is my power steering pump leaking?

[vsowner94]

So i looked at my power steering reservoir today and it was empty so i filled it back up and it went down slowly again, anyway i ended up finding that it is leaking down the bottom onto the big turn thing that turns the belt, (the one above the oil filter) because it leaks off that onto the filter then onto the ground, all my hoses are tight, so im just wondering is it my power steering pump thats leaking? and can i fix it or will i need to buy another power steering pump?

[scvs6]

Yeah its more then likely going to be the power steering pump. But check the pipes that go onto the pump first and make sure they are tight. You can't fix the pump, just buy a new one from repco or get a change over one from somewhere. One other thing that I have seen a few times is people (including me) have changed the p/s pump then the steering rack starts leaking. So watch out for that as well.

[vsowner94]

thanks mate, yeah all the pipes are tight, ahh alright i'll get another one then
would a v8 vn one fit in place of my v6 vs one?? or is there to much difference
in them?? ahh how did ya fix the steering rack??

[scvs6]

thanks mate, yeah all the pipes are tight, ahh alright i'll get another one then
would a v8 vn one fit in place of my v6 vs one?? or is there to much difference
in them?? ahh how did ya fix the steering rack??

Sorry but unfortunately V8 p/s pumps are different to V6 p/s pumps. V8 pumps have the reservoir built in to the pump and V6 p/s pumps are seperate. Has your car got the ecotec V6 because it will be different from the older V6 And for more bad news, if the rack does start leaking, you will need to replace it, you can tell because the rack boots fill up with p/s oil. I'm also pretty sure that pedders supply and fit racks and pumps. Can't remember now.

[vsowner94]

ahh thats quite annoying really, oh well better to get the exact right part
i suppose lol. how does it happen where the rack leaks? like how can i avoid enevitably happens?
it or is it just a force of nature that

[scvs6]

ahh thats quite annoying really, oh well better to get the exact right part
i suppose lol. how does it happen where the rack leaks? like how can i avoid enevitably happens?
it or is it just a force of nature that

One way to try to avoid it is, once the pump is on and your have put the power steering oil back in, start the engine, the oil will go down so top it up. Then VERY SLOWLY turn the steering lock to lock, don't do it to quick because then at the rack it acts like a vacuum and can damage the seals on both ends.

I'm not saying that the rack will definately start leaking, you might be lucky and get away with it. It's just something to watch out for.

[vsowner94]

thanks mate very much appreciated

[VS_Pete_1]

You can get kits.
Holden Commodore VP,VR,VS. Power Steering Pump Seal Kit | eBay
I`d go to holden.
Having said that if you don`t know how to fit them go the pump and put that in.

[vsowner94]

yeah i thought about that mate but i have no idea how
to replace them so im just going to buy the new one and
new power steering fluid on wednesday (payday ) and
hopefully fix the problem

[hako]

From your description I'd say it is probably leaking from where the two hoses connect to the oil reservoir - oil leaks from there and then runs under the hose (where you cannot see) and then drips onto the oil filter and then on the ground....exactly as you describe. Tightening the hoses will not work and if you overtighten you will split the reservoir - you can fix by either buying genuine hoses from Holden (~$40) or buy bulk PS hose.
To check if this is your problem simply feel under both hoses where they exit the reservoir...if they are wet with oil then that's the problem and you save a lot of $$$$.
It's not unknown for dodgy mechs to charge for a reco PS pump when all they do is replace the hoses.

[EDGE3]

Agreed hako,OP check the return low pressure pipe this usually gets warn out because of the engine mounts rubbing onto them which then brakes the braket that holds the pipe against the car,so have a look and feel around the pipe after you have degreased this area.

[justbad4you]

very common

So i looked at my power steering reservoir today and it was empty so i filled it back up and it went down slowly again, anyway i ended up finding that it is leaking down the bottom onto the big turn thing that turns the belt, (the one above the oil filter) because it leaks off that onto the filter then onto the ground, all my hoses are tight, so im just wondering is it my power steering pump thats leaking? and can i fix it or will i need to buy another power steering pump?

[vsowner94]

well my hoses do feel a little wet, especially on the fatter hose that actually goes where the pump is, the end thats in the pump feels quite moist around there but there is more fluid comming out then how much is dripping, because i can see droplets but this it just feels quite moist

[EDGE3]

As I said in my last post it will most probably be the return low pressure hose thats been warn out and a small hole has developed,but I could be wrong but it will be the alloy pipe part of the hose,take that off and check it for the leak,if it turns out to be that then they are about $30-$40,but if you want you can easily fix it by putting a rubber hose over the leak/hole and then clamp both ends of the hose and that will stop it from leaking again.

[vsowner94]

well turns out my hoses are fine, the stuff i thought was p/s fluid was just grease haha the hoses are dry, besides that it drips from a point where the hoses wouldnt drop for it to get there, seems its a seal because from the look and feel of things its from behind/inside the pulley then drips out to the bottom then drops down. so only logical thing is that its the seal, correct?? so i could either try replace the seals or get a refurb pump :/

[hako]

well turns out my hoses are fine, the stuff i thought was p/s fluid was just grease haha the hoses are dry, besides that it drips from a point where the hoses wouldnt drop for it to get there, seems its a seal because from the look and feel of things its from behind/inside the pulley then drips out to the bottom then drops down. so only logical thing is that its the seal, correct?? so i could either try replace the seals or get a refurb pump :/

Not necessarily so.....if it's leaking from the pulley you'd expect it to start to appear on the serpentine belt as it would be flung outwards once the pulley rotates. Also it would leak P/S fluid...not grease.
Re-read my post #10 about checking the hoses from the reservoir - they may appear dry but they leak under the hose and this is only visible with a mirror or running your hand under the hose. You say the leak is not P/S fluid but grease....grease will not drip plus where would grease come from?
We're only trying to save you the cost of a new P/S pump

[vsowner94]

Thanks for the help mate :

I ran my hand along both hoses and the only area where i could feel it a bit wet was on the
fat hose but like right where it goes into the pump, i wiped that area down and its fine, not
wet or anything, I've been feeling the hoses with my hands all along for the past few days
because dad keeps telling me it could be the hoses (instead of checking for me, seeing as my
interest in cars and knowledge journey only started around 5 months ago) and dry the whole time
although i had never felt that wet spot tonight, it hasnt gotten wet again since, and that was a few hours
ago.

Anyway, it isnt leaking as much at the moment. It is under minimum in the reservoir but it stops leaking so bad when it
is about half way (the thick line around the middle) so i have left it there for now.

Cheers for the help mate, very much appreciated

[vsowner94]

BUMP!

Can anyone who has read/ is reading this, be able to tell me if its the hose(s)
or the pump? need to know urgently (tonight)

Cheers

[som]

if you have to change the pump it's probably worth replacing the hoses too so why not think about what others have already suggested and simply replace the hoses first and if that's unsuccessful then replace the pump .