power steering pump problems
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Charlotte, NC
power steering pump problems
I have been having a problem with my power steering pump off and on, like it will hold fluid and then one day it will make a loud roar and there isn't hardly any fluid at all, I don't think its a leak, but if you look above the cap, there is a wet/oily spot on the underside of the hood. Any suggestions in how to fix this or what it is doing?
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
ok, how would that make the reservoir empty out, i mean, when i say empty, i mean its below the grate where you don't see any liquid empty. plus i don't turn the wheel when its off.
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
i have i have searched that thing for a leak, i have cleaned it and everything, and then one day i noticed directly above the cap, there is a wet spot, an oily spot, it looks like it could be power steering fluid bc it has the hole in the top of the cap to relieve pressure, it appears to be shooting back out of that hole.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Have you ever done any work on the P/S system and perhaps not blead it properly when done? Any evidence of a previous owner (if applicable) doing the same, as evidenced by fresh new/recent parts, marks on the fittings, etc etc?
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
i have yet to remove it or even move it around, i have had the truck 2 years now, it started losing fluid off and on for the past year about the time I started having radiator problems, how those two go together, i'm not quite sure, maybe just coincidence, but it will hold fluid, but now its getting worse to the point i'm adding fluid every week, and thats not cool at all. I have inspected lines and found nothing but that spot above the cap that seems to be getting bigger and bigger the longer this occurs. It has me stumped, and i don't want to take it to a repair shop unless i really have to. The pump still performs like it was supposed to, it just won't retain fluid like its supposed to.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
I'm not quite sure how it could happen, but I have to wonder if you are getting air in with the fluid causing the volume of fluid (now with air bubbles in it and thus foam) to expand and expell via that small vent hole. I've only seen this on an improperly blead system.
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
but see i have yet to bleed it, and it just started up within the past year, so i have no clue, i mean, it hasn't been touched for two years, no real reason to, if it aint broke, don't fix it, but now within the past year its doing it, i'm trying to avoid the shop, but if it keeps up, i'm gonna have to take it to em and see what they say. I have some buddies back home that run the garage up there, maybe they could cut me a deal, but down here they won't. But i'm still open for any suggestions/questions in trying to figure this one out.
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
i have heard a clogged line maybe, but i'm not sure if that would cause it to do that and still the pump perform the way its supposed to, just roars when fluid levels get too low.
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From: SW Va
The only time I've had this happen on my 99, was last year when I flushed the P/S system & in the process foamed the fluid. As it burped over the next 2 days, it would spit up out the P/S cap vent.
Any time the fluid gets low enough for the pump to get noisey, your aerating the fluid with air bubbles, which take a while to come out.
If this aerated fluid when compressed & then have the pressure released, as it's recirulated back to the reservoir, will have the bubbles pop & splash. If the bubble of air is large enough, it will blow fluid out of the cap.
The fact you FIRST had to add fluid, says there is a leak somewhere. It may be in the rack end seals, such that the dust boots have fluid behind them & if they aren't yet leaking, you wouldn't know it.
Any time the fluid gets low enough for the pump to get noisey, your aerating the fluid with air bubbles, which take a while to come out.
If this aerated fluid when compressed & then have the pressure released, as it's recirulated back to the reservoir, will have the bubbles pop & splash. If the bubble of air is large enough, it will blow fluid out of the cap.
The fact you FIRST had to add fluid, says there is a leak somewhere. It may be in the rack end seals, such that the dust boots have fluid behind them & if they aren't yet leaking, you wouldn't know it.
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Elder User
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From: Charlotte, NC
so where all should I look to see if there are any leaks, i've inspected lines and found nothing, i'm not too familiar with power steering pumps, the one thing I haven't really inspected like every other aspect, kinda one of those things u don't think about and then when is gone, u hate that you lost it, so when it started making noises i've been kinda lost and picking up bit by bit as I go. Which end is the dust boot on so I can check it? I'm hoping this is nothing major to the point i have to replace the whole pump right now, can't afford to do that, so the cheapest, most effective fix is what i'm looking for right now, you know how us college kids are always strapped for cash 
Last edited by fordtrucklover94; Sep 16, 2004 at 12:59 AM.