2004 S60 Power Steering Leak

StickyPocket · Post by **StickyPocket** » 21 Jan 2019, 15:58

So today I went to start the car in ~12 degree Farenheit because I haven't driven it in a while. On startup, I get an error message saying "coolant low, stop engine". I turned off the car, waited a minute and restarted it, and that message was gone for several minutes of idling. I opened the hood to check the coolant (it was a little low, will be adding coolant), and noticed that the area around the power steering reservoir was wet. Picture attached. Unsure how long the leak has been happening, but it looks like the pipe underneath is wet as well. What could be the issue here? Some kind of gasket failure?

Post by **cn90** » 21 Jan 2019, 17:45

- The hose below looks new (there is a Blue Label on it).
- Get a new reservoir from dealer for about $50-$60.
- Search forum for Dexron vs Pentosin.

- You probably have over 180K (what is your mileage)...
- At this mileage when the PS reservoir is bad, may not be a bad idea to replace the coolant reservoir + cap too. Use only Volvo OEM reservoir.

Post by **June** » 21 Jan 2019, 17:54

cn90 wrote: ↑21 Jan 2019, 17:45 - The hose below looks new (there is a Blue Label on it).
- Get a new reservoir from dealer for about $50-$60.
- Search forum for Dexron vs Pentosin.

- You probably have over 180K (what is your mileage)...
- At this mileage when the PS reservoir is bad, may not be a bad idea to replace the coolant reservoir + cap too. Use only Volvo OEM reservoir.

+1 June

StickyPocket · Post by **StickyPocket** » 21 Jan 2019, 18:01

I'm only at about 63k... hard to believe i know - it was a family car that didn't get much use. Was dealer maintained for much of it as well.

Post by **E Showell** » 21 Jan 2019, 18:03

From experience, the PS reservoirs leak at the middle seam. Don't bother trying to separate the coolant tank from the PS reservoir. There's a plastic tab holding it to the coolant tank. It doesn't release easily. Just cut it off. Also, when you lift the coolant tank, don't lift it high. The level sensor wires are fragile and short (not a lot of slack). You'll break the sensor. Plastic and age, not a great combo for the PS reservoir or coolant expansion tank.

Post by **cn90** » 21 Jan 2019, 18:37

At this age (15y and 63K), there is a round hose behind the engine block.
This hose can leak very slowly.
Not a bad idea to replace that short hose, about $8 from Volvo dealer.

StickyPocket · Post by **StickyPocket** » 21 Jan 2019, 18:42

cn90 wrote: ↑21 Jan 2019, 18:37 At this age (15y and 63K), there is a round hose behind the engine block.
This hose can leak very slowly.
Not a bad idea to replace that short hose, about $8 from Volvo dealer.

So from the above conversation, I'm planning on replacing the PS reservoir - it looks like that's definitely the problem according the picture, right?

Which round short hose are you talking about - would you happen to have a link to the part? Is this also easy to replace? How much do you think the labor for the reservoir and short round hose behind the engine block would be?

Post by **E Showell** » 21 Jan 2019, 19:00

Don't pay someone to change the ps reservoir. Easy DIY but for the plastic tab holding it to the coolant overflow tank.

StickyPocket · Post by **StickyPocket** » 21 Jan 2019, 19:09

E Showell wrote: ↑21 Jan 2019, 19:00 Don't pay someone to change the ps reservoir. Easy DIY but for the plastic tab holding it to the coolant overflow tank.

I would do it myself, but live in a city and park my car on the street. I don't have tools such as hose clamps and such. Also it is very cold outside...

Post by **June** » 21 Jan 2019, 19:51

StickyPocket wrote: ↑21 Jan 2019, 18:42
cn90 wrote: ↑21 Jan 2019, 18:37 At this age (15y and 63K), there is a round hose behind the engine block.
This hose can leak very slowly.
Not a bad idea to replace that short hose, about $8 from Volvo dealer.
So from the above conversation, I'm planning on replacing the PS reservoir - it looks like that's definitely the problem according the picture, right?

Which round short hose are you talking about - would you happen to have a link to the part? Is this also easy to replace? How much do you think the labor for the reservoir and short round hose behind the engine block would be?

Yes, here's a picture of mine on my 2004 before replacing. Since new reservoir installed no leaks, stays perfectly dry. No hoses were replaced on my car. June