SVX Network Forums Live Chat! SVX or Subaru Links Old Lockers Photo Post How-To Documents Message Archive SVX Shop Search |
IRC users: |
#1
|
||||
|
||||
Tracking down the latest leak
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.
__________________
Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
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.
__________________
'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
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 |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Quote:
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.
__________________
Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Do you know which side it is on?
The easiest way to figure which is leaking is to check the fluids.
__________________
Dave - 03 Baja - 92 SVX - 86 Brat - 08 OB 3.0 |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
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.
__________________
Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter Subaru SVX for fun Hyundai Veracruz for the wife. Susuki SX4 for my older son Ford Ranger for work Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips, EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community. |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Huskey,
I had a leak from the transmission lines above the rack. It was leaking onto the axle which was throwing all over everything in the area as it spun, including the steering rack. The area is very inaccessible, i had to bring it to SVXFiles to repair since I just could not get it from above or below. What he did was remove the wheel and axle which gave more room to get at it.
__________________
1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Quote:
I had a small leak for awhile from my P/S lines, and then I figured out it was the hose when it gave while snow drifting and pissed ATF all over the snow.
__________________
1992 Dark Teal LS-L w/ 165k+ miles (traded ) Mods: Power Slot front rotors, polyurethane sway bar bushings, window scratcher fix, SPD hood struts, Outlaw Engineering phenolic spacers, Bontrager Works 22mm rear sway bar, R-134a conversion, 93 Legacy SS 5 speed swap, Ceika coilovers, ARP head studs 2001 Black Toyota Sequoia (hauler/daily) 1992 Blue Toyota Cressida (drift car) 1992 Red Toyota MR2 (weekend/track day car) |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
When my rack was replaced, the mechanic didn't slip the hose all the way over the lip were the clamp sits against. It didn't leak right away, but with time it started to slip off the hard line.
__________________
Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter Subaru SVX for fun Hyundai Veracruz for the wife. Susuki SX4 for my older son Ford Ranger for work Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips, EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community. |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Finally had a decent day and some time. I took off the cover under the engine so all drips would just fall freely to the ground and I could isolate exactly where it was dripping from. I took a large cardboard box, unfolded it and taped some paper towels to it so I could see the fluid color. By far, the largest leak is coming from the passenger side fitting for the transmission cooler in the radiator. I'm guessing it is the clamp as OT replaced the lines with new ones. So now I need to figure out what to do about it and how. Should I just tighten the clamp? Should I replace the clamp and, if so, do the old clamps come completely off or do I need to remove the line from the fitting? Is it possible that the current clamp compromised the line such that I need to replace the line too? If I need to pull off the line, how much fluid should I expect to need to catch?
I suppose it is possible I have other leaks too but this one is by far the worst and most likely causing the majority of the oil spots on the driveway.
__________________
Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#11
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Quote:
If the "tongue" of the clamp has buckled/kinked, it might be preventing the clamp from evenly clamping the hose. I only use high quality hoses, so the hoses should be fine. you should remove the old clamp so that is not a future problem. If you do remove one end of the hose you should expect to loose a pint of ATF unless you are quick.
__________________
www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Quote:
__________________
Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
#13
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Clamp a hose pliers on the line to prevent loss of fluid or you can use a vise grip with a rag to prevent damaging the hose. Then you can work without rushing.
__________________
Father of 5 sons and 1 daughter Subaru SVX for fun Hyundai Veracruz for the wife. Susuki SX4 for my older son Ford Ranger for work Mercedes Benz Sprinter for vacation trips, EZ GO Golf cart for driving kids around gated community. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
I just replaced every hose on this vehicle, and those transmission hose above the left cat can be accessed if you take the wheel off and get a long extension and a 8mm socket. I would replace those hoses with some power steering line from autozone, that you can buy by the foot. The transmission leak from the radiator that you are talking about is probably the fitting and not the hose, after I changed my hoses that fitting was leaking.
|
#15
|
||||
|
||||
Re: Tracking down the latest leak
Quote:
__________________
Tony 1996 Polo Green Subaru SVX LSi, 168,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF, Redline 75W90 gear oil, K&N HP-4001 Oil Filter, Mobil 1 5W50 FS (3qt) and 5W30 High Mileage (4qt) Oil Blend, Motul RBF600 Brake Fluid, AC Delco A975C Air Filter, NGK BKR6EIX-11 plugs, Centric Rotors, Power Stop Evolution Carbon Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads 2005 Gray Acura RL, 165,XXX miles, Redline D4 ATF with Lubegard Platinum Protectant, Mobil 1 5W20 High Mileage Extended Performance Oil 2009 Red Toyota Venza, 123,XXX, Mobil 1 5W30 High Mileage Oil 1992 Red Ferrari 348 ts, 82,XXX, Redline everything |
|
|