Power Steering liquid leeking... advice?

Sov13t · #1 09-22-2006, 10:39 AM

Hey guys,

It happens pretty much everytime I drive... Once i stop and get out of the car my car smells like burnt oil and its the power steering fluid that seems like overflows out of the cap of the power steering tank and unto the engine and other hot parts... Yes there was a previous leak in the power steerin system in my car which I have fixed, I will have detailed photos for this later today but for now I just want to know if anyone experiences similar issues...

My theory is that the cap that closes the tank isnt secure enough and the fluid spills out/boils out? Or do you think something else is wrong... The reason I think its the cap is because when I open the hood after driving... the area on top of that tank is wet with power steering liquid.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help!
-Sov13t.

dcarrb · #2 09-22-2006, 12:02 PM

Mine overflowed around the cap after I overfilled it by guessing, rather than using the marks on the dipstick. The full level is actually pretty low in the filler neck. Start by checking to ensure the reservoir isn't overfilled.

dcb

Crazypolo95 · #3 09-22-2006, 01:08 PM

i have the same thing happend to me. I haved being driving my car for some time cuz of it. I all really got the part but i have not put in on. i hope it was the right part but you can get it for subaruparts.com the part is Hose assembly-pressure.

Sov13t · #4 09-22-2006, 01:12 PM

I will check my liquid level for now, and then will have some pictures posted about it, I am not sure if its a hose or something... this part you bought does it include the actual tank and everything? I am looking at it on Subaruparts its kinda hard to tell what exactly it is.. is it just the hose? or is it the entire upper part of the power steering unit?

wannarace928 · #5 09-22-2006, 01:14 PM

My car does the same thing, actually its because I over filled it. It took me quite a long time to find out the exact problem, I took it to a dealer and they told me the valve below the tank was bad, because it looked like fluid was leaking from there, but in reality it was coming from the cap and leaking down onto the valve. When you turn the steering wheel the fluid level raises to the top and then spills out. I removed some of the fluid with a dropper and problem solved. Might want to try that first.

Sov13t · #6 09-22-2006, 01:38 PM

I bet thats exactly what the problem is now that I think about it... I will have to go check it once i get home.. at work atm.. and I wouldnt dare drive my beauty into Washington D.C. and have it get f*d up by terrible roads and stuff... so Once im home I will let you know about my success on this...

2 wannarace928: So is your fluid below the marker "max" in the tank so that it doesnt leak or is it still around there?

immortal_suby · #7 09-22-2006, 01:43 PM

When the fluid gets low air gets into the system. Air expands when it gets hot, pushing fluid up and out the reservoir cap.
My bet would be to pull the reservior and check the condition of the O-ring. It is the most common source of leaks/air getting into the system. Buy a mixed bag of O-rings at a hardware store and fit the right size one on there to replace it. Check the how-to lockers for details.

GOT2HAVESVX · #8 09-22-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sov13t

I bet thats exactly what the problem is now that I think about it... I will have to go check it once i get home.. at work atm.. and I wouldnt dare drive my beauty into Washington D.C. and have it get f*d up by terrible roads and stuff... so Once im home I will let you know about my success on this...

2 wannarace928: So is your fluid below the marker "max" in the tank so that it doesnt leak or is it still around there?

LMAO, my husband is a truck driver and he hates the DC roads too! I think you are the closest svx to me arent you? I have seen somebody post from Crozet but he isnt "Active" I dont think.

Sov13t · #9 09-22-2006, 04:07 PM

Heheh... I've seen an SVX around Fairfax City around here in Northern VA... but dont really know if the driver is active in this community or not... so I guess the answer would be yes

Bitsandbytes69 · #10 09-22-2006, 04:38 PM

When I first got my '92, it also had a leak from the top of the tank. It turned out to be the o-ring. Changed it and my problems went away!

SVX33 · #11 09-23-2006, 11:52 AM

I had the same problem after I repaired the cooler on my ps. Be sure to do the ps filling and bleeding proceedure listed under How-to-docs. Also be sure to check and refill with the engine OFF. That was my downfall.