I have a 1994 Ford Explorer, Eddie Bauer....with a 4.0 engine. It has quite high mileage on the engine. I am having a problem with the power steering leaking. The cap on the power steering is quite loose. fluid has leaked from the cap, ran down the hoses, and leaks on the ground. It isn't a very large leak, but since it comes out from the top of the actual pump itself, does that mean that the pressure and return line(s) of the pump may be clogged? The fluid looks quite dark, but the car steers really well! I am not sure what to do, but I went ahead and bought a new cap, and new hoses for the power steering. I was not sure if I needed to put them on or not, before I got an opinion from this site.

Thanks very much!

-J-

 

Are you sure it didn't simply have too much fluid in it? When cold, if it's filled above the cold fill line, it will expand enough to leak out of the cap.

 

I would degrease everything, put the new cap on, make sure the old lines are tight, and make sure the level is correct. Drive it and see what happens. I wouldn't put the new lines on unless the old ones look bad, or you still have a problem.