretty clear downstream of this hose, I am not so worried about it blowing off. It ticks me off that QA is so shoddy - I am going to get a 3rd hose and try that from a different brand (the prior 2 were Gates) and send the 2nd one back as defective.
Remove the clamp and hose. Then coat the tube with RTV and reassemble everything with a new clamp. Give the RTV 24hrs to cure and then install the hose. It will never leak again.
Remove the clamp and hose. Then coat the tube with RTV and reassemble everything with a new clamp. Give the RTV 24hrs to cure and then install the hose. It will never leak again.
Thanks Alloro - sage advice as always. I kept the first hose that started leaking - it is only 3 years old and I pulled the hose off and there is a barb on it. I will use your technique replace it this weekend. So far the new leak is fairly small.
I am getting to where I take that dang hose off with my eyes closed ;-)
Pull the hose off. Is there a rib on the tube where the hose clamps on ? Maybe try double worm clamps on it ? What brand is the hose ?
Both the leaking hoses are Gates brand - I pulled the old one off and it has a barb on it. I think when I repair the one I have off I will put an Oeteker stepless clamp on it - I think the problem I was having before was maybe vibration was working the worm clamp lose or maybe I just was not able to get it tight in place - it was a pretty confined area.
I will use your technique replace it this weekend.
Just makes sure the tube and hose internals are cleaned of power steering fluid using carb cleaner or something similar so the RTV adheres good. Also you might want to mark the position of the hose to the tube so you reassemble it in the correct position.
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