Leak Question - Powersteering? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

unkit · 10-07-2007, 05:24 PM

Hi Guys

I've got a very small leek somewhere in my car. It leaves a small stain underneath the extreme right hand side of the car when i look at it. (Australian model). The fluid seems to be transmission fluid (P/s fluid)/. Also, my oil level on the P/S was fairly low.

I have two questions:

1. Anyone have any ideas on what part of the p/s might be leaking?

2. If I don't get it fixed for about 2 months, is it likely to kill the pump or box? (obviously i'll keep the fluid topped up) - and if it is, which part is it more likely to kill?

Qslim · 10-07-2007, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkit

Hi Guys

I've got a very small leek somewhere in my car. It leaves a small stain underneath the extreme right hand side of the car when i look at it. (Australian model). The fluid seems to be transmission fluid (P/s fluid)/. Also, my oil level on the P/S was fairly low.

I have two questions:

1. Anyone have any ideas on what part of the p/s might be leaking?

2. If I don't get it fixed for about 2 months, is it likely to kill the pump or box? (obviously i'll keep the fluid topped up) - and if it is, which part is it more likely to kill?

As long as you keep plenty of fluid in it you won't have to worry about damaging any parts, the leak will just get progressively worse. Common problem areas are the pump and the pressure hose.

xet · 10-07-2007, 05:36 PM

just to let you know mine has been leaking on and off sorta for a good few months and just topping my power steering fluid every once in a while, my mechanic says it is ok till i replace it

Black95Cam · 10-07-2007, 06:11 PM

mine does the same exact same thing too.. it finally ran out yesterday and had to fill it back. on my, it seem like its leaking out of the return hose.

unkit · 10-09-2007, 03:38 AM

Thanks for the replies...

One other question, how do i figure out where it is leaking from? Knowing my luck, it probably won't be one of the cheaper parts, but if it is, i don't wanna risk damaging the more expensive ones.

You guys are always so helpful. This forum is awesome.

Unco · 10-09-2007, 03:54 AM

hi mate, best thing you can do is give the power steering pump, hoses and reservoir a good clean out. get some degreaser and spray it on all the parts i mentioned, then rinse it down with warm water. then take it for a drive to see where exactly it is leaking from.

power steering fluid doesn't just leak from one place alone, so it is impossible for someone on the internet to tell you where it's leaking from exactly. you need to look for it yourself.

sometimes it's easier to take it to a workshop and have them degrease it and steam clean the affected area. depending on your communication skills, you may be able to have a mechanic do this a little or no charge as it's not really a big job for them. the advantage of taking it to a workshop to have it cleaned is that they can put the car up on a hoist and work on it from underneath with much easier access to the affected area.

unkit · 10-09-2007, 06:45 AM

Thanks for that, I'll give degreasing it a go. I degreased the top part of the engine bay a few weeks ago, but I just tried getting underneath the car. The grease is still there from when the CV joint broke on the RHS. I can't see a thing....

Is it possible to get a pic of the ps pump when looking at the engine bay from the top? (just so i have an idea of the really important parts to clean)

Unco · 10-09-2007, 06:54 AM

5S-FE or 3VZ-FE?

Black95Cam · 10-09-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkit

Thanks for that, I'll give degreasing it a go. I degreased the top part of the engine bay a few weeks ago, but I just tried getting underneath the car. The grease is still there from when the CV joint broke on the RHS. I can't see a thing....

Is it possible to get a pic of the ps pump when looking at the engine bay from the top? (just so i have an idea of the really important parts to clean)

hey im on the same boat as ya.. but i have both side caked with grease. i did find one leak as stated before and i wonder to myself if there is leak coming from the pump itself..

unkit · 10-09-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unco

5S-FE or 3VZ-FE?

5s-fe - The engine bay might look slightly different as its Australian built...

Is there a REALLY heavy duty degreaser? The normal degreaser seems to have no effect on actual greese - though it works quite well on oil etc.

Unco · 10-09-2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkit

5s-fe - The engine bay might look slightly different as its Australian built...

Is there a REALLY heavy duty degreaser? The normal degreaser seems to have no effect on actual greese - though it works quite well on oil etc.

well, my parents and my camry are both 3vz's, so i can't help you with pictures. i'm in brisbane btw.

if you want to degrease it yourself, get the stuff that comes in 2 or more litre containers and brush it on the affected area, let it soak for a good 5-10 minutes, then brush some more on and let it soak again. repeat until all grease is gone, then rinse it down with warm water.

unkit · 10-10-2007, 08:27 AM

4l of degreaser later, the greese is still there....., guess i shouldn't have bought the "5 star" stuff.

I topped up the fluid 4 days ago, and I don't think it has decreased at all... if its not the p/s is there anything else on the RHS that could be leaking? I'm no longer sure if the liquid was just extremely dirty ATF or engine oil...

Black95Cam · 10-10-2007, 06:36 PM

give its some times and check back on the PS fluid. It might just be a small leak and there is a chance it might grow into a bigger leak. Thats how mine was. hopefully its the hose(s) that are leaking...

Unco · 10-11-2007, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unkit

4l of degreaser later, the greese is still there....., guess i shouldn't have bought the "5 star" stuff.

I topped up the fluid 4 days ago, and I don't think it has decreased at all... if its not the p/s is there anything else on the RHS that could be leaking? I'm no longer sure if the liquid was just extremely dirty ATF or engine oil...

you gotta take your time with it. use a paint brush and work at it.

unkit · 10-11-2007, 04:42 AM

The only place I can see full of greese, I can't access without jacking up the car, and i'm not sure if its worth the risk getting under it with the jack. So far, i was just spraying and praying.

I think I'll just bite the bullet and pay a mechanic to degrease it.

BTW, isn't transmission oil supposed to be bright red? Mine is sorta colourless.... It looks like faded engine oil... My service book says the last owner had it changed at 160 000km, i've now got 250 000. Shouldn't it be in okay condition i.e. still red after 90 000km?

Thanks for ur replies guys.