Power Steering Leak

[Winston-Rover]

In my 2000 Disco 2 I had a slight moan/groan from the power steering when turning fully at low speeds, but didn?t notice any leaks at all. I changed the power steering fluid hoping to get rid of the sound, but the noise was still there. Then I bought some Lucas Stop Leak and put the entire bottle in. Soon after the groaning noise got louder and it became hard to steer until the system got warmed up. I suspect this is because of the higher viscosity of the Lucas Stop Leak compared to regular PS Fluid?

Well, now the system is leaking severely. When I refill the reservoir the fluid foams up, I guess from the air in the line. The fluid is dripping from the low point in the supply hose to the PS pump. I can?t tell if it?s coming from the pump itself or from the hose. I cleaned it all up pretty well but can?t identify the source. Is it possible that the Lucas caused the hose to break? Or could it be the pump? Maybe I just need a new hose clamp?

This is driving me crazy? I went from a slight annoyance to a full-blown problem.

 

[pdxrovermech]

ouch! you may have ruined your pump. A bad supply (suction) hose is extremely rare. Usually the high pressure hose it the one that goes. I would get someone to help you and have them turn the wheel full lock while you get a good look at where the fluid is coming from. My guess is thats it coming from the pump or the HP hose. Then drain all that crap out, replace whats needed, and fill it with the proper fluid.

 

[roverMc]

x2 on filling with proper fluid. Are you sure that you picked of the right Lucas?

 

[KyleT]

the suction hose can rub and get a hole in it. check to see if it is rubbing on anyhting.

 

[cdansan]

The clamps on my hoses were so loose that the hose would spin freely.

 

[Winston-Rover]

What I'm seeing is a slow constrant drip from the hose, whether the pump running or not, so maybe it is the clamp. When the pump is running it doesn't spray the fluid or increase the drip rate. In fact, it seems like most of the fluid is leaking while parked based on the amount of fluid in my driveway. I'll try changing the clamp first and see what happens.

 

[apg]

The clamps on my hoses were so loose that the hose would spin freely.

Roger that. Rover engineers, in their (NOT) infinite wisdom, spec-ed the absolute cheapest hose clamps in the known world for the Disco. First order of business is to replace these crappy clamps with something 'murrican-made that actually works. Then consider replacing all the lines, as the originals didn't seem to be of the highest order, either. But if the pump is making groaning noises under load, then the above is probably moot....

 

[ratboy]

two times i have had the gasket fail between the halves of the pump. when that happens, the pump sucks air and foams the fluid and makes noise. if a new hose and some clamps dont fix it, i would take a good look at the pump. you cannot get the gasket. i made new ones. its cheaper than a new pump.

 

[jasonmk12]

I have a "groan" when turning at low speeds as well when the steering wheel is fully turned. I have no leaks. What might be causing the groaning?

Jason K

 

[pdxrovermech]

when forcing the wheel to full lock a "groan" is normal. Its saying "hey, back the fuck off! I cant go any further!"

 

[xengineguy]

two times i have had the gasket fail between the halves of the pump. when that happens, the pump sucks air and foams the fluid and makes noise. if a new hose and some clamps dont fix it, i would take a good look at the pump. you cannot get the gasket. i made new ones. its cheaper than a new pump.

I have also had the power steering pump blues! I used permatex gray stiff or rigid RTV between the pump halfs,let it set over night to cure. Make sure you clean the screen in the bottem of the tank and if you use lucas a little is all thats needed.

 

[Winston-Rover]

Update -

turns out it was the power steering pump. it was leaking along the gasket at the bottom. I picked up a used one from the local pick-n-pull for $30. switched it out and now it works fine. I also replaced the hose clamps while I was in there.

I really think putting a full bottle of lucas leak stop in the reservoir is what caused the gasket to blow out. I have ACE with the smaller reservoir, so that really adds up to a lot of stop leak in the system.

I think I'll try the permatex fix on the old one and keep it around in case the pick-n-pull one craps out.

thanks for the help