[V8] Hydraulic system leakage

[urq]

... from my experience to date on V8s, the first thing to look for ar 
leaking hoses.  I thought I was looking at a pump a year or more ago ... but 
it turned out to be the lower line from the pump to the rack.  Since the 
pump is the low point in the system I think leaks tend to appear to be 
coming from there.  The other thing that tends to mask the source is the 
fact that many of the hoses have a sheath which tends to direct the flow to 
the end of the line.

While I don't think this would appear to be a pump leak, I have to say the 
fastest fluid loss I had was from the *return* line to the reservoir! 
Fortunately a bit of rework on the hose end and a new hose clamp resolved 
that one ...

So far, my BTDT on two '91s is:

Pump replacements - 0
Rack replacements - 0
Bomb replacements - 0
lower steering hose - 1
upper steering hose - 1
return to reservoir - 1
brake assist plumbing - 0

Steve B
San Jose, CA (USA)

> Question:  Where are the common hydraulic system leaks, especially those 
> coming from the the region of the pump itself?  What is a normal pattern 
> of pump failure?
>
> Well, the V8 has developed a hydraulic system leak.  I don't know exactly 
> how fast it's leaking but a puddle of the fluid about half a foot in 
> diameter collects on the floor after even a short 2 mile drive.  The 
> reservoir is emptying itself more quickly (maybe a quart of more with 
> every gas fill-up), and the pace is picking up.  The source is definitely 
> coming from the area where the pump is.  I haven't had a chance to clean 
> the region to pinpoint the leak.  Car does not drive any differently (but 
> I haven't run dry yet ).  One of the main high pressure hoses was replaced 
> over a year ago with a factory original by previous owner.  The system has 
> really not leaked significantly all year up until now.