Power steering cap loose

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 19 Jun 2018, 08:56

Seems like my power steering cap won't shut tightly anymore. It turns and then clicks and then just keeps turning. I'm worried this may be causing a leak.
Any ideas what I can do to secure it?

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 19 Jun 2018, 15:45

There's a thin plastic washer which may have deteriorated.
Cutting an annulus from plastic of an appropriate thickness is one thing people have done.
Clorox bottle?, clear salad container?,

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 19 Jun 2018, 16:51

It seems more like the mechanic broke it - it was fine 4 weeks ago

qwertyjjj · Post by **qwertyjjj** » 20 Jun 2018, 09:43

The green annulus seems fine. Could it be the spring? Any other way to secure it? Is fluid likely to leak out when hot? Reservoir seemed pretty low

Post by **packetfire** » 20 Jun 2018, 12:39

There is enough pressure in the "low pressure" side of the power steering system to move the fluid out of the works, and back into the reservoir. The pump sucks fluid from the reservoir, so as long as it is not empty, you are in no danger of a mechanical failure.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get a large size hose clamp, and clamp a small section of rag over the cap and around the neck of the reservoir. Take care to not tighten too much, you don't want to crush the neck. The idea here is to hold the cap down, and to soak up any fluid that comes out. So, assuming you clean the neck off before you start, the cloth will be an indicator of a leaking condition, if it is damp, you are leaking.

But order a new cap - its $8, so why mess around with it when it can ruin your whole weekend if it (somehow) fails catastrophically?
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... p-30680253

If we stop things that leak from leaking, all the fluids that make the car go stay INSIDE the car, and the garage stays clean.
Cars that leak nothing at all live far longer than cars that have a greasy underside.