Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

I recently had my car in the shop for transmission leaks. Guy had it for 2 weeks, I went by several times and saw the tranny out on the bench, in the car from underneath (on the lift), and discussed the various leaks, etc. w/ the mechanic (who is a great mechanic, btw). He pointed out several leaks, including the newly "sealed" pan that wasn't fully sealed (thanks dealership "tech" :mad::rolleyes:), and some hoses, etc.

He and his older transmission specialist buddy got it sealed up great and it didn't appear to be leaking at all.

He said that the car was still smoking a lot but that could be ATF that had just absolutely covered the cats, etc. But he also noticed that I had a major power steering leak "somewhere", though, and suggested that it was probably something I could fix myself and save some money.

I got the car back Tuesday. Thursday morning after I left for work, my wife noticed a big pink stain in the driveway where I'd been parked. At lunch I went out to my car in the parking lot and looked underneath and didn't see anything. But the car does indeed still smoke - A LOT!

This morning before leaving for work I checked the ATF fluid - full. Then I checked the PS reservoir - VERY low. In fact I added quite a bit (not sure how much because it was out of a half full large ATF jug). So obviously I've got a major PS leak that's getting on my exhaust, etc. This brings me to my questions for the board:

• Are there notorious leak points I should check? (a couple of years ago I replaced an O ring where the reservoir attaches)
• I'm suspecting one or more hoses so is there a specific type of hose I should be buying from the parts store?
• Is it possible that my whole SVX was actually constructed of semi-solid ATF that continues to melt and leak all over the damned place no matter what I end up paying to have fixed? :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Man, for all of the money I've spent lately on this tranny and all I could've funded a 5 speed swap. That's what's really killing me. <facepalm>:angst:

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

If it's leaking out fast and smoking I would suspect one of the 2 high pressure hoses. They are a dealer only item unless you have a heavy equipment garage in your area that could make one.
The power steering cooler on my '92 is leaking but it's a slow leak near the front with no smoke associated.

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

It better not be that! I just had that fixed a month ago! :eek:

*

I'll have to check that out... they're only ~$25 on Rock Auto (looks like the CRV one SilverSpear posted about).

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

I fixed the power steering hose leak and that seems to have cut down on the smoking a little bit. Unfortunately there is still ATF accumulating at the bottom of the front diff and running back along the tranny pan.

I was thinking I still had a tranny leak until I pulled out of the driveway this morning and heard my power steering motor making a lot of noise. I pulled back in and added a ton of ATF to the reservoir and (of course) the noise went away immediately. I had topped off the reservoir after fixing the hose on Saturday, and actually didn't test drive the car since it was a simple hose replacement (and the leaky hose was very obvious). So this was not quite 48 hours later and my PS reservoir was VERY low.

That's when a little 3 watt light bulb lit up over my empty head... leaking PS rack! The rack is right there at the front diff. If it's hemorrhaging ATF all over the place it could easily be running down the surface of the diff, and get blown backward over the tranny pan.

So now I may need to get my steering rack checked out/repaired!

http://media.riffsy.com/images/853eb...a903394a5a/raw

OMG - THIS CARRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I'm about to give up and buy something less temperamental and less prone to leaks - like a Yugo.

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

Austin, park out on clean pavement, with the engine running but without moving the car, just turn the steering wheel from lock to lock a few times. Putting the system under pressure will usually show the leak. If you can have someone work the wheel while you are looking for the leak. Concentrate looking on the right side of the engine bay, follow the 2 hoses out of the pump reservoir to where they drop down at the back of the engine, in the area of the front diff dipstick. The HP hose has the hydraulic fittings on each end, the LP hose is just generic ATF hose with hose clamps. Use a flashlight and record video while holding your smart phone down there to get a better look.

If you can't spot anything from up above, try to see what you can spot from underneath.

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

What Dave said Austin.....I'll put money on a bad hose, as generally a leaking rack is not such a fast leak, a blown high pressure side PS hose is the most likely culprit... I had one fixed here by a big truck parts place that make hydraulic hoses...was like $25.00 to re-build the hose.....but that hose is a bit of a Pain to install, just hard to get to the fittings.

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

I'd also replace the o-ring under the PS tank while you're messing with it....it's super easy to do, and costs 50 cents...

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

As a matter of fact that just so happens to be exactly what I did, Dave, yesterday evening. Also last night I got under it and confirmed that the rack was free of leaks. Not a drop from the rack...

...


...but...

I could actually see drips from the transmission. So back to square one - looks like my tranny's still leaking. went out to the parking lot at lunch and moved it from the 100% clean space I'd parked in and saw four palm sized pink puddles. Gonna have to take it back to my guy.

I swear I ought to just park it in a bad neighborhood with the doors unlocked and the keys in the ignition. Problem is they'd probably drive it for a couple of hours and park it in my driveway. I should probably just get a gas can and a box of matches.

This car has been a non-stop series of expensive problems. I just ordered $276 worth of parts for EXPECTED maintenance, meaning stuff I don't mind spending money on (timing belt, cam seals, timing pullies, water pump, nice oil filter, etc.). THAT stuff isn't a problem. I didn't mind the leaking brake line - stuff happens. But then all the transmission stuff:

• original tranny - died...
• got a '98 Forester tranny ($150 and a weekend of labor for my brother-in-law who lives out of state)
• installed a rear end I got w/ 4.44s... $100
• rear end makes horrifically loud metallic "CLANG!" and the rear tires stop moving...
• put in fuse to make FWD, no more AWD assurance in corners and wet weather - breaks traction from a stop easily (not what I'm looking for)...
• had dealership install new tranny pan and re-seal $65 + labor
• tranny leaking all over the place, dealership says torque converter seal (and it will cost $700+)
• find a great local guy fixes blown cooler hose $150
• have same mechanic completely remove tranny, all new seals, mechanic even found that the dealership hadn't properly sealed the pan, had to remove exhaust and naturally all the exhaust gaskets crumbled - two weeks getting seals and gaskets - $642 labor, about $200 in parts

This doesn't count the GALLONS of ATF or the THREE times I've had to pay $60-$65 to have it towed.

Then there's all the coolant I've had to buy - again GALLONS in just the last month (not even counting emergency water only times) due to a coolant leak I've got (I'm suspecting a bad water pump). Mechanic pressurized the system and couldn't find any leaks. Who knows.

That doesn't count all the money I would have to pay to make it appear somewhere better than "embarrassing" looking. That doesn't count the likely new 4.44 diff I'll have to get, the new rear control arm I need, the new tires I need, the new cooling fans I need, the rear window that I have currently jammed and taped into place, etc.

I am not exaggerating when I say that the more and more I stew over all the money for nothing with this car, the more and more I want to get rid of it and never look back. Maybe buy some boring econobox Mazda or something. My wife's not happy about it either. It becomes harder and harder to justify having a hobby car as a daily driver, and neither of us wants a leaking money pit as a third car.

And here I used to think our Tribeca was bad!

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

:(

I am sorry to hear about all those, if it were me, and it was a few years ago, though not to that extent, I would manual swap it. more reliable (by far) and that direct response to the go pedal is addicting. lol

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

Yeah, I wish I'd had a crystal ball at the time...

Re: Leaks - big pink puddle - suspect power steering
 

Hey. Where else can you have that much fun and interaction with people and learn a bunch of stuff to boot for only a couple grand?