power steering pump gone wild symptoms?

[jaimster]

'95 j30
i got a fluid leak im starting to hear a n unusual noise coming coming from around that area where the pump is at , and also when i turned off the engine notice fluid topping off the reservuir unit leaking form the top even though the lid is closed and tight . Am i missing something or do i just need to replace the pump ?

[yodawill2000]

You have Air in the System.
I had the same thing and after shutting off the motor all sorts of bubbly fluid came out.
Start the engine and take the cap off, and also the screen as it will let you see how much fluid is in the reservoir.
Keep adding fluid till it gets about where it should be in the reservoir WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
That screen will make you think its topped off and when you take it out you have a OMG moment.
Hopefully your pump hasn't starved itself of fluid and damaged the internals.
Let us know how it turns out.
to NICO !!

[jaimster]

thanks Vodawill2000
im going to do just that either later today or tomorrow since i have the day off tomorrow . boy these forums are priceless ive been getting some good help from them thanks again

[yodawill2000]

No problemo Neighbor !!
Grand Prairie Here !!
And it's "Yoda" lol ,, the avatar kinda cuts the bottom of the Y.

[J30tChumpCar]

I would like to expand on yoda.

Do not start cold car, remove p/s cap, stick finger in screen thingie and remove to actually see the real level, pour in fluid 7/8 to the top, get in car, turn steering lock to lock a couple times BEFORE starting COLD car, re check fluid, turn car over but do not start, as in if it starts turn it off within a second, re check and top back off to 7/8 full, repeat till it doesn't take more, if things go all bubbly again just put more fluid and get the level up with it running, go for a ride or whatever(steering may be heavy) but be ready for the same eruption when you turn off the engine, repeat entire process the next day cold if needed, there is nothing wrong with the pump except air gets trapped and is difficult to purge. Do not fall behind if you have a leak or the process will need to be started over.

How do I know this? We nursed a leaking rack on our race prepped J for about a year, it would empty when parked... What a messy pain but it did respond decently once I figured this out. Oh get Lucas power steering(or Lucas trans) stop leak.

[yodawill2000]

Well said.
My process worked for me because I had a VERY slow leak in my high pressure hose.
Swimshark fixed me up with a replacement..
But yes... Check the level and top off before starting.
That will speed the procedure up.
And I totally forgot about the "Lock to Lock" maneuver.
That will move all the fluid through the system.

[jaimster]

thanks guys
j30tchumpcar im going to follow the instructions so far i added more fluid and stopped leaking no more , noise is gone too.
im in the process of restoring this baby back in time as much as possible hey Yodawill2000 got it right this time right! i picked up this car from ftworth police impound auction interior trashed , rear rotor gone ,a/c controls gone, radio leather seats tore up body not too bed 3 windows broken door assbly panel driver side trashed im gonna take some pictures before wish me good luck guys
i got a '02 audi a6 3.0 already this car reminded me of it and i fell in love when i saw on line at the auction.

[yodawill2000]

How much did it cost ya ??

[J30tChumpCar]

Got our 1st race car at a tow yard auction, shines but bumped front and back, full of nasty roaches, one window regulator bad and a leaky rack but I reached in and it started happily. Next stop was the crusher as I was the only bidder.

At first my intent was clean up to flip, I did, got all the bugs out, detailed it up and drove it about 2 months with a 4 sale sign but it needed fan belts(squeeeeeeeeellll) plus rear struts as well as the rest of its issues so it did not sell, wound up parked.. Then comes this race series where it looked like a great candidate, The rest is history, that car did several top 10 finishes and on its way to the win but gave its life when someone ran out of talent . The driveline lives on in version 2.0, a craigs list find with a crap title, it continues to pull top 10 finishes and finally a win.

Next event March 3-4 for a full 24 hours on a road course!

I know totally irrelevant to this thread but just like everyone else here I love the J and cant stop patting it on the back

[yodawill2000]

If your ever at Texas Motor Speedway let me know !!
Not sure if they do that series though.

[jaimster]

i paid 577 plus the towed about 140 .

[J30tChumpCar]

Not a terrible price, how many miles?
If you buy with patience you can get everything used, heck right now there's a decent entire black (redone vinyl) interior J at the local pick and pull.

Yoda here is all I can do right now,
March 3-March 4
EAGLES CANYON RACEWAY: 10+6 Hour
"2nd Annual Rust Bucket Ruckus"
Download Supplemental Rules and Event Info

We don't do the Texas races but another J sometimes does in the other series, 24 hrs of Lemons

[Mkiisupra]

I dont see any mention of using the correct fluid. Make sure you are using automatic transmission fluid, and not power steering fluid.