Power Steering Fluid Leak

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BWR - 24 Mar 2006 02:01 GMT

I have a 1988 Mazda MX6 Turbo which runs beautifully. Just this past
month, a groaning noise started as i turned the steering wheel, which
lead me to check the power steering fluid level. The level was down and
there was oil underneath the fluid resevoir. I took the resevoir out,
checked it for wholes, cleaned it up put it back in, the problem
continued. I then took the hose at the bottom of the resevoir whcih was
farely brittal and replaced that, sitll no difference. I then asked a
local mechanic who said it was probably a problem in the pump and that
i shouldnt try and fix it myself being that i am only 16. Took it home,
started work on taking the pump out. Got it out, got a new pump,
replaced it, and the return hose from connected to the pump. Everything
was looking good, but it still was leaking right under the front right
bumper. The only thing i can think of now is changing the high pressure
hoses... any suggestions?

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Comboverfish - 24 Mar 2006 07:04 GMT

> I have a 1988 Mazda MX6 Turbo which runs beautifully. Just this past
> month, a groaning noise started as i turned the steering wheel, which
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> bumper. The only thing i can think of now is changing the high pressure
> hoses... any suggestions?

I think you're on the right track. The high pressure hose coming off
of the pump is very likely leaking at one or both of it's crimped ends.
P/S fluid can even creep up the hose and deposit itself on the
resevoir/framerail area if it's leaking past the hose crimps. The hose
is probably really close to the RF bumper area, right?

Of course the pump is really really close to the RF bumper area.
Assuming that the new pump is not leaking, you still should make sure
the two fluid pipe banjo fittings are tight but not overtorqued, anf
that you used new sealing washers during the pump replacement repair.

Finally be sure that the H/P hose is routed away from any sharp objects
where it is mounted on the frame rail. Take engine flex into
consideration, especially if you accelerate hard like the 16YO with a
Turbo FWD car that I used to be! (OK, I was 18 -- close) :)

Toyota MDT in MO

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NickySantoro - 24 Mar 2006 17:14 GMT

>I have a 1988 Mazda MX6 Turbo which runs beautifully. Just this past
>month, a groaning noise started as i turned the steering wheel, which
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>bumper. The only thing i can think of now is changing the high pressure
>hoses... any suggestions?

I'd get some engine cleaner and really clean the whole area where you
think the leak is, then have someone turn the wheels back and forth
all the way to put a load on the PS. You might be able to spot the
leak that way.

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BWR - 25 Mar 2006 04:26 GMT

In frustration, took of the whole front bumper to reveal a pipe leaving
the resevoir to go in a loop away from the engine block, and then
returns near the resevoir to continue its path. I believe this is for
cooling of some kind. The pipes were rusty, and you could clearly tell
that it was where the leak was from. Cut out the rusty part of the pipe
and replaced it with a rubber hose, leak has stopped runs great! thanx

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Comboverfish - 25 Mar 2006 06:34 GMT

> In frustration, took of the whole front bumper to reveal a pipe leaving
> the resevoir to go in a loop away from the engine block, and then
> returns near the resevoir to continue its path. I believe this is for
> cooling of some kind. The pipes were rusty, and you could clearly tell
> that it was where the leak was from. Cut out the rusty part of the pipe
> and replaced it with a rubber hose, leak has stopped runs great! thanx

That is a P/S cooler line, but it wasn't present in the diagram I was
referencing. The cooler pipe design is found primarily on asian cars;
it usually is plumbed into the return side hose and sits below the
radiator in the path of airflow.

Glad you found the problem.

Toyota MDT in MO

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