power steering fluid leak, quick fix?

[rezmutt]

Hello All,

 

Concerning my 1998 OBW with 102,500 miles:

 

I've noticed a power steering fluid leak at the pump/reservoir. The fluid accumulates on the top of the block. It's a slow leak, and I only had to add a squirt of fluid once. It's not bad enough for me to go though the bother and potential expense of doing a proper fix, so what do ya'll think about that stop-leak/conditioner stuff? Does it work? Is it a ripoff? Can it cause damage to the system?

 

I haven't read any other complaints about a power steering fluid leak, so I feel kind of special.

[Strakes]

It may work if the leak is the result of an aged seal. Back when I was a poor college student, I had a power steering leak and added KW Stop Leak (the one that works by swelling seals) and the leak went away for about 1 year. Then it returned. No matter how much stop leak I added, the leak wouldn't stop...so I had to fix the seals anyway. All I did was delay the inevitable. The mechanic who fixed the leak said that there was no damage to the mechanical parts from using this stuff.

[sprintman]

1-2 oz's of Auto-Rx or maybe Lucas Power steer Stop Leak?

[Legacy777]

find out where it's leaking. It's probably at the return line to the pump. The rubber hose get's old and brittle. You can just replace that hose, and it usually helps.

 

If you still are leaking afterwards, it's either the seal on the pressurized line or the pump itself.

[lwbeaver]

I had the same problem on my 98 Legacy. The leak turned out to be a O ring seal on the bottom of the reservoir. Siphon the fluid out of the reservoir and then remove the bolt in the bottom of the reservoir and the exterior bolt then remove the hose. Then pull the reservoir up and off. You will find the O ring on the bottom of the reservoir.

[jcniest5]

I fixed mine by way of using regular PS Oil sealer. You won't really notice the difference at first, but after driving for a month or so, it completely stops. Simply drain some PS Oil out until you can empty a bottle of sealer into the reservoir. Hope this helps.

[rezmutt]

Thanks for all the input. I did end up using some power steering conditioner/sealer, and it stopped the leak completely...for a couple of weeks. Now I detect the same leak, though slower. Oh well, I wasn't expecting anything permanent anyway. Sooner or later I'll get around to doing a proper job. Probably later.

 

Peace,