Running the Power Steering System dry... HELP

[Ivan_Sal]

Hello everyone,

Here is my situation. I am stationed in Germany and I am supposed to drop off my '92 HICAS hatch on Monday about 30 min away for shipment back to the US. I have now noticed I have a class 3 Power Steering leak coming from the high pressure hose I believe?

Either way I do not have the time or possibility to get the parts to repair the vehicle because I fly on the 27th, and have to out process this week (household goods, pet shipping, PCS clearing)

I was wondering if I could just drain most or all of the P/S fluid, drive the 50km, mostly autobahn, and drop off the vehicle dry so they can at least accept/pass it for shipping (with "no oil leaks allowed, etc...").

Will this cause serious damage to the P/S pump, or rack or steering column? I would of course bring a bottle of P/S fluid with me to pick the car up at Dallas in January...

The only other option would be for me to try to bypass the pump with a shorter belt? But I have read there is a tensioner on the pump so SOL?

My dilemma is If they notice the leak I will have to de-register, junk, or give/sale the car for an insane price last minute which I would rather not do...

[Morph]

Running the system dry will cause it to burn up, exactly how long you can run like this I'm not sure. Maybe for short distance it will be ok, but again I have no clue.

Could you drive most of the way there then drain it closer to the shipping place, like around the corner etc?

Another option would be to say F it and burn it up and replace it when you get home. Last time I checked a pump and rack were less than a used car.

Anyways free bump for you.

[Ivan_Sal]

Thanks Morph for the reply and bump,

I don't think I will have the time to drain it because the drop off point is on another Military installation.

I mean I'm sure there's been people on here that have driven with really low fluid or without some for while they waited to replace our leaky prone P/S systems?

[Ivan_Sal]

Were any s13's offered without Power steering. Because I thought maybe using a shorter belt from a non P/S Ka might work?

[costa_rican13]

i don't have powerstering and havent for over a year.

[Razi]

If you have time, you could hunt down a hydralics shop and have them build you a new hose.
That's what we did for our HICAS Q45.

We took the old hose in and they made a new one for about $30. Over a $100 cheaper than OEM.

[kouki munster]

Drain the system, remove the belt, then drive it to the drop off place, problem solved and you don't burn up a pump.

[costa_rican13]

problem is the belt it running with water pump.

[kouki munster]

Do'h, I forgot that the ka water pump and power steering pump are on the same belt.

[costa_rican13]

yea. suck because i want to delete the pump. but i would have to do the sohc water outlet. and sohc alternator bracket swap.

[Ivan_Sal]

I appreciate all the responses. My main problem I cannot get the car into the shop or get any parts because it is an American Spec model and I am in Germany. Nor are places open on the weekends. I understand that the tensioner is on the P/s pump so I can just pybass it with a shorter belt.

I really was wondering if anyone had ran their vehicle without P/S fluid for maybe a day or two without any problems. Because I would only be driving about 30-40 miles and however many miles they put on it while shipping

[costa_rican13]

you cannot bypass the power steering pump you will have no way to get the belt to the water pump. this being so, you have to do the SOHC bracket swap for the alternato and the water outlet swap as well. you're only option with no parts is to run it dry. and hope nothing messes up. put it this way. i have been without power steering for over a year and still driving today. it is completely dry with the seals in the rack and pinion shot. this is why i didnt want to swap the racks again because it takes 4 hours, so i just let it run dry, with the belt hooked up and everything. no more squeeling or anything just muscle building from no fluid.

[Lobo240sx]

^ Poor KA guys. It takes minutes to swap the power steering rack when you got an SR20. My buddies hated me for that as I went through 3 racks!!

OP, I would pour just enough in there to where it isn't completely dry. Before you get to your destination, drain it and clean it up nice.

[Ivan_Sal]

I had a typo. I meant I knew I couldn't bypass the water pump with a shorter belt. But I appreciate all the feedback. And Costa_Rican your - lol
I doubt much damage will be done as once the car is accepted (hopefully) I doubt it'll be driven much since it'll be in transit.
What would be the best route in draining the P/S fluid?
I believe my HICAS system is only a bit different from a non HICAS model (Reservoir, some longer lines)
But at the rate it's going now, driving during the weekend might just lower it enough for Monday?

[Ivan_Sal]

Either way when I get the car back to Texas, I'm gonna fix the leak and sell this completely Stock S13. It's only got 115k so I'm sure someone here will give it a good home.
My 2012 BMW 135i should be delivered next week =)