Thread: Leaking PS fluid

As the title states, I'm leaking power steering fluid and it's more than a drip. Problem is I can't tell where it's coming from. I cleaned off the whole area with brake fluid and nothing leaks when the engine is running. I even turned the wheel multiple times and no drips. However, in the morning when it's cold there will be a small puddle about the size of a donut under the car after about 10 minutes. Seems like once the fluid is warmed up wherever it's leaking from the seals expand and it stops. I guess I'm gonna have to go out there and freeze my a** off to find out what is going on. Any guesses on where it's leaking?

Another strange issue I'm having is my key fob wouldn't work in the morning so I thought the battery was going dead and replaced it. Next day, same thing. I keep the key on a hook in the garage and thought maybe the cold is affecting it? Sure enough, the next day after keeping the fob in the house overnight it worked the next morning. What could be going on there? None of my other fob's hanging out there have issues.

I got under there again and true to form I couldn't find a leak. I pushed, pulled & prodded all the hoses and nothing. I guess I'll just buy stock in ps fluid and keep it topped off until either something blows completely out or the pump blows up because I let it run it dry.

I would think it’s got to be the pump seal then. Loosen the belt and see if there is play in the pulley. Another issue I have seen is a crack in the reservoir. Usually where the low pressure line inserts. Regardless if you are certain the lines are good then I would replace the pump and reservoir.

I think you may be on to something here. Today when I started the car the pump was making a screeching sound that went away once it warmed up (yes, the fluid was full). I saw some droplets on the rubber hose going into the pump and on the metal one underneath. None of which looked like they were leaking from the connections. There was a more pronounced drip coming from the bottom of the pump but never thought it could be the pump itself leaking. I did replace this pump a couple years ago so i guess it's possible I got a bad one. Not looking forward to replacing it again.

the rubber hose splits at the nipples base. theres enough room to cut the last inch or so off and re clamp it on there.

id take the pass wheel off, remove the splash guard then wash it down with brake cleaner from the top and bottom, then fire it up and wait for the leak to show its face.