Power steering pump cap fix?

[Donzi]

This story is good!
I was leaving the V-10 nationals Sunday, I was there with my GTS as a spectator, not a racer. I was getting in the car when a family came up and
started asking all kinds of questions including "can we see the engine".

I happily opened the hood.......my car is a box stock garage queen.......nothing special. I noticed an oiley liquid dripped on the right valve cover, upon closer inspection I discovered that the power steering pump cap was off, but still in the compartment wedged against the exaust manifold!!

Yikes, can you say FIRE... That was lucky. Glad I opened the hood for those kids.

I seem to remember that the caps do fly off for no reason.......anyone else have theirs come off??
Is there a fix for it?
Thanks,

Ted

 

[Gerald]

tighten that baby with a large wrench or pliers..

 

[jimandela]

check it often!
only fix!
the wrench and pliers helps too....
but i used to check mine after every roadtrip

 

[Steve Miehe]

They are right. Check the cap each time you are under the hood and tighten as necessary!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I use a pipe wrench. But if you want to keep from scaring it up use a strap wrench.

 

[carguy07]

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http://www.hipoengineering.com/

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

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http://www.hipoengineering.com/

Installed that two days ago.

 

[Neil - UK]

Installed that two days ago.

bet you had the chrome version

does it look like it will work OK ?

 

[ViperGTS]

Mine come off several times.
Got a new one under warranty.
Stays there now for >2years.

 

[Nexus-6]

I use that hipo piece as well. Wonderfully simple fix to this problem.

This will take care of it for you.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

I lost a couple buy a set of 12" channel lock pliers.

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Installed that two days ago.

bet you had the chrome version

does it look like it will work OK ?

Yeah...though I was somewhat perplexed and surprised that the inner part of the cap (with the stem assembly) is/was detachable from the inside of the cap itself. Not sure if it SUPPOSED to be that way...I forgot to call Tom to check. I put it back together and then assembled the fittings. It looks like ti will perform as advertised should the need arise.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

I am not sure the cap is supposed to come apart like that.

I checked mine over the summer, no dip stick. I sucked the fluid out and the inner stem was at the base of the pump housing. I purchased a replacement.

I am looking at this HIPO tube. If it keeps your cap from turning, how do you twist the cap on? Or do you install the tube after the cap is tight? If this is the case, how do you remove the cap?

 

[ViperJoe]

Here's my peace of mind

You must be registered for see images

http://www.hipoengineering.com/

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

I am not sure the cap is supposed to come apart like that.

I checked mine over the summer, no dip stick. I sucked the fluid out and the inner stem was at the base of the pump housing. I purchased a replacement.

I am looking at this HIPO tube. If it keeps your cap from turning, how do you twist the cap on? Or do you install the tube after the cap is tight? If this is the case, how do you remove the cap?

Hmmm, looks like I better orer another cap I guess. I thought it was odd when it came apart in my hands! LOL!!!! You basically assemble everything with the cap on. Seems to me it makes it a big deal if/when you want to take the cap OFF.....but I figured that once you have everything topped off and the cap in place, there really is no need to take it off (well, at least for us POSERS!!!!). Aside from that, I figure you can take one clamp off, slide the fitting out of the rubber boot, rotate it out of the way, then take the cap off.

 

[Jerry Dobson]

OK, that makes sense.

Thanks,

Jerry

 

[Donzi]

I just drilled a small hole in the top vent ****** area of the cap, ran stainless steel saftey wire thru the hole, then used aircraft wire twisting pliers to fasten it to the metal power steering pipe that runs next to the pump. Its not comming off again!

 

[ViperRay]

Get the Hipo piece and forget about it.

 

[Daniel Cragin/DC Performance Inc]

This has been a problem for some time. First always make sure the cap is tight, check to see if the gasket is missing from the bottom of the cap. Make sure the power steering system is not overfilled. We vent the cap into a dump tank and put a heat shield between the pump and exhaust manifold to reduce chances of boiling the fluid. On track cars we run a bigger power steering cooler and use a synthetic fluid with a higher boiling point.

Hope this helps.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Dan, what kind of synthetic fluid? I'm using Red Line.

 

[95Viper]

Hi guys, I make the HiPo Engineering Vent tube. I'm not out to quit my day job so I just priced this to get my money back when I created it. $19.95. It uses the highest quality parts available, Viton rubber, Stainless clamps, chrome or nickel plating and even a high quality releasable zip strip!

Don't just tighten with a wrench and break cap ($35 to replace), you'll forget some day and lose it. Don't rig up something you'll be shamed to show people when you open your hood. My Viper's too sweet to have ugly wires, hoses and worm drive clamps all over it.

Buy what works, ends the worries, and looks OEM.
www.hipoengineering.com

 

[2001 Sapphire Blue]

Hi guys, I make the HiPo Engineering Vent tube. I'm not out to quit my day job so I just priced this to get my money back when I created it. $19.95. It uses the highest quality parts available, Viton rubber, Stainless clamps, chrome or nickel plating and even a high quality releasable zip strip!

Don't just tighten with a wrench and break cap ($35 to replace), you'll forget some day and lose it. Don't rig up something you'll be shamed to show people when you open your hood. My Viper's too sweet to have ugly wires, hoses and worm drive clamps all over it.

Buy what works, ends the worries, and looks OEM.
www.hipoengineering.com

Got mine from HIPO...no problems in 6 months and it looks good!! Cheap remedy for a potentially expensive problem. Buy one!!

 

[MOUNTAINWOLF]

Checked mine... it's on there tight. When or why is this cap apt to come off ? Is my weekend driver at risk, or is this more for you track guys ?

 

[95Viper]

Searching the board for fire or smoke will show you it happens all over the place. One member drove his car from the dealership and fire. I pulled over 100 responses. I wouldn't risk it, for $20.

 

[thebigsnake]

I like Donzi's race-style fix.

 

[95Viper]

For you Michigan VCA members, the product is featured in the VCA Motor City Vipers Owners (MCVO) newsletter.

 

[KenH]

I just installed the HipoEngineering kit last weekend. It really is a good quality, well constructed piece. Don't let the lack of viper tax fool you into thinking it is not. Craig is also a nice guy to deal with.

I see no reason that it won't take care of the cap coming loose problem. I also like the idea that if the cap does vent, the oil is redirected down and away and it even spruces up the engine compartment a little. For $20 you simply can't beat it.

--- Ken

 

[Neil - UK]

ordered one off Craig too, he's posted it without even having the money off me yet as well like Tators great service

 

[HOGDEALER]

Sold - I just ordered two of them!!

 

[Tomer]

Any REAL viper part for $20, is worth buying on principal

Tomer