Just got back from a ski trip about 200 miles up into west va, and was really happy overall with the truck and have a quick question.

We got in late Friday and I let the truck sit cold until this morning when I started it for the drive home. When I started it I noticed a lowish whine when I turned the steering wheel. It stopped about 10 minutes into the drive but then started again once I got into town.

It's the same noise my BMW used to make when it was low on power steering fluid, can i assume that is what is going on here? If so, does this have to mean there is a leak?

I have not yet flushed the power steering fluid so I don't know what is in there right now, what is the safest type to add until i do a full flush?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

So, plan on a 4 quart p/s fluid flush and a bottle of Lucas p/s stop leak to free up you valves. When was the last time you changed all the trucks fluids????

 

Update: Definitely a leak of some sort, came out this morning and there is some red PS fluid on the ground. I bought the lucas PS stop leak on the way into work this morning.

Im not seeing a write up on a power streering flush, where would I find that?

 

You are the 4th person I have had to reply to regarding Lucas. It is a great product but does not stop external leaks but internal one.
Go see if you can find a bottle of Whit Shepherd p/s stop leak, if it is not a hose, it will stop bad seal leaks.
Send me your number and I'll walk you thru what to do, and read the label next time before you buy something, it will save you a lot of money.

 

Mike,

I appreciate you giving me a call to give me some guidance on this PS leak. I am out in Denver a few times a year, I owe you a beer next time I am out your way.

My number is 703.338.5028.

Some background for the call.

The leak seems to be coming from under the pump, I am dropping the plate underneath the engine down in an hour or so on my lunch break to see if I can get a better idea of where it is coming from.

The truck sat cold at a ski resort for 36 hours and I noticed the slight whine when I started it so I guess the leak had something to do with the cold weather.

I read in the other post that the pump is still working if the reservoir is still "bubbling" and mine still is.

Near I can figure, I am losing about 2-3 Ounces a night for the past 2 nights when the truck is sitting.

Thank you again and I look forward to chatting soon.

Best,
Ben
703.338.5028

 

Hi, experienced same problem yesterday. Getting ready to pull pump, but what did you end up doing??

I have a nice leak from the PW S pump, yet to see if its a hose or ???

 

Usually it is the center gasket near the bottom of the pump. I have mine rtv'd together for a while now with no leaks. With these pumps you are wasting your money using lucas or white shepherds. I learned that lesson the hard way.

 

I did just now take off pump using RAVE manual, and it was a breeze. Did not take off fan, no problem.

Mine was leaking from either the bottom hose or the pump body. I too took it apart, cleaned it and silicone it. New hose, and new drive belt, and we should be ok.

 

UPDATE:
Resealing (using black silicone) the pump cured the problem. The pump noise was caused by it sucking in air while in operation. No stop leak would have fixed that. Disco drives great and makes no noise.

I used Valvoline Max Life (clear fluid), and it took exactly one quart to top it off, but with bleeding the system, I would recommend having two quarts on hand.

Not taking off fan made putting the pump back on a bit more difficult, but not too bad. Make sure you read RAVE manual.

Thanks Mike and others for the posts!

 

Do you have to take the drive belt off to get to the pump? Does it just come out from under the 4 bolts on the top?