Friday, August 03, 2007 - 06:55 pm, by: Ben Kelly(Ace)
picked up my car today after new transmission was put in. found terrible grinding when turning the wheel and correctly suspected a power steering fluid leak. Upon inspection half the front end of the engine bay has power steering fluid all over it, the fluid is bubbling and foamy when the cap is removed..and there are some small cracks in the hose. Now obviously i ask these guys the deal, it was perfect as far as i know before i took it in. Well they said they noticed a leak and all they did was top it up for me....im confused, there is still plenty of fluid in the reservoir system but it doesnt seem to be in the pump unit. Whats happened here? any thoughts would be appreciated.
Friday, August 03, 2007 - 08:53 pm, by: Ben Kelly(Ace)
yeah i know! thanks peter. but anyone got any ideas on what the hell these guys did? im thinkin that somehow they got a heap of air into the p/s system which has caused multiple breaks on the hoses, foamy fluid etc. why the hell would they need to touch it for a transmission change? Im currently not sure whether to chase them for the damage or get fixed elsewhere.
Friday, August 03, 2007 - 09:39 pm, by: Darryn Dewar(Mrphreak)
I think it'd be more likely the engine moved (Either tilted to get access or wasn't supported while the tranny was out or something) which caused the hoses to crack......Guessing it's on the high pressure side if power steering fluid is everywhere?
Friday, August 03, 2007 - 09:52 pm, by: Dave Rose(Sand_groper)
Ben...I think you are right about air in the p/s perhaps they got mixed up as both trans and p/s pipes are along the front of the engine , if they flushed the g/box maybe the wrong pipe was disconected?. it could be a good time to flush your p/s and get rid of the air.If its leaking at the back of pump at all take Peters advice .DR
Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 12:22 pm, by: Lew Radbourn(Marlew)
Ben; when you change a trans over in the V8 you have to jack the front of the motor a little and heaps higher when extractors are fitted this will place stress on the power steer hose (from the res to the pump)and quite a few times i have done it the hose has been that hard it snaps in 2 pieces. when this happens the fluid is out and air is in. the pipe is only 20 odd dollars from toyota.
as pete has said above mate don't let the oil get in the alternator it will blow the diodes in the back and then you are up for a new one $400 odd dollars
Monday, August 06, 2007 - 06:35 pm, by: Ben Kelly(Ace)
Thanks for all the timely help, much appreciated. Today got the power steer pump replaced at a cost of $300. Well it appears that the source of the problem might relate to the power steering fluid being topped up with WATER! at some stage...sheesh. btw the mechanics said werent able to flush all the fluid out but got most of it out...i thought it was an easy job to flush (?) anyways its all working but noisy and a bit foamy...so looks like i suddenly got my agenda full for sunday.