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Car Forum / Honda Cars / February 2006URGENT: NEED AN ADVICE!!!!!
Hi, I have a 1996 Honda Accord (Canadian Version, Automatic)...today when driving to work, and whenever I stop on a red light...I find that smoke is coming out of the hood...not sure why.. I kept driving and when got to work...I popped the hood..and smoke kept coming up...I checked the engine, everything seemed ok...the brakes and brake fluid are also ok.. but what caught my eye is that the PowerSteering "reservoir" was empty (which never happened before..and it was always at the recommended level) I still don't know what's the problem...but there is an oil leak from the car...and this is the only thing that I can tell that was leaking...since I can trace the route I was taking in the parking lot (I can see an oil line where the car was going)... so I can tell that I had a leak in the power steering lines somewhere....and the leak is kind of in the middle of the car...a bit towards the passenger side... so my question is...how that would affect the car...is it safe to drive it without power steering fluid to the mechanic so I can fix it..or I better fill it up first and then drive it? is the power steering fluid connected or have anything to do with the engine?? I would really appreciate your quick replies... Freddy, If you must drive the car, then you must prepare for power steering no longer being there, or suddenly going away. If you must take it on the road again to get it from A to B (hopefully a shop), and I urge first going to an empty parking lot, practicing parking and turning, etc., for five minutes or more so you know how much effort is necessary. The steering system is designed to operate without power steering. It just won't operate as easily. The fluids of the power steering system and engine systems do not overlap. What they do have in common though is that the engine crankshaft drives the power steering pump, via a power steering belt. With you standing at the front bumper, hood up, the power steering pump should be on the right side of the engine, near the driver's side headlight. (I will double check this in a minute.) Unfortunately power steering system pipes go places not easily seen, so someone has to get under this car and inspect for where exactly the leak is. Google for {"power steering" emergency} or similar for more quick info. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Freddy, > The fluids of the power steering system and engine systems do not overlap. > What they do have in common though is that the engine crankshaft drives > the power steering pump, via a power steering belt. Important note: The power steering pump can be destroyed by running it without power steering fluid. I would disconnect the power steering belt and then drive the car to a shop. Cut the belt off, if you have to. That pump is very expensive. www.slhonda.com will have an illustration of these parts, should you not be able to locate them quickly. You can try adding power steering fluid, but I doubt it's worth it. The stuff leaked out before, and it's going to keep leaking without a mechanic's attention. The smoke is from PS fluid leaking onto hot engine or exhaust parts and burning. Drive cautiously to the shop. If possible, use back roads. Stay off the highway. <SNIP> > so my question is...how that would affect the car...is it safe to drive > it without power steering fluid to the mechanic so I can fix it..or I [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Freddy, ---------------------------- Don't start the engine without putting some fluid in there. Pick up a couple bottles and check it often. You are supposed to use Honda fluid, since it's special. You could substitute 'FOR HONDA' type if that's available close by. 'Curly' > <SNIP> If it is smoking, then the power steering fluid may be coming out the high pressure hose as a fine spray onto something hot. This fluid can catch fire so be careful if you add fluid without fixing the leak first. Thank you all for your responses... I did drive the car without adding any fluid..since the "reservoir" had some left in it...the ride to the mechanic was like a 10 minutes maximum..but the car was "smoking" all the way there... anyways..the steering wheel did operate "normally" until I reached the mechanic..where I felt it a bit harder the moment I was turning the car to park it in front of his shop...so I left the car there and I will pick it up tomorrow...I didn't wait to see what's the problem since the mechanic is a friend of mine..so I left the car and left....I'll update you with more info tomorrow... Freddy, well the problem was the line that connects the left and right side of the power steering piston on the rack... the leak originated there...and now it is fixed...it seems the mechanic changed the line and now everything is ok...it was a matter of $150...(he mentioned that if he didn't have a "spare" line, I would have had to buy a new rack for that matter which would have costed around $800...how credible does that sound to you???) thanks again... > well the problem was the line that connects the left and right side of > the power steering piston on the rack... [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > have had to buy a new rack for that matter which would have costed > around $800...how credible does that sound to you???) I can't be sure without knowing exaclty what part it is, but he might be correct. What might have happened is he cannibalized a part from an old system. This part may otherwise only be available by purchasing a new rack. $150 sounds like a bargain for fixing a serious PS leak, though, either way. "Freddy" <zfreddyzzz@gmail.com> wrote in news:1139672169.752509.243280 @f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com: > well the problem was the line that connects the left and right side of > the power steering piston on the rack... > > thanks again... http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate= 5&catcgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1996&catcgry3=2DR+EX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5 =P.S.+GEAR+BOX You mean item #2? It's available and cost $4.60 from Majestic. |
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