Power steering pump hose leaking?

[Qualitywires.com]

Has anyone had problems with their hoses leaking. I was trying to figure out where the my oil leak was. Come to find out, it might not be an oil leak..but a hose leak from the power steering fluid. I checked the level and sure enough it's way below. Is there a way to find out if it's power steering fluid or oil?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Power steering fluid is red. Very little chance that oil would be leaking in the same area as the PS pump. Pull the left front wheel off and tighten the fittings from the pump to the steering gear.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

chuck,
my power steering fluid is a light colored fluid, kind of like new oil.

I heard there is a dye you can stick in the oil to see where it may be leaking from.

One probobly area is a sensor underneath the throttle body of the driverside. Not sure what it is, but when you pull it out, there is oil there. Kind of looks like a coolant temp sensor....but for oil. Any idea?

 

[GTS Dean]

ab,

I lost the high pressure hose on my '96 at TWS about a year ago. The hose runs down between the back of the pump and the #1 exhaust port, where the heat shielding doesn't completely cover the manifold. What happened was that the 1600 degree exhaust manifold cooked the hose, right where the hardline crimps to the hose. The hose slowly became charred and brittle, then burst. PS fluid blew all over the left side of the motor and started a small fire, which I luckily extinguished very quickly.

The reservoir cap also has a very small vent hole in the top. Under hard service and high temps, this vent will spit some fluid. You can slip a piece of 3/8" fuel line over it and route the hose away from extreme heat sources.

 

[RoyV101621]

The power steering pump was leaking on my 94 when the motor returned from Arrow. I fixed it with a metric O-ring between the plastic reservoir and the pump.

 

[David Jenkins]

Power steering and a/c discharge hoses are very common. I do at least 1-2 p/s a month. Exhaust heat usually kills 'em. Make sure you zip tie the vac. lines and cable to the new hose. Not no wimpy zip tie either, get a couple of those big, wide Texas style zip ties. They use 'em for handcuffs out here!! Also wrap it in high temp heat shielding.dj

 

[ACELLR8]

Ab,

What was the problem with your leak. I am having the same symtoms you are describing. Clear / light yellowish oil coming from my power steering area. Wiped it down a couple of times and it is definitely coming from the pump. Plus the Power steering fluid is going low.

Was it a hose or did you have to change your power steering pump.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I had to replace the hi pressure hose. It's the one closest to the exhaust. You can check it by watching the hose while somebody turns the wheel all the way to the lock position (motor running of course). Fluid will leak or squrt out.

 

[ACELLR8]

Chuck,

Thanks I will check that tonight. Should not be hard to see with the amount that is leaking out.

Thanks,
ed

 

[scottgf]

FYI
The only repair I have needed to perform on my snake since I bought it was to replace the Hi pressure p/s hose.
Very simple to do, took me about 20 minutes...the part cost about $40.00 (I got a deal).
Im no mechanic but if it ends up being the hose, dont be afraid of replacing it yourself...
Cheers,

 

[Qualitywires.com]

My powerleak was actually a timing cover oil leak. Hard to find, but got it sealed up.