Leaking Power Steering Liquid

ECA90049

ECA90049

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Have an appointment to take E9 into to get looked at this coming Wednesday. Was leaking clear liquid on the drivway. Thought it was brake fluid. But checked the brake fluid and it was full, but when I checked out the power steering container, it was empty. That's what is all over my driveway. I need to refill it to get it to mechcanic. What fluid do you all recommend to refill? Any help, advice, or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, E
 

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ECA90049 said:
Have an appointment to take E9 into to get looked at this coming Wednesday. Was leaking clear liquid on the drivway. Thought it was brake fluid. But checked the brake fluid and it was full, but when I checked out the power steering container, it was empty. That's what is all over my driveway. I need to refill it to get it to mechcanic. What fluid do you all recommend to refill? Any help, advice, or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks, E
Click to expand...
While you can always rely on sfDon's advice, your picture may suggest other problems.

You mention seeing "clear fluid" on the driveway. Look closely at your power steering reservoir and there appears to be some "red" liquid left. This may indicate you have something other than power steering fluid on the ground. Obviously, the power steering reservoir needs to be filled . . . but perhaps you need to do some more detective work before driving the car.

Assuming your mystery fluid is not water from the cooling system, windshield washer or air conditioning condensation, carefully check your brake fluid reservoir again. Assuming you have a manual transmission, could you be leaking "clear" brake fluid from your clutch master or slave cylinder? On the same subject, your brake fluid reservoir cap is hardly sealed in your photo and needs attention.

Whatever transmission type is in your vehicle, could it be the source of your mystery fluid? Although unlikely, it is possible to have uncolored mineral oil in a manual transmission. It is improbable but perhaps possible for auto transmission fluid to lose its red color after many years.. Or, maybe the fluid on your driveway is actually red - but merely looks clear when viewed on the ground?

One last thought about your mystery driveway fluid, could it be clear "fuel?"

Better to be safe than sorry. Best of Luck.





ps-fluid-jpg.141633
 
Filter is below the perforated round plate in the photo. Read here on how to top off the fluid and get air out of the system.
 
tochi said:
While you can always rely on sfDon's advice, your picture may suggest other problems.

You mention seeing "clear fluid" on the driveway. Look closely at your power steering reservoir and there appears to be some "red" liquid left. This may indicate you have something other than power steering fluid on the ground. Obviously, the power steering reservoir needs to be filled . . . but perhaps you need to do some more detective work before driving the car.

Assuming your mystery fluid is not water from the cooling system, windshield washer or air conditioning condensation, carefully check your brake fluid reservoir again. Assuming you have a manual transmission, could you be leaking "clear" brake fluid from your clutch master or slave cylinder? On the same subject, your brake fluid reservoir cap is hardly sealed in your photo and needs attention.

Whatever transmission type is in your vehicle, could it be the source of your mystery fluid? Although unlikely, it is possible to have uncolored mineral oil in a manual transmission. It is improbable but perhaps possible for auto transmission fluid to lose its red color after many years.. Or, maybe the fluid on your driveway is actually red - but merely looks clear when viewed on the ground?

One last thought about your mystery driveway fluid, could it be clear "fuel?"

Better to be safe than sorry. Best of Luck.





ps-fluid-jpg.141633
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, I will check it all out...E
 
So, the lid on your power steering reservoir is wet, which suggests it may not have been properly seated. On my car, the lid had been installed a little offset from center for many years, and the o-ring had a groove in it that was offset slightly. If I centered it, it would leak. So, I would rotate the lid, feel it drop into that groove, and tightened it down there. Again, when it did so it was not perfectly centered on the reservoir.
 
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