slfalco

99 SE, I have a small leak from the pump area, I cleaned it off and tried to see the origin, it seems to 'appear' where the return hose goes to the pump, but it does not seem to be the rubber hose... There is a plastic fitting that seems to be held on by 2 bolts. Has anyone had a leak like this? I am thinking there is a seal of some sort where that fitting attaches to the pump that may be leaking? 191K miles, steering system is all original...

uttadms31

I'd run a UV dye test in your oil or power steering fluid. I had fluid all over the back of my pump and found out via UV dye that it was motor oil. Fixed the problem with new valve cover gaskets. If it does turn out to be power steering fluid, are you losing a lot of fluid? If not, I'd just ignore it for now, it's not uncommon to happen

slfalco

The PS fluid was down about 1/2 inch in the reservoir, so not urgent (yet). When I get more time I will clean it off better to try to isolate it.. it is dripping down onto the passenger axle which is just underneath the PS pump...

uttadms31

Over many many years your level could've dropped 1/2 inch. Fill to the Max/High line when cold and start checking over time to see if your level falls much. My (motor oil) leak dropped down on the control arm and behind the oil pan, so if yours is falling on the axle you may in fact have a different leak which could be power steering fluid.

Stick'N'Move

Just a note on why you may not want to wait too long. Power steering fluid could drip down and eat away at your control arm bushings.

My 5.5 gen currently has a worn out body mount bushing due to power steering leak that i neglected. Not sure what type of material the 4th gen bushings are made of but id take a look at them to be safe. Check to see if the fluid has been dripping down onto control arm and body mount bushings in the area under PS pump and resevoir.

Daniel VQ30life

iTrader: (2)

the bushings on the fourth will wear out from it as well, had a similar ps leak about a year ago, was finding a way to leak on the exhaust which is how i found it from the smoke, same way i found my rear vc leak. anyways both issues were about a month apart, another two or three months later i did lca's and sway links, passenger side was definitely worse and appeared soaked with fluids.

uttadms31

For the time being could we wrap some high grade/gorilla tape around that one bushing in the control arm that gets eaten away?

Daniel VQ30life

iTrader: (2)

i don't think that would work, can't say i would recommend it, just be ready to get the control arms in the future, they aren't hard to change btw

Sent from my SGH-T399N using Maxima

uttadms31

So I seem to have a similar problem as the OP...is this usually solved by a new pump or which hose/clamp? I can't see any leaking from above (looking under the hood from above)

Maximus909

How does the dye thing work? Ive had this issue since I purchased the car, its getting annoying refilling the reservoir.

uttadms31

I've only done it in the motor oil before, but since you know you're losing power steering fluid badly I'd try it there first. Just get some UV dye and a UV flashlight from the auto or hardware store, put it in your reservoir, then drive the car a while then you can start looking for the leak under the car.

Daniel VQ30life

iTrader: (2)

make sure to clean the engine bay well before doing this, makes it easier

I love my A32

nissan99

I got the same problem with mine 99 had to replace control arm and I used aluminum foil over the bushing with a zip tie .. Until I get the pump fixed..

uttadms31

Is/was there a way to tell whether it's the pump or just its hose(s) that have to be replaced?

slfalco

I think I will change the suction hose, and also there is an o-ring under the inlet connector that I will change while I am at it. I also need new lower control arms, but the amount of rust I see on the K-frame tells me that I will probably destroy that when trying to remove the LCAs.. I am wondering how difficult a K-frame swap is... I really love this car (original owner), but with 192K miles and 16 years of road salt, it is getting difficult to keep her going...

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

Possible suction hose to pump, but I would update all my hose clamps to american worm clamps.....

uttadms31

Do I have to take the pump off the belt to do this? Seems like a tough task. And is the suction hose connection at the back/bottom side of the pump?