Tracking down the latest leak

[Huskymaniac]

Once the weather cooperates, I can wipe everything down and get a better look but it looks like there is fluid on the power steering rack. I'm just not sure if it is coming from the rack or something else. I can definitely smell it burning when I stop at a light. It looks like I get a couple of drops a day from the leak. Hopefully it won't get worse before I can get a better look.

[icingdeath88]

Try and see what color the fluid is. If it's p/s or atf then it will be pink and you'll have an idea of what it could be. There are trans fluid cooler lines that run above and nearby the steering rack. A trans leak is something that you definitely wouldn't want getting out of hand. Check fluids regularly until you've got it figured out.

[dcarrb]

Old Subarus mark their territory. Mine have leaked something from somewhere as long as I've had them, in spite of hose and gasket and seal replacements.

Could just be a loosened hose fitting. Then again, I had to replace a very leaky rack at somewhere around 170,000 miles (and the other is losing PS fluid now), and that doesn't seem so extraordinary for such an aged daily driver.

dcb

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

Old Subarus mark their territory. Mine have leaked something from somewhere as long as I've had them, in spite of hose and gasket and seal replacements.

Could just be a loosened hose fitting. Then again, I had to replace a very leaky rack at somewhere around 170,000 miles (and the other is losing PS fluid now), and that doesn't seem so extraordinary for such an aged daily driver.

dcb

The car has 105K on it so I would hope it isn't the rack but I'm just not sure. The leak seems to have gotten a little worse. I'm getting a nice sized spot on the driveway daily now. Like I said, my mechanic said he saw fluid on the rack but he probably isn't aware of the transmission cooler lines running directly above it being a known problem. So here is my question today, what is the easiest way to determine if it is the cooler lines versus the rack itself? Should I put dye in one or the other?

Tom,

Did you replace those cooler lines when the car was down? I know you replaced a bunch of lines but I can't remember if those were among them. If so, maybe I should just replace the clamps on them and see if it stops.

[Hocrest]

Do you know which side it is on?

The easiest way to figure which is leaking is to check the fluids.

[dannmarr]

If you can get under the car, use a flashlight. Look at the highest clean wet spot and the closest to the front of the car. Fluid will drip down and spread towards the rear while driving. This is how I found my leak. It was a hose clamp.