Help Wanted: Auto mechanically-inclined please read & reply

[Rick]

My daughter's car does the same thing they just keep the fluid level checked...

[Jarlaxle]

Ok, neighbor said rack and when he looked under the car he could see some wetness on it.

It's a very slow leak, as I have only had to add fluid 3x in a year and only a few ounces each time. Only once (the first time) was it even noticeable (barely) in the steering.

Being the rack, is it safe still to 'ignore', other than adding fluid occasionally? Obviously fluid 3x/yr. for 3-5 more years is way cheaper than a fix.

Keep the fluid topped off, make sure you use the right fluid (DO NOT use transmission fluid!)...I would check it at least weekly in case the leak gets worse. Abruptly losing power steering could be a serious problem.

[BoSoxGal]

Jarl, sweetie, do you really think me clueless enough to put tranny fluid in the power steering receptacle, where is printed in plain English, 'power steering fluid, min/max level'?

You insult me.

[Jarlaxle]

It used to be pretty common to use ATF in power steering. (Sometimes, it was the correct fluid...several of my older Fords called for Type F ATF in the PS fluid, my Genesis calls for Dexron II ATF.) It used to work fine...now, not so much.

[quaddriver]

tranny fluid is actually better. Has to be.

BUT.

Tranny fluid needs cooled.

Most cars do not have power steering coolers.

[Miles]

Fair enough (since Miles hasn't posted whether he believes he felt insulted or not).

Dales, when it comes to certain posters here or elsewhere I consider the source to make any decision concerning insults. Quad is one such poster.

[BoSoxGal]

Ah, now that comment makes sense Jarl.

That's the kind of automotive knowledge that's beyond me. I just fill the receptacles as they're labeled.

Here's a question: should I continue filling once or twice a year with 'stop-leak' PS fluid, or just put in the cheaper regular PS fluid?

[Gob]

Dales, when it comes to certain posters here or elsewhere I consider the source to make any decision concerning insults. Quad is one such poster.

A masterpiece!

You should run for president Miles, I'd vote for you!!

[Jarlaxle]

Ah, now that comment makes sense Jarl.

That's the kind of automotive knowledge that's beyond me. I just fill the receptacles as they're labeled.

Here's a question: should I continue filling once or twice a year with 'stop-leak' PS fluid, or just put in the cheaper regular PS fluid?

I hesitate to recommend "stop-leak" fluids, simply because I have absolutely no idea what is in them! I would use regular PS fluid, especially if it's only a few times a YEAR to top it off. Also, make sure you don't overfill it.

But...are you sure it's the rack and not just a hose or fitting? If there is now PS fluid glop all over everything (it doesn't take much of a drip to get glop everywhere), you might want to have it cleaned and see EXACTLY where it's leaking from. Alternately, some part stores (I get it at NAPA) have a special dye...add it to the PS fluid and drive for a few days, then look. The dye glows under a blacklight, it can help find the source of the leak.

Also, a humorous (well, not at the time) PS-fluid-related incident...my friend and I were adjusting the steering box on his Dodge Diplomat ex-police car. On a Chrysler steering box, this requires loosening a large nut (5/8", IIRC), then turning the small adjuster screw (I recall Allen-head) in the center of the locknut. This, of course, means using a socket on the locknut isn't practical...I used an open-end wrench. I learned something that day: do not, I repeat DO NOT loosen the locknut more than ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY (about 1/3 turn) to tighten the adjuster. If you do, you will immediately have PS fluid peeing out everywhere, since the engine has to be running for this. I also learned that on a police Diplomat, the result is the fluid spurting out right into the damned cooling fan! Ye gods, what a mess that made! Took a whole bag of speedy-dry for that one.