Thursday night I had my tensioner pulley melt and fall off(bearing shot). Had the truck towed home and drove it maybe 300feet to get it into my drive way. I replaced it today and noticed that there was some fluid on the hood bottom and all over my brake lines inside the engine bay. The fluid is power steering fluid. It looks like it shot out of the cap somehow. Anyway is this a problem because I drove the truck without a serpintine belt or do I have another problem? The truck was very hard to steer without the belt on but is fine now.

 

IF you turn the wheel without the ps pump running, the rack will force fluid into the reservoir. Once it over fills the fluid will spray out of the vent cap. You need to purge the air out of the rack by driving slow and turning lock to lock. Then check the level. BTW its mercon ATF not power steering fluid.

 

Okay thanks. How slow will I need to go? It is tough to turn my tires (33" TSL) when going slow.

 

Let the truck idle. Ride the brake if you wish. When you turn the wheel and hit the air. The wheel will have a lot of resistance. Just keep going untill it feels like normal. Dont forget to check the fluid.

 

You just need to be moving so it will be easier to turn the wheel.