97 Infiniti Q45 power steering fluid bubbling out when car is turned off

Post by **Jorell** » Thu May 21, 2009 9:04 pm

I am new to Nico, though I have been a reader for a while.

My uncle and I picked up a 97 Q41 from a police auction for cheap, but of course it had it's problems. The last issue that needs to be resolved is a major power steering fluid leak. We were dumbfounded when we discovered that the fluid is bubbling out the lid of the bucket after the car is turned off, but there is no leak while idling or driving. All hoses are fine and leak free.

I do not know where this pressure is coming from and why this only happens as soon as the car is turned off.

If anyone has experienced this problem and resolved it or has any clues to help, please post. Thanks.

~jorell
Modified by Jorell at 12:18 AM 5/22/2009

Post by **maxnix** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:33 am

What's the color and condtion of the PS fluid?

Sounds llike air in the system. What happens when yo go lock to lock?

Post by **Jorell** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:48 pm

Thank you for the quick reply. We bled the system completely and replaced it with fresh PS fluid. Our community of mechanics has come to a consensus. We're planning on actually replacing the pump. There may be a sticky valve. But we decided that taking apart the pump and attempting to fix it wouldn't be worth the trouble. After this it'll be on the road.

Thanks for being a supportive member.

Post by **maxnix** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:17 pm

I think the pumps have phenolic resin or nylon vanes, so they seldom fail without abuse for an extended period.

Depending on the condition of the previous fluid, the valve may be a good enue of pursuit.

Post by **Jorell** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:16 pm

I'd be hard pressed to find a more abused Q than this one!

-radius arm bushings stretched and torn.-rear brake rotors worn ALL THE WAY THROUGH inner disc and veins that separate the two discs.-brakes reduced to a metal potato chip.-pistons 100% extended.-tires 100% bald. Slick as a tit.-could plant a garden in the air filter.-belts cracked-radiator cracked wide open.

all those parts are pretty much part of routine maintenance for any older car, so i fixed it up.

LOL

Thanks for the advice. I'll hold off on buying the new pump until we get the old core out and dissect it.

Post by **paranoidjack** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:10 pm

Jorell wrote:I'd be hard pressed to find a more abused Q than this one!

-radius arm bushings stretched and torn.-rear brake rotors worn ALL THE WAY THROUGH inner disc and veins that separate the two discs.-brakes reduced to a metal potato chip.-pistons 100% extended.-tires 100% bald. Slick as a tit.-could plant a garden in the air filter.-belts cracked-radiator cracked wide open.

all those parts are pretty much part of routine maintenance for any older car, so i fixed it up.

LOL

Thanks for the advice. I'll hold off on buying the new pump until we get the old core out and dissect it.

Welcome aboard. Sounds like you'll be an active member soon enough!

Post by **Jorell** » Sun May 24, 2009 8:45 am

Can you even find the nylon valves sold separately these days?

Post by **maxnix** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:15 am

Jorell wrote:Can you even find the nylon valves sold separately these days?

Which valves?

Post by **Jorell** » Sun May 24, 2009 9:38 am

maxnix wrote:I think the pumps have phenolic resin or nylon vanes, so they seldom fail without abuse for an extended period.

Depending on the condition of the previous fluid, the valve may be a good enue of pursuit.

These kind sir. I have not found any individual PS Pump parts being sold. It makes sense, considering that the pump unit without it's valves wouldn't sell.

Post by **maxnix** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:37 am

The solenoid valve on ST-22 of the 2000 FSM is available.

Post by **dzznuts671** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 4:59 pm

any update on this? my car is doing the same thing..same exact symptoms.. did you just replace the pump? or did you also do all the hoses.

when the car is off the fluid reservoir is full. when i start the car the fluid level goes down dramatically. STUMPED!

Post by **Jorell** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:38 am

PROBLEM SOLVED!!

Do NOT buy a new pump my friend. =D

No tubes, valves...

Buy a pint of TRANSMISSION CONDITIONER and put half a can of it in your PS fluid bucket when the level is high.

IT FIXES IT!!

And my Q is ACTIVE! =D

Post by **Jorell** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:41 am

Maxnix you might find this interesting as well.

Post by **maxnix** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:48 am

If you have an active suspension on a FGY33, you are the only one in the US.

BG Power Steering Conditioner?

What are you using for PS fluid?

We tend to go with M1 or some other synthetic ATF.
Modified by maxnix at 12:54 PM 6/19/2009

Post by **dzznuts671** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:52 am

REALLY!? are you sure? alot of guys on here dont recommend any of those off the counter fix fluid stuff. what kind exactly did you use? So does your power steering stop making noises and bubbling? please explain. very interested in what you did.thanks!!

Post by **dzznuts671** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:55 am

I have a 99 q45t. does it make a diff between the touring and non touring? I already got quoted a really good price from IoS for a new p/s pump.

Post by **Jorell** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:10 am

No, our cars have the same PS system.

It worked wonderfully on my car. You might try using only 5 ounces of transmission conditioner at first and see how it goes. Make sure you don't fill the bucket too high. It should indicate on the bucket how high to fill it.

I fixed my car for the cheapest price possible, but how much is the new pump you're looking at? I don't regret my fix because I bought my car and got it running for very cheap. I don't think you'd have problems with this though.

Post by **Jorell** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:26 am

Thnx. Mixed up the term active.

I'm using generic PS fluid from Autozone. The OE PS fluid I had in it is scattered around in many different driveways.

Do you have a favorite recommended fluid (that I'll use the future)?

Post by **Jorell** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:39 am

So you recommend M1 ATF? I think I need to get a trans fluid change because mine could shift smoother.

gb1 · Post by **gb1** » Tue Feb 25, 2014 3:52 pm

Another Infiniti owner with this same problem.

Will try the sealer.

My 2000 Q has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. With 170,000 miles (and about $4,000) of total repairs (ie not tires) think it may be time to buy another.

My mechanic is telling me to replace the pump, reservoir, and high pressure hose. Not sure if I should bring to an Infiniti dealer for another opinion or not. Power steering is fine when car is running and when there is fluid in the tank.

Post by **elwesso** » Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:01 pm

Welcome to NICO!

Did you ever have an issue with the fluid getting low or blowing a hose? Air doesn't just magically get into the system, something has to have happened to cause that.

q45newbi 97 · Post by **q45newbi 97** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 6:27 am

ANY LUCK ? I have a 1997 q45 . had it about a year and about a week ago the pump was making I Lil noise but when I checked it it was rite on the line . planing on doing a fluid change /flush I put it on the back burner now I pulled into my drive way and bam a volcano of frothy atf rushing out under the lid . you can turn the car on and add fluid .. Go lock to lock and all seems good . but when you turn it off it gushes out any ideas are welcome . you can even yell at me for not addressing it sooner hahah thank you n love my Q45 !!

97 Infiniti Q45 power steering fluid bubbling out when car is turned off

97 Infiniti Q45 power steering fluid bubbling out when car is turned off

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