LexiiBelle

Hello,

The car in question is a 1998 Lexus LS400. I purchased the car with no power steering. On a whim I threw some fluid in it just to see where it was leaking from, and I noticed it was leaking from here:


So I happened across a CL post saying it was likely a seal inside the pump (#2 in this post):
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...0-ls400-s.html

So rather than pulling it apart, I decided to replace it with a remanned pump. The part is installed, fill the reservoir and it's all good. Proceed to the next morning, where the fluid had leaked 100% out of the same spot:



So basically, my question is:

Why is the flow control valve leaking on both the old and new pump? Is it a coincidence and the new pump has a bad seal? Or is there a hose or some other component that could cause this?

TL;DR: This part is leaking on both my old and new pump. Why?

dicer

http://www.cardone.com/Products/Prod...=215143&p=rock

This one looks like there is a seal on that shaft.
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And this one there is a snap ring down in the hole, so there must be an o ring on the part, the o ring on yours is likely leaking.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...668&cc=1316123
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Item # 44343A oring $2.98
http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19107
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So either that pump doesn't have the o ring or it got cut while assembling it.

djamps

Is it a possibility that the system is clogged and the pressure buildup is blowing out the seal? I find it hard to believe old and new pump would have the exact same defect.

LexiiBelle

This is what I suspect. I'm just going to kick myself if it's something outside of the pump that would cause this. Thanks so much for your reply.
That's what I'm saying. If it IS a coincidence, it would be a very unlikely one. That's why I was asking for a second opinion. Thanks man.

dicer

http://www.lexussouthatlantaparts.co...rimLevel=19107
Item 44020 says pressure control with solenoid valve. But that flow control valve in the first parts book posting
looks more like it functions like a pressure relief for the pump, I don't know for sure. I guess you need to pressure specifications and connect a pressure gauge to the system to be sure.

ejthomp

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ystem-diy.html

Pull the solenoid and clean the screen. When I did that on my 97, I found it to be totally clogged.

badua808

are you using transmission fluid in the power steering system?

you can do a pressure reading on the system, but its not an easy thing to do at home on your own if you havent done it before. I've seen reman units fail at first start up so its not surprising. Just try not to over think it. Thomp has a good point.

Fill the system back up between the hot and cold lines on the reservoir dip stick.
Does the system operate smooth and quietly?

LexiiBelle

I am filling the system with ATF.

So, I had my shop warranty out the remanufactured pump and install another. While removing the replaced pump, we noticed the snap ring was missing. The new pump had everything in order, so we installed it with no issues. As we were bleeding the system, turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock, we heard a pop noise. Upon inspection, the cap for the flow control valve had been blown off, presumably by excess pressure.

I'm going to try to get a pressure reading and check the filter at the solenoid. Thanks again for your thanks again for your responses.

dicer

Keep us updated on what you figure out.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Probably a safe presumption is that the prior owner was neglectful and the system has long overdue fluid and debris causing blockage. What was the condition of the fluid when you were bleeding the system? After the pop, any signs of leakage from the rack?

badua808

Not very many parts in the system that would cause a block to increase pressure, its somewhere after the pump that's for sure. I would aim toward the rack itself. Especially since the rack and pinion was ran dry for so long. Theres most likely a restriction internally.

LexiiBelle

Sorry it took me so long to update this thread. The reason being is that I wanted to make sure the repair worked.

I reassembled the "popped" pump, installed a new high-pressure line from eBay (Edelmann 92183 Power Steering Pressure Hose) flushed the system as well as I could and reassembled. All has been well for about a month.

For anyone who may have this issue in the future, I can't say that the HP line definitely fixed this, but my old one was quite filthy, and the part wasn't too expensive..

Thanks everyone for your input!~

python

iTrader: (4)

im done with any aftermarket pump. maval sucks..bbb sucks...cardone-1 sucks. next time i get a pump its oem from the dealer

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

glad you got it fixed

Legender

Thanks for updating the thread with your results. Most helpful. I'm dealing with much the same problem on a 2000 Tundra. Repair shop replaced the PS pump 4 months ago and now it drives like it has no PS at all.