S30ZG

iTrader: (5)

Instead of letting it sit you could just turn the steering wheel to full lock a couple times while someone else checks for leaks. I did that just to make sure that it was leaking from the particularly suspect spot on the line. Just make sure to have some rags ready if it starts gushing pretty badly.

91LS400LEX

OK! I think I know whats leaking! I am going to post photos below!

I went out and the fluid is fresh where I mentioned before. Also, the hose that runs out of the back of the PS pump is wet with fluid. There was this thick insulation type of stuff over it and it was wet. I went ahead and pulled that mess off.

The hose appears to move on the nipple when I move it, so I dont know if its leaking there at the connection or the hose itself?

Here are some pics... any advice / info?

Here is that mushy pad that was over the hose...


see the fluid?



I think its coming from this hose on the back of the pump...



the rack dont appear to be leaking...





Also looks like fluid had NOT been leaking on the alternator...


Does anyone agree that this hose looks to be the culprit and what is it? Hard to replace? Thanks!

91LS400LEX

in supplement to the above post...

...is this that hose? According to a diagram I looked at, this is the return hose and basically any 3/8 hose will work.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...;parentId=46-0

The hose is really cheap, so I will probably go ahead and replace it anyway.

S30ZG

iTrader: (5)

so its leaking from the rubber hose that's connected to the PS reservoir? The power steering pump is underneath that silver cylinder.

91LS400LEX

Yep, it seems to be leaking there... I will replace it later today and see.

Amskeptic

Allow me to chastize you most severely for going off on these cars and complaining about expensive parts when a more thorough diagnosis in the beginning might have saved you/us the aggravation.

Indeed you can post many pictures and draw others into the speculations about where the leak "seems" to be coming from. But, you and we do not really KNOW what is going on until you go find out what is wrong. Leaks suck, yes, oil all over. But you will NOT know where it is coming from unless you clean the heck out of everything and then look for fresh indication. It is an unavoidable fact of life. So get into it and enjoy the process (you have actually wanted to clean that mess up for some time).
The return hose is a cheap easy fix, the pressure hose is an expensive fix, but you might be learning that the expensive hose is actually pretty well constructed (and it rightfully hates a mess on it, as do coolant hoses that rot from oil spatter).

Most repairs I have found to be the result of improper maintenance. Then a cascading series of unintended effects make your life miserable.
My first (1990 LS400 bought from the dealer in '96) Lexus gave me 100,000 completely trouble-free miles. It felt like an appliance, so reliable as to be boring.
My second (1992 LS400 bought in June '09) Lexus here has kicked my butt to next Tuesday as I try to reverse 17 years of lousy maintenance, but boy, I like this one. That tells me that participating in its care is good for bonding.

May I invite you to not merely barely fix things as they come up, but wade in deeply, be extremely thorough, clean/detail the entire repair environment, initially assume that whatever goes wrong is actually extremely simple and stupid, and remember that a $250.00 p/s hose is half a car payment that many people are saddled with, driving around some new piece of trash depreciating right out from under them.
Where's my morning coffee?
Colin

91LS400LEX

Thats some good advice there!

I am going out now to try to replace the hose and bought REAL hose clamps! We will see.

91LS400LEX

Update #50....

Got the return hose off. Man, it looked easy, but was a PITN! Its a tight area unless you remove the air filter housing, but I managed to get it off. The hose was so hard and dry it just crumbled and I had a hard time getting it off of the nipple on the reservoir. I had to end up cutting the hose behind the nipple, then fight to get the remains off of the nipple.

I simply bought 10 inches of 3/8 hose at an auto parts store. They had a listing for a return line for a LS400, but it was $11., which is cheap, but he said the regular hose would be fine and it was only 1.90.

I got everything cleaned back up AGAIN, as this made a terrible mess as all of the fluid came out of the reservoir. I started it, turned the wheel several times, let it run for about 15 minutes and NO leaks - at least so far. I am going to go out in about 3 hours and check it again and then I will know, because it had been leakin within a few minutes. The steering turns so much easier now and the shudder is gone.

I will report back later.... I HOPE and pray to the good Lord above this solves the problem!

91LS400LEX

5 hours later and no leaks! I hope it stays that way!

#51 - I started it again and moved the steering from side to side, side to side and still no leaks. Obviously it was that hose. Had I known that, I would have changed it two years ago.

Here are some pics... its still nasty looking, because with what I had to clean with, but it was enough to get rid of most of the wet fluid that had pooled up.

The new hose and the areas were I was seeing drips is now dry....



the old hose was hard as a rock...


re-routed vac line....


plugged idle-up valve...


no fresh drips...


Now my car needs a good wash and wax! Its has moss growing on it and grease, or should I say transmission fluid...






I am hoping this is the end of this issue, as least for awhile.

Thanks for all of the replies and advice!

S30ZG

iTrader: (5)

omfg. Wash your car ASAP!!!!! how long has this car been sitting for????

91LS400LEX

3 weeks.... Its been wet and rainy here as well.

S30ZG

iTrader: (5)

no way. Thats what happens to a car in washington in like 3 months!

91LS400LEX

Well, I should have added that its been under Loblolly pine trees and bamboo.... and we have 100% humidity. lol. It dont take long on a white car. It didnt look like that last time I drove it... in fact, I gave it a really good wash a week before I parked it.

tromly

Send some pics when you get your car washed and waxed. Glad the repair is finally finished.

91LS400LEX

Thanks. Well, I actually drove the car about 45 miles today- still no leaks at all, so it was definitely that hose. Like I said, I wish I had of know it was that simple, I would have changed it along time ago!

Well.... I still have that "shudder / vibration" sensation through the steering wheel on some low speed turns (which was even doing before the plugged idle-up valve). I can also hear it, but its faint... its kinda like a flutter. I am guessing it could be either the screens are dirty on the pump and/or rack, OR there could be air in the lines, etc. I have really not seen this mentioned by anyone else being an issue before.

YES, she is definitely getting a bath on Sunday evening as soon as I get a chance!