So, to start this off, I've noticed a leak at the rear of the truck when parked in the garage. Hasn't been a large leak, but enough to notice when the wife pulls out and goes to work. This has been going on for the last couple of weeks. Now, don't gripe, but I haven't had the time to crawl under the truck and see where it was coming from, we are busy all the time. Now, I have to make time.

This morning, my wife was pulling into work and the ACE warning light comes on and dings at her. She doesn't tell me. I meet her for lunch and she then tells me it came on because it came on again when she pulls into the restaurant. So, I'm doing some research and figure out that it is the ACE system. I have her check the fluid (she's back at work at this point) and it's low. I know it needs power steering fluid in it. She's going to have a co-worker take her to the parts store to pick up some fluid for it.

So, I'm going to guess, but could the leak at the rear of the truck could be the ACE system? There are no other leaks under the truck. The leak in question is passenger side, rear axle location. The fluid looked pretty clear, not dark or dirty at all. How hard are these things to fix when it comes to the ACE system? I have done most of the work on this D2 (second owner) with the help from this forum, so I can turn a wrench. I'll crawl under the truck this evening to try and really locate where the leak is coming from and hopefully get a picture or 2 to help.

Thanks in advance.

 

yes. lines go from the pump over to the passenger side frame and travel to a valve block located on the outside of that frame rail.....from there fluid is dispensed to front and rear actuators on the axles. passenger side is covered with ace hydraulic lines. a lot of pressure there and it can be deceptive to find a leak......it can spray. if you have trouble, get some uv dye and add it to the fluid.


not uncommon to find leaks near the valve block


also you can pull the fuse and swap the belt to non ace......your truck will ride like a cj, but you will not be pumping fluid

 

Like dusty said all kinds of fun stuff to leak in the rear passengers side of ACE.


Here is a pic from RAVE of the pipes/ components > Land Rover Workshop Manuals > Discovery II > FRONT SUSPENSION > DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION > ACE system component layout


And please use the right fluid > ACE And Power Steering Fluid Range Rover Sport

 

Thanks Dusty & Rover. That diagram will help a lot! I believe my leak is somewhere in the area of #20-23. Like I said, I'll check it out as soon as I get off of work and get it home.

From what I've read, I can use power steering fluid from the local parts store. I saw a lot of threads on here during my lunch break where it was advised regular power steering fluid was fine, and I didn't need the expensive OEM fluid.

 

I have been using regular lucas power steering fluid for years.

 

OK. That's what I thought. Thanks.

 

sidenote: last time I had a leak in the ace, it was spraying on the exhaust and my truck caught fire.....yikes

 

It's not a real British vehicle unless it catches fire at least once.

 

Well, at least that's the worst that could happen. Added PS fluid and got it home. No warning lights or chimes went off... Other than mi amigos, that is. I'm waiting for it to cool off a bit before I go exploring underneath it.

Oh yea, on the way home just rolled over 199k miles. 👍

 

hmmm, maybe lucas electronics just get a bad rap. could be all the fire damage to the wires..