Hello all,

I am slowly trying to fix the gremlins in my Disco 1.

I noticed a somewhat large power steering leak on the pavement as I was leaving work today. I know it is the power steering because the p/s reservoir is very low. I can hear the whine of the p/s pump as I try to turn the wheels.

Is the p/s pump known to be leak prone? I notice the end of one of the hoses connected to the reservoir is glisening with p/s oil, however the hose body is not "wet". Can the p/s build up pressure while the motor is running that would evacuate the oil? I really don't want to throw a new pump at this problem as they are around $360. When the fluid level is properly filled, the p/s pump works just fine. No noise and wheels are easily turned.

Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Yes this is a VERY common problem, on all Discoveries.
New hose clamps will fix the leak.
Make sure that you are only using Dexron III in the P/S and NOT power steering fluid.
Any hose clamps will do.

 

I picked up some GM powersteering fluid from the Land Rover Parts Department..
Simply because of the "Anti Foaming" part of it..
I figure it is just DEXIII with antifoaming..

Correct me if the Land Rover people were wrong..

 

Yes, that is WRONG!
GM does NOT use Dexron in their power steering systems, they use power steering fluid.
First generation Discoveries and the Range Rover Classic and the NAS Defenders all use Dexron III, which is GM transmission fluid.
So if you put GM power steering fluid in your DI power steering system you need to flush your power steering system and add the correct fluid.

Now with this being said, DII's and the new Range Rover all use GM power steering fluid, which is just power steering fluid.

 

Its just sitting on the table next to me...
Been to cold to actually do the flush..

Friggin Parts guys..
Good thing I have the receipt.

 

Whats a make for the Dexron III? Is Valvoline synthetic all right to use?

 

Yes Valvoline is ok to use.
Just use a major brand, Mobil, Valvoline, Castrol, etc.

 

I am a bit baffled. I parked the car in the driveway and started it up about 1 hour after I got home to pull it in the garage. No more whining noise. I checked the p/s fluid and it was just above the min mark. I was certain that it would be lower than that, especially with the noise the p/s pump was creating. Over the past week or so, I have been topping off the fluid. Maybe it is the pump going???

I will change the clamps and maybe the hoses.

Thank you.

 

You may have had a air bubble in the system and now it is gone so the nosie went away.

 

So i should be able to get away with just clamps and not hoses? Or (since I need to do this on both my 95's) should I replace hoses as well as safe measure.