fj40ih8mud

Thought I smelled oil on the way home last night with the top down in NOVEMBER in Kansas City, listening to the ROYALS fight song on the radio, celebrating our World Series victory!

Popped the hood, and found oil all over in front of the engine. Even in front to the pass side of the radiator!

I replaced the timing belt two years ago, and don't recall if I did the crank seal at that time, from quick research that seems like the only thing that would be in that area. The fans really blew oil all over, so can't see the source.

My plan is to take off the bottom cover, clean everything off, unplug the fans, then run the car to see where it is coming from.

From the color of the oil, see picture of the tissue, I am thinking motor oil; however, the oil if full. (maybe caught the leak soon enough) Anything else have the brown color?

Bgw70

How is the power steering fluid level?

It will stain the reservoir so badly, you cannot see the level, and it may be brown unless it is fresh.

fj40ih8mud

Great thoughts @bgw70

I am suspecting power steering now, as after the washdown, I see no engine oil on the engine area.

How is it best to test the steering and make it leak? I started it with car on jackstands, turned the wheels back and forth, with no major leaking.

I did hear it squeal some after the cleanup.

Next question is where to get a new pump and what should I change if I have to swap pumps? Should I replace the high pressure hose too?

Bgw70

first you need to confirm where the oil is coming from...check the reservoir level by shining a light into the reservoir to see the fluid.
Top it off, place the car on the ground, start it and turn the wheels left and right to each end.

If you still see no leaks, consider flushing all of the fluid from the power steering system, trust me, it is filthy.

There are threads on this subject, with pictures.

This is a messy procedure, use plenty of towels and/or rags.
I removed the PS hoses from the reservoir and removed the reservoir...it was difficult but I was able to use a screwdriver and rag to clean out the inside of the PS reservoir. The dirty fluid was stuck to the walls...

Back to the flush
The car is jacked up,
I placed the hoses into or over a drain pan, then proceeded to slowly turn the wheels left and right until the fluid stopped coming out. Reconnect the supply hose and fill the reservoir then turn the wheel left and right again until the fluid stops coming out.

Reconnect everything, refill the reservoir, clean everything up, lower the car and start it up.

Turn the wheels left and right again, fill the reservoir until it at the correct level then go drive the car.
Check for leaks.

fj40ih8mud

Crazy thing... I can't make this thing leak again. Drove it 10 miles hard came back, dry as a bone.

Bgw70

Do you think the dip stick was not seated all the way or the power steering cap was loose?

We're any of the levels low or did you need to add oil anywhere?

That is odd in a good way! It fixed itself, ;-)

Coleroad

My thoughts, a pressure control valve got stuck shut on the power steering. It then blew oil out, then the valve broke loose. Seen it happen on older cars.

Bgw70

Good call Cole, that sounds logical and certainly possible...he really should drain the PS system.

fj40ih8mud

Yeah, I suspect the Power steering, those hoses were the most wet, and the PS pump is dirty with oil and dust.

The level on the PS fluid is at the low mark. Oil in the engine is sitting fine.

I drove it the most today (about 40 miles), no drips from engine bay.

Pressure control valve makes sense. Sounds like a time-- bomb --- when will it do the blow off again??

Wonder what a pump costs? Is that a Aisin part stock?

Bgw70

If the flush the PS system you may be okay...it's a messy job but worth it if you save the pump