where's the first place i should be checking for PS leaks? last week my car started moaning a bunch so i bought some PS fluid and refilled the reservoir. it was below the min level but i only used about 1/3 of the bottle or so. couple days later it's started groaning again and i'm starting to actually lose PS now so i'm guessing it's getting pretty low. i'm so busy w/ school idk when i'll have time to really hunt down the leak and fix it...

is it better to take off the belt if it's gonna be run dry for awhile? no AC sucks but i did it before when the seal on my previous PS pump got torn by a broken belt. i'm guessing it's not worth it to keep topping it off since it's only good for a couple days after.


so yea, where should i start when i get the chance to look for the leak and what should i be looking for?

Top it off again, clean everything up really good, and take it for a spin. Make sure to work the wheel back and forth a bit when you do the test drive. Ten, fifteen minutes' of driving should do the trick if you're losing fluid that quickly.

Odds are you've either got a crapped out hose on the reservoir or at one of the connections to the pump itself. It could also be at the rack, but I can't say I've heard too many people bitching about blown seals on the rack.

Pretty sure that all 2Gs (turbo and non) use the same PS system. The pump sure looks identical, as does the reservoir bottle. And, if the suspension set up is the same, why would they change the rack? Just mentioning this in case you wanted to hit up a yard to snag a pair of hoses or anything.

There are o-rings on the connections at the pump, but if you've got them in hand, repairing those connections is about a one hour job tops. Messy as hell, but not time consuming.

I'm having the same exact problem with mine right now. I have a line loose on the rack, and not the ones connecting it to the lines for the pump/resivoir so it's not installation error lol. Just haven't been able to find the time to drop it out and fix it. The one that was in it last year starting leaking through the seals. You just need to locate the problem, hopefully it's just a loose line somewhere. If you take the boots off and fluid pours out, it's time for a new rack.

You should not run the steering system dry, even if you don't have the belt on.

The lines are always the first place to look, as they are the most obvious places for a failure to occur. Don't forget to take a good look at the steering rack though just in case. You might have a little weeping from the rack itself. Not as likely, but you don't want to miss anything.

I agree, fill the reservoir, clean everything up, then try to see where it may be coming out from.

Originally posted by VX100
You should not run the steering system dry, even if you don't have the belt on.

why not. nothing mechanical is moving inside that needs lube

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC

Originally posted by VX100 You should not run the steering system dry, even if you don't have the belt on.

why not. nothing mechanical is moving inside that needs lube

:squint
Moving mechanical parts not needing lube... WTF are you smoking?

Lubrication prevents friction wear. Friction causes things to break down. Basic mechanics Mikey.

Even when you switch to manual you loop the lines to prevent the fluid from rushing out.

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC

Originally posted by VX100 You should not run the steering system dry, even if you don't have the belt on.

why not. nothing mechanical is moving inside that needs lube

:squint Moving mechanical parts not needing lube... WTF are you smoking? Lubrication prevents friction wear. Friction causes things to break down. Basic mechanics Mikey. Even when you switch to manual you loop the lines to prevent the fluid from rushing out.

i think i misunderstood. I thought you were just talking about the PS pump, not the entire system. If that's the case, i agree. IM SORRY, DAMN! SHIT! :)

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC

Originally posted by RoninEclipse2G

Originally posted by 420agreenvilleSC

Originally posted by VX100 You should not run the steering system dry, even if you don't have the belt on.

why not. nothing mechanical is moving inside that needs lube

:squint Moving mechanical parts not needing lube... !!!!WTF are you smoking?!!!!

i think i misunderstood. I thought you were just talking about the PS pump, not the entire system. If that's the case, i agree. IM SORRY, DAMN! SHIT! :)

Geez, Mike! Erik is sure tough on you, lol.