Need Techie Help for Power Steering
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: Apache, OK
Need Techie Help for Power Steering
My F350 has been in the shop since last Thursday because they can’t find a leak in the power steering system. Most of the time, there is not so much as a drop of fluid on the ground. Then, generally when it is first started, it dumps a puddle about 12” in diameter until I can shut it off. When I restart, not a leak.
It may leak the very next time I start it or not a drop for a few hundred miles and numerous starts. The truck is covered with power steering fluid from the reservoir to the suspension so it is hard to detect exactly where it originated. When it does leak, it is under pressure and not just dripping. It makes the puddle in the time it takes me to shut it off.
I’m baffled – and so is the diesel tech.
It may leak the very next time I start it or not a drop for a few hundred miles and numerous starts. The truck is covered with power steering fluid from the reservoir to the suspension so it is hard to detect exactly where it originated. When it does leak, it is under pressure and not just dripping. It makes the puddle in the time it takes me to shut it off.
I’m baffled – and so is the diesel tech.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
Sounds like you need a new mechanic. That has got to be an obvious fix. Something opening up under pressure probably. Clean it all up good and then wrap potential areas with rags and strings to narrow if down.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
Does the position of your tires have anything to do with it. Have you noticed when it leaks if your tires are cut hard to right or left?
Is pump starting to go bad and blowing it out every once in a while?
I have no idea but is there an inline filter on that year? (I had one on my 96 Bronco it was after market had all kinds of problem till I found it (inside hose) and removed it.)
Is pump starting to go bad and blowing it out every once in a while?
I have no idea but is there an inline filter on that year? (I had one on my 96 Bronco it was after market had all kinds of problem till I found it (inside hose) and removed it.)
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 2
From: Juneau, ALASKA
+1 vote for the clean it up with degreaser really good top off the fluid with dye and try to make it leak turn steering to stops both ways and hold it for a minute. Drive over some bumps. Drive in tight circle in both directions both forward and reverse.
If it is coming out under pressure it has to be from the pump or the high pressure line.
If it is coming out under pressure it has to be from the pump or the high pressure line.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
while not on this kind of truck, I suddenly got PS fluid all over on my hotrod.
yesterday it was ok, today not..
somehow the high pressure hose had come loose at the pump. didn't LOOK loose,
and wasn't dripping. I hadn't touched it in over 1.5 yrs since I assembled the engine onto the chassis.
I agree, if its coming out under pressure, its gotta be the hose, or a blown gasket.
holding the wheel at the turn limit (lock) will cause the most pressure..
Sam
yesterday it was ok, today not..
somehow the high pressure hose had come loose at the pump. didn't LOOK loose,
and wasn't dripping. I hadn't touched it in over 1.5 yrs since I assembled the engine onto the chassis.
I agree, if its coming out under pressure, its gotta be the hose, or a blown gasket.
holding the wheel at the turn limit (lock) will cause the most pressure..
Sam
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
+1 vote for the clean it up with degreaser really good top off the fluid with dye and try to make it leak turn steering to stops both ways and hold it for a minute. Drive over some bumps. Drive in tight circle in both directions both forward and reverse.
If it is coming out under pressure it has to be from the pump or the high pressure line.
If it is coming out under pressure it has to be from the pump or the high pressure line.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: Apache, OK
I’m not ready to find a new mechanic yet. Ford said the problem was that I needed a new steering box that costs over a grand. I think just because there is a leak does not justify changing out the entire steering box. This guy says he won’t charge anything if he can’t find the problem.
There is a coating of oil all over everything around the power steering system, but not a drop anywhere. It is all or nothing.
I am going over there this morning and try holding it at full left or full right. My logic says it has to be a valve sticking somewhere in the pump since it is all or nothing. I think I’ll have them flush the system, refill, tie rags around suspected areas with plastic ties and drive it a little while to see what happens next.
There is a coating of oil all over everything around the power steering system, but not a drop anywhere. It is all or nothing.
I am going over there this morning and try holding it at full left or full right. My logic says it has to be a valve sticking somewhere in the pump since it is all or nothing. I think I’ll have them flush the system, refill, tie rags around suspected areas with plastic ties and drive it a little while to see what happens next.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,798
Likes: 14
From: Mt. Shasta California
I’m not ready to find a new mechanic yet. Ford said the problem was that I needed a new steering box that costs over a grand. I think just because there is a leak does not justify changing out the entire steering box. This guy says he won’t charge anything if he can’t find the problem.
There is a coating of oil all over everything around the power steering system, but not a drop anywhere. It is all or nothing.
I am going over there this morning and try holding it at full left or full right. My logic says it has to be a valve sticking somewhere in the pump since it is all or nothing. I think I’ll have them flush the system, refill, tie rags around suspected areas with plastic ties and drive it a little while to see what happens next.
There is a coating of oil all over everything around the power steering system, but not a drop anywhere. It is all or nothing.
I am going over there this morning and try holding it at full left or full right. My logic says it has to be a valve sticking somewhere in the pump since it is all or nothing. I think I’ll have them flush the system, refill, tie rags around suspected areas with plastic ties and drive it a little while to see what happens next.