power steering pump acting up

[31beretta]

Hey guys, my power steering pump has a huge leak. I don't know if it's the resevoir or the pump itself. Almost as soon as I fill it, the fluid hits the drive belt and gets sprayed everywhere. I think it's the resevoir because it's leaking so fast. What do you guys think? Also the other day when I shut the car off, smoke was coming from the power steering pump's area and I smelled an odor like something was burning, could it be the pump from running dry? I sometimes hear like metal to metal contact (clinging) noises from the engine bay. Now if it was the pump that's bad, could I use one off a 3100? I have a 3.1 in mine. Thanks for any information.

[rweatherford]

Sounds like you need to clean everythign up and find where the leak is.  Could be from the high pressure hose or just the return hose has slipped off.

[Luckymc420]

What year is your car.

Ok i have a 1995 3100(3.1L) and I just had all kinds of problems with my power steering pump so i just got done putting in a new one.  It costed me about 90 bucks.  If you have a 3100 you have to pull the upper intake off so you have to replace those gaskect.  Then you have to pull off the fuel rails.  Then pull off the engine mount all the way out.  Take belt off.  Then 3 bolts hold the pump in.  I bought the whole thing except the pully for about 70 ($50 core) and also had to buy the pully puller.  You might as well just get a new pump and res.  If you need more help i have some great pictures on the process.  I say get a new pump cause if it is dry it will burn up and i am sure it has.  PLUS if you replace the pump make sure you have all the lines TIGHT and also a little O ring will come and make sure you put that on. Check that pump over and make sure it would leak.

Hope that helps!!

[31beretta]

My car is a 88' base model with the 3.1 MPFI

Ya, I kinda figured the pump would be shot by now, but it does work fine when you put fluid in it. Like I said though it gets fluid on the drive belt and sprays like hell. Some pictures would probably help me see how to do this before I go and try it myself without having done it before. Thanks


I'll have to look it over a little more to see if a line could be loose.

[yellow3800]

Could be a cracked case... see Rex's post.  Possible cracked case from a hose being yanked on fairly close to the pump resevoir.

PS.  I have never really seen in any service manual anything about changing PS fluid.  Is this stuff apparantly good for ever?

[rweatherford]

It's not good forever.  If your pump is noisy change the fluid and it will act like a new pump most of the time.

[Decipha]

i used to work at speedee we recommended p/s flushes every year or 15k miles... makes a world of a diff