So Im driving home from work tonight..loving the new pads and rotors and I smell this burning. So I stop cut the truck off and go to looking. I open the hood and there has been almost a fluid explosion in there. Now I know a little looks like a lot but this mess is everywhere on the drivers side of the engine compartment. It was also leakin all over the ground. Of course my first thought was brake fluid..I figured I had messed somethin up earlier today but I checked the master cylinder...full. So my next thing is checking all fluids...smelling each one because there was no doubt of the smell of the leaking fluid.
I got it narrowed down to power steering fluid..its a little low and it kind of pulsates when I turn the wheel.
Now what are the possibilities of what could have happened here? I think there are only two hoses, a pressure and return hose..Im hoping its just one of those.
Its just wierd because there is fluid all over the cap, its almost like too much pressure got built up and it just all blew out of that vent on the cap.
Are there any common problems?
Thanks folks

 

Yeah, I've had caps blow off two of my Ford vehicles. My Ranger and my Taurus, maybe a tad to much fluid with a full lock turn one way, I'm guessing that's what it'd be. I've also seen fluid shoot out of that vent when someone turns the wheel to full lock with the engine off.

 

"someone turns the wheel with the engine off."


Edited slightly, but that'll do it, but usually only if it's rolling. I don't think it'll do it if sitting still, unless you are Popeye.

My experience came when the tensioner pulley bearing froze, which threw the serpentine belt off and I turned slightly to get of the road.

I suggest you check that your belt is tight and that the tensioner is not fully extended (meaning the belt is stretched). Use a 15mm wrench on the tensioner pulley bolt to see how extended the tensioner is.

 

I think we have a verdict...I almost ran out of gas last night. I was pointing up a hill and all the gas went to the back of the tank. So I knew if I backed down the hill and turned it to the side it would get some gas in there. I rolled it back and turned it full lock. So what do I need to do? Fill it back up and keep truckin or what? Its just wierd because the line is soakin wet half way down. Could that pressure have blown a line?
Thank you guys for the help

 

that's retarded. rack and pinion.....gosh i can run my chevy no problems w/ the powersteering off.

I had hit my "loop cooler"....the powersteering cooler. I think you can see it in my avatar. Anyway..it bent, and then started rubbing against the hardlines. which in turn created a tiny tiny hole in the cooler line. when i was checking it out, no leak...all of a sudden....ATF all over my face. good times.

Check the resevioure(however you spell it). fill it up, and to a series of figure 8's.....that's the easiest way to bleed it for me....don't go full lock though. After that...check out your lines.

 

Ya that sounds like a plan ^^ Im gonna fill it up..clean it up somewhat and see if i can figure out somethin. Im just hopin one of the lines aint broke...im so pissed at myself more than anything.

 

i doubt you blew a line you would notice it shooting out as the pump runs even at idle

power steering fluid is nasty to work with kinda like doing a tranny flush

 

i got PS fluid everywhere when i turned the wheels while the truck was on a lift..

im with Zach though, have fun its some nasty stuff to mess with it just gets everywhere

 

wait until you SAS it, what a freakin mess, not to mention the power steering boxes are heavy.

I finally got mine on then come to find out the box was junk, had to do it all over again.

 

i've flushed mine a few times, i've had a preview lol

i'll just do my steering with electric actuators no more PS fluid. haha jk

 

that would be interesting to drive down the road....