Power steering leak questions

AaronA · Post by **AaronA** » 26 Jan 2012, 07:56

Just opened the hood and noticed signs of leaking around my power steering pump. Sure enough, the reservoir was low and almost empty. I stopped at the local Autozone and bought some power steering fluid to top it off (which I'm now reading might not have been the right fluid).

Questions:
Does anyone have any experience with used P/S pumps? The new ones are $350 (IPD) or $280 (Groton - rebuilt), but the used ones go from $75 to $150. Money is a little tight now, so I was thinking of the used part, but I'm worried about grime or dirt that might be inside it screwing up the rack. Any thoughts?

What is the correct P/S fluid for a 2001 V70? Is it P/S fluid? Dexron III? ATF? Or some other synthetic? and do I now need to flush the system? Or can I just suck out the reservoir and put in the right fluid?

I need to do the PCV service (as soon as it warms up - car has 118k miles on it), so was hoping I could wait until then to replace the P/S pump, as it would be easier to just do them both at the same time. Is this a bad idea if I just keep filling the reservoir?

Thanks,
Aaron

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 26 Jan 2012, 13:54

The correct fluid is:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exec/p ... ory_id/146

Some Napa's carry it, also available at the Volvo dealer, but FCP is the best deal I have found on it. I can't say what is going to happen due to the wrong fluid being put in the system. Some have reported failure or poor performance due to incorrect fluid and another poster here recently stated they found a fluid made by Lucas they believed to be compatible and so far so good. I would get the correct fluid in the system as soon as possible if it were mine. You can get it out by placing the return hose in a can or bucket and let the pump empty the system.

As far as the pumps themselves I don't believe them to be a high failure item and I wouldn't have any problem with a used one as long as the car didn't have a ridiculous amount of miles that it came from. I would definitely be sure that it is the pump itself leaking and not a line or a faulty o-ring where the line attaches to the pump before I bought another.

Post by **JRL** » 26 Jan 2012, 15:40

I would check the lower hose under PS resevoir AND THE CLAMP first
There is an updated clamp, most of the OEM clamps leak
Oil travels

Post by **regent** » 12 Mar 2012, 16:54

At 108,000 mi on my '02 S60 N/A I located a PS fluid leak that is developing at the drive end of the pump (not so much of a leak, just some seepage). No noticeable change in fluid level either.

Is it time to order a replacement pump?

Post by **oragex** » 09 Jan 2014, 16:12

regent wrote:At 108,000 mi on my '02 S60 N/A I located a PS fluid leak that is developing at the drive end of the pump (not so much of a leak, just some seepage). No noticeable change in fluid level either.

Is it time to order a replacement pump?

I won't worry about. Mine to it's doing this and it's been a while.

Post by **precopster** » 10 Jan 2014, 14:12

If the seepage works its way into the control arm bushings there's some motivation for you however if you can manage the seepage with degreaser every oil change you should be OK.

I mention this because it happened to the 2002 S60 AWD I just sold however the leak was from the clamp on tbe PS reservoir.

swedish tank · Post by **swedish tank** » 11 Jan 2014, 17:26

The power steering hose on my XC70 that goes from the reservoir to the pump was leaking where it goes into the pump. The reservoir also had developed a leak where the two halves join. I ordered a new hose and reservoir and installed with regular worm gear hose clamps from the auto supply store. I couldn't justify $7 a hose clamp from the Volvo stealership. I will keep an eye for leaks, but can't imagine that there would be that much difference between hose clamps.