side effects of blown PS hose

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Sep 2017, 09:29

Yesterday, the car sprung a bad leak at one of the two hoses that connect to the power steering pump. I'm not sure if it is the metal pipe or the hose, yet, but the leak is right against the body of the pump. Since it was dark when I got home, I haven't looked at it while the car is running. I wrestled the car home and found, of course, fluid everywhere - it's going to a mess to clean up. But my question is, it's all over the serpentine belt. Will I have to replace this? Anything else that could be damaged? Maybe the pump itself failed?

Thanks..

Post by **abscate** » 21 Sep 2017, 10:14

Wash it in lots of hot water and dish soap, rinse with triple deionised water, HPLC grade (or camel pee) and then reinstall and be happy. You can always replace it with your spare serp belt you carry in the back at all times, of course.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Sep 2017, 12:05

Thanks. The leak is from the lower metal pipe on the pump. The PO Didn't tighten it enough. Now to refill it....

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Sep 2017, 12:22

I had to put in a couple of small bottles of so called universal PS fluid to get home, (didn't do any good, I think all of the fluid was pumped out by the) about a 9 mile drive on the highway. Did I damage the pump or anything?

Post by **abscate** » 21 Sep 2017, 12:29

It will be fine. I think your 2001 uses Pentosin type PS fluid though - when in doubt, check manual.

Ive got regular PS fluid in my 99 which isnt right, either. I should change that.

Post by **oragex** » 21 Sep 2017, 12:31

That metal pipe has a sort of a bracket over the tube nut to prevent it from loosening by itself. This little bracket has to be there, it is attached on one of the 4 mounting bolts of the pump.

Using a random fluid for a short moment is not an issue, just as above you may want to get the correct Pentosin in there before the pump starts to scream like a baby t-rex

And while there check all connections to the reservoir as well, the Pentosin sauce is quite expensive

Don't put a pressure hose in there, it's sensitive. Make sure to wash the alternator with plenty of water before driving the car, then let it dry a good 12h before driving.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Sep 2017, 12:49

Mine is a P2 and it doesn't have that bracket, but I wish it did. I At least the pump isn't making noise right now. When I saw it leaking, there was mostly bubbles coming out of the fitting, so I guess there is almost none left in the system. So can I just pour in the Pentosin? Dang, that stuff is $20 a liter and it looks like I'll need 2 or 3 of them to refill the system...
Prestone Euro PS fluid instead?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 21 Sep 2017, 13:03

There isn't even a litre in the whole system to begin with. A litre bottle is enough to flush it from black to a nice clear green again.

Putting the wrong fluid in is gonna be a lot more expensive than the right oil. That said it's a green CHF oil so there should be more than one brand that's right.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 21 Sep 2017, 13:09

Thanks. Nope, I don't want to put in some seal eating crap...

Post by **oragex** » 21 Sep 2017, 16:19

The small bracket is on P2. I've read about two guys having the same issue as yours because they didn't place back the small bracket. With all the engine and pump vibration, that pipe has a chance to break loose.