power steering leak after track time...help!!

[scottgf]

I need your help guys and girls..
Last weekend I ran at Willow Springs for the first time in my 94 RT/10. I was on the track for about 2 hours total (4 30 minute sessions).
When I got home I parked the car and left it til today (one week later). I moved the car out, and there was a good size puddle of p/s fluid under the car. I started the car and no fluid was leaking out, (there still was some fluid in the system).
My question is, did the fluid simply overflow due to hard driving at the track? Also what type of fluid does it use? I saw in the repair manual it says do not use ATF.
Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

Hi,

The above posts are good solutions to your problem. However, if you are looking for a cheap, quick fix before you have time to do it right, you can attach a coiled 6 inch length of tubing to the overflow ****** and that should prevent any spillage.

 

[prodiver]

Scott,
All of the above are good suggestions. I have a 95 that I have done quite a few track events with. The only thing I did to the power steering unit was to put a heat shield between it and the exhaust manifold. It bolted right to the manifold. Someone also suggested using Mopar cold weather power steering fluid because it has a much higher boiling point. I have been using it also and have had no problems with overheating yet.

 

[Henry Cone]

I'll second David Jenkins recommentaion for Red Line PS fluid. We have it installed in both of our cars and have not had any problems running several Viper Days events (including ambient temps approaching 100). We sucked out the stock fluid and refilled with Red Line, ran the car, and then repeated the process several times. We figure this process gets 95+ % of the stock fluid out without risking any leaks, etc. from opening any lines.

Our original information to do this came from Keith Moody at Bobby Archer's Motorsports. Apparently this is all that they did on Bobby's Viperspeed car. I have a larger cooler but have never bothered to put it on the car because this simple solution works!!!

I also agree on the level - keep it at the minimum level and keep and eye on it. You are less liable to puke any out this way. And keep your P/S reservoir cap tight!!!!

 

[David Jenkins]

Scott, she probably got a little hot. P/S is the red headed step child of fluids. Everyone forgets about it until she starts a fire. Get the fluid flushed and install Red Line p/s fluid if you are going on the track again. We flush the entire system including the rack and pinion. You might consider an overflow catch of some kind. Kip Partridge in Colo. has them. Also make sure it's down on the cold line level when full cold.(do not over fill)We're going to Buttonwillow this weekend. You in?dj