96 850 leaking ATF, not 100% sure of the source yet..

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 28 Apr 2022, 20:34

Long time, no talk everyone - I guess that's a good thing. I've been a full-time student for the past four and a half years or so, and I finally wrapped it all up at the end of March. I guess now is the perfect time for my car to start leaking something...

1996 N/A Automatic 850 wagon. 96,000 original miles, timing belt, and water pump was done at around 75000, three years ago. Overall the car runs great and I did almost $2500 in suspension work last summer (struts, springs, inner-outer TREs control arms, brakes all around, etc).

About a week ago I noticed evidence of a small ATF leak under the driver's side. I haven't had time to really look underneath until tonight. Here is a Youtube video of what I was able to see thus far:

The steering rack ends and bellows are new and don't appear to be leaking. Notice the evidence of a drip of ATF on the top of the one power steering hose...it can't drip up, can it? I will be looking again more tomorrow, but I'm just not even sure what I'm looking at yet.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 28 Apr 2022, 20:55

Check the axle seals for good measure. if they leak onto the shaft, the spinning can kick it up into weird places.

Post by **scot850** » 28 Apr 2022, 21:35

I suggest that you clean as much off as you can of the leaked oil. Then start and idle the car and see if the oil starts to leak again. Don't drive the car as it will help by not throwing oil around. It may help you to figure out easier where it is coming from.

Good Luck!

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 29 Apr 2022, 01:47

You could also clean it up and add uv dye to just the power steering reservoir , then see if it glows!

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-10-5045- ... C69&sr=8-2

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 29 Apr 2022, 07:53

Never used the UV dye before, but that's a good idea. At first glance, it appears this could be seepage from the control valve on the rack that's dripping down and blowing all over the place.

If I wipe up all the mess and run the dye through, what is the best practice, to run it till hot and then let it sit for a day or so and come back with the lamp? I assume it could take a while to work through if it's not a blatant, blown-out seal leak like my V70 did. That one blew out and the whole unit was empty in a day.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 29 Apr 2022, 10:16

ATF is used the power steering so I would focus on that for the moment. Clean it and then run car to use the power steering for a short drive. The pressure may reveal the leak.

befarrer · Post by **befarrer** » 29 Apr 2022, 22:17

That's how my steering rack looks, not 100% sure where it's coming from, my best guess is the steering shaft seal on the rack. It makes a mess, but never stops, and I've had to top up my power steering once in 2 years, and that's because I blew my high pressure hose near the pump.

Post by **abscate** » 01 May 2022, 03:23

That sort of leak might respond to the can of either the ATP or Lucas stop leak product. Lucas can stop the flow of anything, even electrons

Post by **scot850** » 01 May 2022, 10:40

Neil.

Post by **SonicAdventure** » 02 May 2022, 05:34

Did the dye test, ran it around town for a little bit, let it sit for a few hours and...

It's coming from the top of the control valve, so is this like befarrer said, the "steering shaft seal"?

Either way, if I'm going to keep this car it needs a new rack. I might try some stop leak, but I know it can't go on leaking like this if I'm going to take it on an 1800-mile road trip in a few months.