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My daughter's 2001 RX300 (170K with alot of NW Winter rust underneath) is leaking PS fluid. It's wet below the alternator and the reservoir was almost empty. First pic below is through the wheel well. Second pic is from above looking past alt pulley. Looks like its coming from the line pointed at by the red arrow. Anyone dealt with this before?
You will have to take the pump out and see. The fluid just spreads all over.
Hose connector can spring a leak but most of the time it is the seal. Time to purchase a refurb or new. The pump can be serviced but it will cost more.
Thankfully the leak is not from or near the pump. Pump is dry. Return side (low pressure) is leaking at the front of the metal hose that runs along the subframe rail behind the wheel. It's where the metal hose meets rubber hose that bends upward to the reservoir. Tried new clamp but as seen in picture it still leaks.
Wish you luck as the pumps do not like to run dry. Vane pump has fins which are in an offset circle cavity. As the pump spins, the vanes move in and out and squeeze the fluid when the chamber gets small.
If you install a replacement, make sure you prime it well. I have seen many folks who just put one in and turn the engine on. The first minute or two you hear scarring noise and it takes half the life away.
Update... I bypassed my leaking PS return tube with about 3 feet of PS hose. Left the old tube in place and zip tied new hose to it. Doesn't look great - but I don't care.
Originally Posted by salimshah
Wish you luck as the pumps do not like to run dry. Vane pump has fins which are in an offset circle cavity. As the pump spins, the vanes move in and out and squeeze the fluid when the chamber gets small.
Luckily my pump never went dry. What I meant in earlier post was that the pump area was dry. Leak was not near pump.
With the engine running you could see fluid dripping from a connection between rubber hose and metal tube. The pic in post #4 of this thread shows where where it was leaking - see the new hose clamp I tried first. Turned out the leak was from the metal tube.
09-10-18, 06:57 PM
Power Steering Leak
