rocky5

iTrader: (2)

I have a problem I've not dealt with before on my previous gs400. Lately I have discovered a power steering leak that goes empty within 24 hours or so. I ran to the parts store on Monday, topped it off and this morning again was dry. Ok, another issue that I'm having, and don't know if it's relative to the ps leak is the huge amount of smoke coming out of the rear mufflers. It's more noticeable when starting the car after it has sat overnight, but also on and off while normal driving. It literally looks like a steam locomotive passing by, I also noticed what looks to be oil/water on the tail pipes

The car does not overheat nor is it losing coolant. Drives fine and gets up to speed like it should (performance isn't affected). Motor itself is dry, no leaks around vc


Any club member has experience similar behavior from their gs?

FrankT

Most likely your rack and pinion seals are blown.
Check there first...

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Thank you FrankT, but i don't see how that may cause the car to smoke...

FrankT

What is it? Steam or smoke?

Cold moist exhaust on a cold morning = steam
Leaking ATF from rack on hot exhaust = smoke

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Please understand that I know the difference between a cold morning start exhaust steam...this is NOT my case. It's white smoke coming out of the muffler, it's abnormal the way it's smoking, plus like I said before, even while at operating temp the car smokes excessively. If you've seafomed your car before, you'd know how much a car smokes, that's a similar comparison to my situation. I know it's not a HG since there's no coolant/oil mixture or brownish sludge, plus the car isn't overheating or losing coolant.

kevin3344

Something similar happened to my GS a few years back. The hose from the power steering pump came loose and leaked fluid all over the motor. The problem is, where the power steering pump is located the leaking fluid also took out the alternator. Although it won't go right away, you might as well get it replaced at the same time. Cost me about $1,500 to get everything fixed and tied up.

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

I've found the smoking issue. Power steering leaks is so bad that the airbox was submerged in ps fluid. Filter is completely soaked thus sucking fluid up into intake manifold

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

I purchased the car last Sunday, so much negligence from the PO owner, how can power steering fluid flow from intake tube into the airbox? Could he have crossed vacuum lines from intake with power steering lines? The car runs smooth and fine with the exception of the occasional smoking and obvious leak

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

I did some further research and found this. Read last post

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Have any of you kind CL members plugged the idle air up valve on the power steering pump?

FrankT

Nice catch.

Untill you replace the air valve you should be just fine pluging the vaccum lines from the intake and looping the leaking valve like this.

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Yes, I read the article here, that pic is also from there
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/beware-po...-valve-246778/

But if the air valve is leaking, it's best to delete the valve and plug it with a 14mm x 1.5 drain bolt. No leaks. Looping it may still leak if the valve is faulty

FrankT

I was thinking in a very temporary solution until said part gets replaced.
BUT...
Yes, a full delete of the valve would require a bolt with sealant. Sounds like that is what you want to go with.
I would suspect that you may not notice a difference deleting the valve.
Let us know how it works out.

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Will do, I will be using neofate's procedure with Teflon tape. I'd rather delete the valve all in itself and not deal with further leaks/ smoke.


Neofate's thread. Credits to him
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ystem-diy.html

rocky5

iTrader: (2)

Update
So I eliminated and plugged the air valve....no more leaks / smoke

The car was sucking a big amount of power steering fluid that prior to deleting the valve, I had noticed a misfire that is still present. I suspect wet plugs. I cleaned the maf with crc maf cleaner, cleaned the pcv valve and seafomed the car. Now onto my next quest on determining this misfire. No codes for faulty maf so I'm praying it's just plugs