A case for the magical vanishing -- and subsequently reappearing -- steering fluid!

[JW657]

Originally Posted by Prismatic

Shes dead, Jim.

Pumps got a permanent whine and it's shooting fluid out whenever I turn the car off.

1999 Taurus SE 3.0 Vulcan OHV power steering woes - YouTube

GG. I'm too broke to fix it, so I guess I'm out a car

Edit - And yes that is a C-Clamp holding the DPFE sensor on. The bolts sheared off trying to remove it at one point.

In my personal experience, once you allow them to run low with air in the system, they will never quiet down unless you replace the pump. You should remember that if you do replace the pump, get it vacuumed before running it much, or the new pump will be loud too.

It puts the air under pressure, air can be compressed very easily. Once you shut the car down, the air also expands and makes the fluid want to come out of the top. You must have a leak somewhere, are you still loosing any fluid? If you have air in the system, there's usually a leak. Even if the pump whines after you get the leak fixed, it's still better than having no car.

[JW657]

Are you going to scrap the car?

[Breeves002]

WTF, that is really funny and weird.

I haven't heard anyone use the term "He's Dead, Jim" except for my dad. Startrek reference ftw!

[DN101]

Sorry bro.

[sousa632]

Originally Posted by DN101

I started whizzing out PS fluid a week or so ago, emptying the reservoir every day or so. I'm now on my second bottle of Lucas' Stop Leak and thing seem to have slowed down.

Because that crap is so thick........ wait till it gets cold out and see how the PS will NOT want to cooperate with you....

[Prismatic]

The issue seems fixed!

Here's some pics for you to gaze over

Obviously, secure the vehicle in the air.


Remove the tire and locate the passenger side rack boot. You'll be removing this, so be prepared to cut the inside clamp off. If you're careful you wont break the boot.


Remove the two clamps and slide the boot towards you to expose the prize. It's this "plate", with four holes in it. In my case, and the others noted in the thread I linked to, mine was loose. It took four full turns to tighten it back up.


With the plate tight, slide the boot back into position, reinstall the outer clamp, and install a new inner clamp.

My boot was full of power steering fluid, something I don't believe it should have been. I bled the system annnnnd no more spraying, and no more loud pump! Holy crap I just saved a ton of money!

[JW657]

Originally Posted by Prismatic

The issue seems fixed!

Here's some pics for you to gaze over

Obviously, secure the vehicle in the air.


Remove the tire and locate the passenger side rack boot. You'll be removing this, so be prepared to cut the inside clamp off. If you're careful you wont break the boot.


Remove the two clamps and slide the boot towards you to expose the prize. It's this "plate", with four holes in it. In my case, and the others noted in the thread I linked to, mine was loose. It took four full turns to tighten it back up.


With the plate tight, slide the boot back into position, reinstall the outer clamp, and install a new inner clamp.

My boot was full of power steering fluid, something I don't believe it should have been. I bled the system annnnnd no more spraying, and no more loud pump! Holy crap I just saved a ton of money!

Oops, I read the post incorrectly. silly me.

Disregard.

[Breeves002]

Hey, if it stopped leaking, GREAT news! If not, well if its slow enough just don't let air get into the system and we're A OKAY!