Leaking power steer reservoir

[Chappo_1]

Hi all, I have a leak at the power steer reservoir, from the larger bottom hose. When I first noticed it, I chopped the end of the hose off and re-clamped it. This didn’t work, so I bought a new hose, thinking the original one had gone hard, but it still leaks. I have used a spanner to tighten the hose clamp as tight as I dare, if I tighten it any more, it will strip the thread, or break. The rest of the system is in good nick, I just replaced the steering rack, and the pump was replaced about 18 months ago.
It never used to leak, it is a recent development. Has anyone else had this problem? I’m stumped. It is annoying, it drips onto the floor, and runs down the hose onto the pump.

Thanks for any help.

[sweefu]

hey mate i got the same problem too, i havent got an idea either. i know that in my mums vt she had this problem and when she had the pump replaced it stopped, but you have replaced yours so i'm not sure.

[hako]

I had a similar problem and found the plastic nipple on the reservoir had cracked where it meets the reservoir body. I also replaced both hoses before I discovered where it was actually coming from. Perhaps yours is cracked also.

[Chappo_1]

Thanks fellas, I was wondering if there may be something dodgy with the pump, even though it is not that old. I'll have another look for a crack in the reservoir, I'll take it off and give it a good going over.
Thanks again, it is good to have this forum, and get help from people that have had similar problems. I'll report back how I go, it is good to see threads where a result has been had. Often I see threads that just stop, and I wonder how the person got on, and what was the problem in the end.

I started another thread ('Too lean on one bank') I haven't reported back on , because I've been too slack/too busy to get onto the changing my spark plugs, it hasn't been urgent because it runs fine enough and is not chewing through the juice, but I will report back on this one.

Thanks agian, Chappo.

[ScoHar]

Im pretty sure there is an O ring between the res and pump maybe double check this as it maybe leaking making it look like its coming from somewhere else.

[Reaper]

Im pretty sure there is an O ring between the res and pump maybe double check this as it maybe leaking making it look like its coming from somewhere else.

I'd run with that one. Very common on those things.

Reaper

[hako]

Im pretty sure there is an O ring between the res and pump maybe double check this as it maybe leaking making it look like its coming from somewhere else.

The VS has a separate reservoir connected to the pump by 2 low pressure hoses - no "O" rings and both hoses secured by jubillee clips. VR and earlier had the integral reservoir and the "O" ring.

[Chappo_1]

I found no cracks in the reservoir. I put it back together, with a different hose clamp. I started it up and watched the connection. It started to leak a little back past the hose clamp, and out the end of the hose, only very slightly. I cleaned what was leaking out a few times, and then it appeared to stop. I took it for a ten minute drive, and it did not appear to be leaking. Hopefully it was just the hose clamp needed replacing. I will know for sure tomorrow after driving to work and back.

BTW, I found the receipt for when I replaced the power steering pump, what I thought was about eighteen months turned out to be nearly three years! I think this is a sign of getting old when time goes by quicker than you think it is. I think this pump is leaking, it is a bit strange, I can’t get fluid on my hand from the bottom of the pump, but there is plenty on the bottom of the oil filter. I think my next job will to be pulling the pump off for a look see at the back of it.

[hako]

You will find the fluid leaks past the hose connection at the reservoir, dribbles down the hose to where the hose makes a "U" bend whereupon the fluid then drops off and lands on the oil filter and/or the serpentine belt. This complete leak - from reservoir to oil filter - is hidden from view and you have to run you hand along the rear of the hose to find the oil tracks....very tricky! I ended up installing new hoses but after only 2 years they have gone hard.
If you cannot find fluid leaking from the bottom of the PS pump then it isn't.
Good Luck.

[Chappo_1]

I still have a leak from the lower hose on the reservoir. Last night when I got home, I cleaned it up so it was dry and spotless. This morning I checked it before I started the car, and it had been leaking overnight. I’ll see what the steering place I bought the pump from have to say.

[RMXR]

I had a similar problem with the family VS. Try fitting two good quality clamps at each clamping point, and install with the screw adjusters opposite each other (some clamps tend to squeeze a crease into the hose under the screw). Think about the action of that part of the clamp and you'll see what I mean. The two inside faces of the clamp at the adjustment point are pushing towards each other when you tighten the clamp.

I did the double-clamp thing on the VS and there have been no leaks since.

Auto fluid is pretty thin and leaks very easily.

Good luck.

[RMXR]

I had a similar problem with the family VS. Try fitting two good quality clamps at each clamping point, and install with the screw adjusters opposite each other (some clamps tend to squeeze a crease into the hose under the screw). Think about the action of that part of the clamp and you'll see what I mean. The two inside faces of the clamp at the adjustment point are pushing towards each other when you tighten the clamp.

I did the double-clamp thing on the VS and there have been no leaks since.

Auto fluid is pretty thin and leaks very easily.

Good luck.

Just to clarify: By opposite, I mean on opposite sides of the hose (180 degrees apart), not just having the screw adjusters beside each other and facing opposite directions.

Cheers,
Gary

[Chappo_1]

I have been to the steering place and told the bloke working there about the leaking hose on the reservoir. He got a puzzled look on his face, I was hoping he was going to say something like “Yeah, a common problem I know how to fix that”, but he didn’t.

He came out and had a look and commented on how tight the hose clamp looked, and I said I had tightened the shit out of to try and stop it leaking. He said it would have to be the reservoir, the fluid shouldn’t be leaking past a hose clamp that tight. Problem is I am 99.9% sure the reservoir has no cracks. When I took it off, I had the cap screwed on, and blew compressed air through small outlet (or inlet….not sure which way it goes) and had my thumb over the larger inlet. The reservoir expanded with the air going in, and I could hear the air escaping past the cap seal. I could see no cracks anywhere near the large inlet. It was clean and dry, if there was a crack, fluid should have come through when I blew the air in, and been plainly visible on the dry surface.

One thought I’ve got is that maybe the fluid is not flowing through the reservoir freely, and building up too much pressure. It looks like there is some sort of filter in the bottom of the reservoir. I reckon I will price a new reservoir.

I could give the two hose clamps a go (thanks RMXR), but it was OK for years with one hose clamp. Something must have changed.

[hako]

If you overtighten hose clamps they reach a point where they cannot compress the hose anymore and then the hose starts to form a ridge where it is supposed to seal - result is a leak. 2 clamps as a rule will not seal better than one. Also compressed air may not locate a crack in the plastic reservoir as the crack may be extremely small - you can sometimes find fine cracks by thoroughly cleaning and drying the reservoir (outer) then leave for an hour or two with fluid in it then dust the outside with talcum powder - the powder will adhere to the tiniest leak.