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Power steering losing fluid

Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 FORD AEROSTAR
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I replaced the power steering but now I have to fill it with fluid every time I drive it and after the first five miles it starts smoking from under the hood and fluid is gone. What is wrong with it?
Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 8:00 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You have a bad power steering fluid leak what did you replace and why did you replace it?
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 3:04 PM
Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I had to replace the whole pump the van had sat outside for over four years. The whole pump and pulley were bad so replaced the whole thing.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 3:35 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So you had no leaks before this? Did you see if the new pump is leaking or any of the hoses you had to disconnect reconnect is leaking? Also, it should not be that hard to find if it is leaking that bad.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 3:43 PM
Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
I have completely inspected all the hoses and the pump I even cleaned everything real well and cannot find any place the has fluid on it after running the engine. It has really baffled me and I cannot afford a new pump not to mention the cost of two bottles of fluid every other day. Also, there is never any fluid spots on the ground from it leaking so where is it all going?
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
It has to be going somewhere. I have seen it leak into the rack and pinon boots before.
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
So what exactly do I do to fix this problem that is not going to cost me hundreds of dollars?
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Sunday, January 7th, 2018 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If it was leaking into the rack and pinon boots you would have to replace the rack and pinon.
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Monday, January 8th, 2018 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
You might not see the leak until you put a load on the steering system. Have someone else turn the steering wheel either all the way left or right and gently against the steering stop, until the steering wheel will not turn any further and then look for the leak. The pressure should buildup a bit more at the steering stop so it will leak more and hopefully be visible. Just don't press too hard against the steering stop.
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 AT 7:26 AM
Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Thank you I will try that right now thanks again!
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 AT 7:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,904 POSTS
SATURNTECH9 and PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO are our best!

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, January 11th, 2018 AT 3:03 PM
Tiny
BRENDA MCGRAW
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
One of the clamps on a hose was not tightened down by mechanic and until I did as you suggested with a helper and the steering wheel you couldn't tell that's where it was leaking from so thank you very much now that the that;s been fixed everything id working great again thank you so very much sincerely brenda n.
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Friday, January 12th, 2018 AT 4:15 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
You are welcome.
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Friday, January 12th, 2018 AT 6:49 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Sounds like it was the return line leaking glad you got it fixed. Please tell all your friends about it.
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Friday, January 12th, 2018 AT 10:20 PM

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