Stemmer

Lexus told me over the summer I had a power steering leak and recommended a new pump for $920. I posted about it and the general advice was to keep an eye on the reservoir level - I did and did not see it dropping so I ignored Lexus' recommendation. Had my oil changed at Toyota today and they also noted a small leak. I will look at the level, but can I use Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak - is it compatible with my RX? I previously used a hand pump to drain from the reservoir and refilled with ATF Dexron III.

99rx

iTrader: (6)

I would just swap out the fluid and maybe add a little bit of the Lucas. Sometimes the Lucas can do more harm than good. If I remember I will go out and take a picture of my PSP tomorrow and show you what most of our pumps look like. They all look like they leak, but I have never had any PSF on the ground, and never had any PS issues. So inspect it yourself and keep an eye on the reservoir level.

Stemmer

Thanks for the reply. I never see any on the ground, I forgot the term the Toyota mechanic used but it was something to the effect of it being very small - something like some oil residue from around the power steering area. It sounds like any of these stop leaks have downside so if I'm hardly losing any fluid and the steering is fine, I'm not going to mess with it and will keep an eye on the reservoir to make sure it's staying around full. Thanks again.

hypervish

Don't use the Lucas, I'd stay away from stop leak's and additives.

Like you said, just keep an eye on it. I'd think about maybe switching to using Mobil 1 ATF for the power steering fluid.

chachacha

Stemmer - why dont you give the "AT-205 Re-seal" a try...I heard good things about it and it may be a good $10 try before spending $920 if that the case

hypervish - no offense...it's just my opinion

hypervish

None taken. I was just adding my two cents, he doesn't have to collect!

salimshah

How about service kit to repair the pump?

Salim

Stemmer

Salim, would a service kit repair a leak? As an example I found this kit. It seems to only make a claim of preventing a leak from developing.

http://www.wynnsusa.com/pdf/spec-she...rvice-kits.pdf

chachacha, thanks for the recommendation - this ATP product does seem well reviewed. A definite maybe.

salimshah

Thats not it.

Try googling Lexus Rx300 + steering pump + kit

The kit would have seals (at minimum) and bearings.

Lexus uses vane pump, so a rebuild will require measurement of vanes.

In all repairs, one has to figure out the root cause, If it is seals, then replacing them would work. If it is the shaft, then one has to rebuild the shaft. If it is a cracked shell, then a repair kit will not work.

Refurbished pumps are available and some one has done the work for you.

Salim

lexus114

look at the bright side, you will always have fresh power steering fluid in your reservoir.