Leak Question

Tressa · Tressa's Garage

Think I've found the reason for my slow little leak of stuff on the floor.

I went through my PO's repair receipts and saw one that listed a repair needed is a small steering rack leak.
Someone suggested something called Lucas power steering leak oil.
Is this a good idea to try first for this car? 1984 944

944 Ecology · 06-28-2010, 02:37 PM

Can't hurt. May even temporarily stem the tide. Go for it and let us know how you make out.

racer · 06-28-2010, 03:06 PM

Well.. where is the leak showing up? Left side? right side? What does it smell like - oil? coolant? power stering fluid? brake fluid?

John_AZ · 06-28-2010, 03:11 PM

This is a temporary solution as George has pointed out.

Your system will drip less for about 6 months and then leak more. Porsche does not recommend any additive.

A rebuilt power steering rack & pinion is available with a lifetime guarantee at AutoZone. I got one a couple of years ago for about $180 exchange. Lifetime Guarantee

GL
John

Tressa · Tressa's Garage

Well.. where is the leak showing up? Left side? right side? What does it smell like - oil? coolant? power stering fluid? brake fluid?
......................

Does this work like a perfume counter? I go to a store and smell all these, and then tell you, lol?
Tell me how those things smell, and I can identify. ;-)

Serious, though, I am just going by old receipts. Was basically curious if this would help for the moment, but don't want to add stuff if it will harm the car.

Thanks John, I'll check that out at Autozone.
By exchange, I take it that means I give them the old one ?

Tressa · Tressa's Garage

Oh yes, the leak is dropping on the floor in the front middle of the car hood, which , according to the repair manual is the location of the power steering fluid behind the radiator?

John_AZ · 03:55 PM

There is also a power steering pump rebuild kit --$20 if the leak is on the PS pump.

Very easy to do in less than an hour,

John

Tressa · Tressa's Garage

Thanks for the video, that looks fairly simple!

racer · 06-29-2010, 05:50 AM

My brief experience with the 944 power steering is that there can be several sources for the leak.. the pump, the rack, the resevoir and the lines themselves. They snake all under the car and have a myriad of connections. Removing the engine undertray, if you still have it, could help identify the leak a bit better.

Color too.. Greenish (or pink) is often coolant. Dark brown/black, tends to be oil. Dark red tends to be power steering fluid.

If you think it is a P/S leak, be sure to check the fluid level in the resevoir to prevent it from running dry. iirc, it is checked with the motor running. ON the bottom of the lid a dipstick is attached. If there is no fluid on the stick, thats a problem.

Rasta Monsta · Rasta Monsta's Garage

Most common leak point is the hose from the reservoir. . .with age, the clamp can't get small enough to tighten the hose (clamp and hose were both superceded).

I would NOT put Lucas power steering fixer in the system, in case it is mixed with power steering fluid. . .our cars take ATF, and PS fluid kills the seals.

John_AZ · 06-29-2010, 07:30 AM

Rasta is correct.

Upgrade/replace the hose from the reservoir to the power steering pump with the new upgraded "short" hose and fitting.---Pelican

Do not cut the hoses shorter. Maybe trim the hose 1/8 inch or so and drop the clamp down.

John

smokin_944 · smokin_944's Garage

I would NOT RECOMMEND the new fitting for Series 1 cars John, as I did this job last week. Because of the angle on the power steering pump, once the hose is on the fitting it will rub against an oil return line mounted on the chassis. Don't waste money for nothing, use the old banjo bolt setup. That way the chassis doesn't come into play and the setup is super clean.