HELP! 1991 Celica steering fluid leak

[bex381]

Please help me! I tryed to drive my Celica the other day and it made a horrible noise when I turned the wheel so I jumped out and noticed that my fluid was out completely! I topped it up and went for a drive round the block and when I came back a load of it had leaked all down the outside of the ps fluid container, and I'd lost about half of it. When I turn the wheel with the hood up it really churns up the fluid, pumping it all round the container. I left it for over a week on the driveway and there are no signs of any further leaks.
I need to get it fixed but the mechanic said it could be as much as $1800 (NZ)! Considering the car only cost me 1600 I REALLY don't want to do this!
Can anyone give me any pointers? (P.S I don't really know anything about cars!)
Thank you!

[liplip]

It could be just the high pressure hose and it costs less $100.That's what i heard is a common problem with 5th gen celica.My dad's mechanic friend took off the leaking hose and put the new one in less than 5 mins.

[GTSTWINCAM]

a new hose here in the US is about $40 US dollars...

[MR2 Guru]

Same item costs $140 for a ST165 (88 All Trac).