[V8] Pentosin Leak

[Buchholz, Steven]

... this will require careful troubleshooting ... the pump is the low point in the system, so problems elsewhere can appear to be at the pump.  I've gotten a lot of BTDT on both cars in this area over the years ... so far I've never had to replace or reseal a pump.  

One situation where I had almost convinced myself it was the pump was a leak in the high pressure hose to the rack.  The line is a two piece affair, and the lower piece has an outer sheath.  The inner hose was leaking at a fitting, and the fluid would flow inside the sheath to dump right at the pump.  

The other big leak I had was the standard return line at the bottom of the reservoir ... but this one did not appear to be coming from the pump.  Since the return is not under pressure I left the metal fittings in place and replaced the soft hose with some standard oil line and hose clamps.  Too bad the car didn't come from the factory fitted this way!  I've used this method to repair several leak issues where the hose leaked at a crimp-style hose clamp.  

I too am getting a bit of a drip from the pump area on #344 ... the big issues this raises are 1) the loss of expensive fluid, and 2) steering fluid on the serpentine belt seems to degrade the rubber of the belt over time.  I'm thinking that this time it may really be the pump that is leaking ... fortunately I've got a new pump in the garage and can easily test the theory ...

Steve B
San José, CA (USA)
> 
> The inevitable has happened," the dreaded Pentosin gusher." One of the
> spots it appears to be leaking is from right around the power steering
> pump itself. Has anyone had leaks start from the banjo bolt/ washers
> that connect the hose to the pump? Or am I definitely looking at the
> hoses themselves and/ or the pump seal. I should be able to get in there
> this weekend to see what I'm dealing with but I thought going in armed
> with some been there done that might give me a better idea of what I can
> expect. Hope everybody has a great weekend. William