When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just discovered another power steering pump related leak last week after The Big Freeze. I found some brownish fluid on the ground after moving my car and determined that it was most likely power steering fluid. I took it to the shop and they indicated that the leak was the air control valve which they said is supposed to help keep air out of the fluid. (This is new to me.) The valve is #13 in the diagram below and is part number 17630-16040.
Firstly PS fluid should never be brown. That is an air idle up valve it allows more air into the engine when you turn the wheel quickly. Maybe you misunderstood what the shop said if they actually think that is to help keep air out of the power steering system that's a red flag to me.
The guy's English was not great and the phone connection wasn't either, so I could have misunderstood. It wasn't dark brown but tinted a little, like old oil. Definitely not engine oil.
What is the purpose of the power steering pump to allow more air into the engine when turning the wheel quickly? That doesn't make sense to me.
What is the purpose of the power steering pump to allow more air into the engine when turning the wheel quickly? That doesn't make sense to me.
Car not moving engine at idle, you turn the wheel quickly this loads the engine RPMs drop. The valve compensates for this. Is it necessary? Not really but Toyota and Lexus used this system for a very long time.
Make sure the shop replaces the fluid with Dexron III compatible ATF. NOT power steering fluid.
Interesting. That somewhat sounds familiar.
I didn't even think to point out to use Dexron III compatible to them, they're usually pretty good about sticking with Toyota parts/fluids.
Is the leak due to fluid leaking from the valve or is it due to the hose/clamp connections? These valves can be cleaned with throttle body cleaner and reinstalled. The power steering hoses and connections tend to leak with age as the rubber hoses dry out and crack. Maybe you are just due to replace your hoses and fluid?
It is really hard to tell, as I never got the chance to look at the actual leak. The owner showed me the valve and I couldn't see what was leaking. I'm pretty sure that I am due for a power steering fluid flush. The mechanic said that he was going to replace the clamp since he believed that it was part of the problem also.
It is really hard to tell, as I never got the chance to look at the actual leak. The owner showed me the valve and I couldn't see what was leaking. I'm pretty sure that I am due for a power steering fluid flush. The mechanic said that he was going to replace the clamp since he believed that it was part of the problem also.
Make sure your mechanic uses spring clamps a-la OEM, rather than the crappy worm-drive clamps, especially if the valve bibbs are plastic. OEM clamps require that any hoses replaced have the identical OEM ID and OD measurements.
I took it to the shop and they indicated that the leak was the air control valve which they said is supposed to help keep air out of the fluid. (This is new to me.) The valve is #13 in the diagram below and is part number 17630-16040.
There are two valves. One is easy an "Cheap" and leaks fluid. The other one is on the pump itself and is expensive (You need to replace the entire pump or buy a used pump and take it off)
I think your problem is with the easy and cheap one. You can watch this video and see what the deal is:
There are two valves. One is easy an "Cheap" and leaks fluid. The other one is on the pump itself and is expensive (You need to replace the entire pump or buy a used pump and take it off)
I think your problem is with the easy and cheap one. You can watch this video and see what the deal is:
