power steering leak.

[cali+Mocasho+]

for the past few months my car smokes after it warms up. thought it was oil but i already torn down the valve covers and checked the front main and no oil leak.The powering steering pump is covered in what looks like oil but im sure its the steering fluid. I have not had a good chance to look yet but where would be a common place to start leaking. already had to top off power steering fluid. Thanks!

 

[rubydist]

The return hose goes to a metal fitting, which is fastened to the pump. The metal fitting has an o-ring seal where it meets the pump. I have had a couple of these cars where that o-ring was all hard and shrunk up, and it would leak. The other possibilities include the return hose itself leaking, the pump seal leaking, the pressure side fitting or hose leaking.

 

[cali+Mocasho+]

Thanks for the reply ill give em a check when i can. <S>

 

[itwonder]

Removing the RF fender liner improves access to inspect that area. The leak could be: the pump itself, old hardened reservoir feed hose leaking where is hooks to the pump, pressure hose fitting where it screws into the top of the pump.