2002 Ford Taurus power steering

FORDTODD

MEMBER
2002 FORD TAURUS

2002 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

2002 taurus power steering has been whining. Was told had a leak in a high pressure hose. Now is begining to get real hard to steer. Have searched for leak and couldnt find one but was still losing fluid. Noticed after car was shut off fluid is coming out of vent in the cap and frothy? I think what was originally thought was a leak is where it is coming out of the vent in the cap. They saw fluid on various areas and assumed a leak. So what would cause it to push back through the cap after engine is shut off

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

The froth is proof there is air in the system, this will cause both the whine and hard steering, The rack can leak inside the dust bellows at the ends of the rack, remove the outer clamp and see if it leaks, it can leak at either side, but most common is the drivers side, and it can be a hose as well, look for any wet spots on the hoses.

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Friday, February 5th, 2010 AT 7:58 PM

FORDTODD

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1 POST

Thanks Merlinhavent checked the rack but I think what I thought was a leak is actually where im losing fluid through the vent in the cap after shut off. What would cause the fluid to come up out of the vent

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Friday, February 5th, 2010 AT 9:01 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Over fillig ususally does it. If you do have a leak it must be pretty small, the aerated fluid is expanding, and the pump itself could be the problem. Power steering is a high pressure hydraulic system, so if there is a leak, it usually drains very quickly! Your pump on the other hand can be aerating the fluid and lost most of it's pumping ability, like a bad heart!

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Saturday, February 6th, 2010 AT 7:40 AM