Okay so the car FINALLY got some much needed brakes today at XAT and as I was going to leave the power steering started making noise. I got some help from one of the mechanics(sorry man, I forgot your name) and he said he thought there was a slow leak somewhere in the system and there could also be air in it. So we bled all the air out of it and topped it off with fluid and I headed on my way with what was left of the bottle, which was only the last little bit, and instructions to just to top it off when I got home and check it again in the morning.

Well it wasn't making noise as bad until I was just about in my driveway as the sound started to get a little bit louder. I pulled in and let the car cool down as I topped it off. The fluid was boiling or bubbling...hard to tell but I wasn't about to stick my finger in it to find out. After dumping the rest of the fluid into the reservoir I went inside.

About an hour and a half to two hours later I was headed out again to pick up an emergency bottle of fluid and go meet up with some guys at the local meet when I walk into my garage and see the giant puddle of fluid on the floor and under the car...it looked like all of it. I was PISSED! It wasn't leaking that bad before and I have no idea what happened from the time I got home to the time I walked back outside. When I popped the hood to check the reservoir it was bone dry. I don't know what to do.

I can't drive the thing to XAT like that without burning up the PS pump right? I'm afraid I'll just be wasting my money if I go get more fluid to fill it up, it'll just pour right back out again. I can't see where the leak is coming from and I don't really know where else to look. PLEASE HELP ME! Any suggestions or advice on this situation would be greatly appreciated!

 

Anyone....? Any ideas?

 

trace lines look for leak inspect rack look for leaks, unsure if the pump will burn out relatively quick with no fluid.

Find leak apply duct tape where needed until you can get replacement parts or fixed.

 

Well, my assumption would be.

If the fluid leaked out while the car was sitting, a non-pressure leak has opened in the system. I would follow both lines from the bottom of the reservoir to their respective places, and look for cracks in the line. Shouldnt be too hard.

 

What type of things should I be looking for if it's a non-pressure leak? I mean if it was just a crack in the hose it would leak out even under pressure correct?

 

i will not claim to be sure on my comment, just a suggestion.

I would suggest wiping everything off so its dry, and refill the resevior some, and look for leaks.

its not uncommon for the feed and return lines to the reservoir to crack over time.

 

Still stumped and my frustration level is at an all-time high right now. Anymore suggestions?

 

well, you need to calm down.

you havent offered anything in response. what problem solving steps have you taken so far?

 

i would just put some more p/s fluid in it and start up the motor and see where its squirting out... wether its pressured or not the flow will still show you where the leak is. if you want you can call us or any local shop and we would be more than happy to help you out.

 

Mission accomplished! After searching for what seemed like forever I put everything back together and realized that the main PS hose had been resting on the intake pipe which had gotten hot and melted the rubber hose. This was such a stupidly easy fix I fell like a jackass for not seeing it sooner. After a quick trip to Discount to get a new hose and some heat wrap I have a nice temp. fix. I still need to find a way to get the intake pipe out of the way of the hose but I think this will do for the time being.

BIG thanks to Roberto for all your help man. I appreciate it. It's reasons like this and guys like you that are the reason I surf these boards multiple times a day. It's nice to have a group of people online that share the same passion as you do with cars, but have a little more time behind a wrench to give you the advice and guidence needed to get out of a jam. Thanks again everyone!