car only leaks power steering fluid in cold weather

[twocamrys]

Last winter, my 1998 Camry started leaking power steering fluid at a very slow rate. I kept an eye on the levels and only had to add a tiny bit of fluid every week or two. Once the weather warmed up in the spring and summer, the car stopped leaking power steering fluid completely. My car is once again leaking power steering fluid at a slow rate now that the weather is turning cooler. Why does the temperature have an effect on how quickly the power steering fluid leaks?

Last winter, I took the car into two different mechanics to get estimates on fixing the problem. One mechanic said that only the pump needed to be replaced and the other mechanic said the rack and pump were both faulty. I do not know who to believe and didn't want to pay another mechanic for a diagnostic fee. Since the leak is very slow and I am not experiencing any steering noises or problems, which is the most likely cause for my leak? Is there any risks associated with using Lucas Stop Leak or similar products? I can afford to replace the pump but replacing the rack and pinion is too costly. I do not like the mess the leak is making in my garage so I'd like to do something to slow the leak or stop it. Any advice would be appreciated.

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"twocamrys"
1998 Camry LE 4 cylinder (106K)
1996 Camry LE - SOLD

[carsrus]

Cold weather = seals contract.

Suck out everything the reservoir and fill it with Lucas power steering stop leak. The stuff works miracles.

[JohnGD]

It's always a good ideal to siphon out the PS fluid in the reservoir and refill with new ATF once a year or every other oil change. This keeps the junk in the fluid low so the ATF doesn't become too abrasive.

If Lucas PS Stop Leak helps, then just run with it. Otherwise you should be able to see where the ATF is leaking and tell if only the pump or the rack body need replacing. There is also a PS pump seal kit for about $20 if you can rebuild your own. This kit of course doesn't include the pump shaft if a groove is worn into it by the seal spring.

I'd recommend refilling the reservoir with Mobil-1 (use Advance Auto coupon code to get it close to $5.6/qt). Or use Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V. It's better than plain dino Dexron III.

Lucas:
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/dis...tid=9&loc=show

[aj_s21]

twocamrys,

I have the same problem with my 1998 Camry V6. Power Steering leaks only in winter. Lucas stop leak is of no help. What did you end up doing?