oil leak...upper switch pass side...hard to get too
10-24-2015, 08:24 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 297
oil leak...upper switch pass side...hard to get too
hello...this is prob common on 4ths...i was gonna take a pic of the oil leak but this youtube is exactly what i have...has anyone fixed this and how? is there a do it yourself?
10-24-2015, 12:03 PM
#2
The video is looking at the power steering pump. The hose that carries the oil from the pump to the power steering rack could be the oil leak. The high pressure hose as it is called does have a tendency to leak.
You want to try to verify this before you go replacing any parts. When the engine is cold, get under there and wipe off all the oil that you can. With the wheels on the ground, start the car and turn the wheels from end to end for a minute or two. Then check the area for leaks.
If you drive the car, the wind blowing around under the hood spreads the oil, making it more difficult to pinpoint a leak. If there is no oil after a minute or two, you will have to repeat and allow more time.
You want to try to verify this before you go replacing any parts. When the engine is cold, get under there and wipe off all the oil that you can. With the wheels on the ground, start the car and turn the wheels from end to end for a minute or two. Then check the area for leaks.
If you drive the car, the wind blowing around under the hood spreads the oil, making it more difficult to pinpoint a leak. If there is no oil after a minute or two, you will have to repeat and allow more time.
10-24-2015, 10:35 PM
#3
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 167
Mine looks like a mess up there too with some slow power steering leaks. I'd only worry about once it's hitting the ground and you're losing a fair amount of fluid. In my case I've only had to add fluid a few times a year, and what was actually hitting the ground was motor oil from a leaking rear valve cover gasket. So I'd recommend first identifying the fluid on the ground...power steering fluid will smell (sweet) quite different from motor oil.
10-24-2015, 10:57 PM
#4
I finally was able to get rid of all of the oil leaks on my '96. The power steering return line was leaking, I replaced it with an OEM one.
The o-ring between the rear timing chain cover and the engine block was leaking as well. That was a pain to replace.
The valve cover gaskets were leaking as well.
The o-ring between the rear timing chain cover and the engine block was leaking as well. That was a pain to replace.
The valve cover gaskets were leaking as well.
10-25-2015, 10:59 AM
#5
You do not want to have the power steering leaking oil for a long amount of time (6 months or longer) because it will drip on the lower control arm bushings and rot them out. Then you have another thing to fix.
BTW, the power steering uses DEXRON ATF oil, not the standard brake fluid.
BTW, the power steering uses DEXRON ATF oil, not the standard brake fluid.
10-25-2015, 10:09 PM
#6
Agreed. I changed my control arm bushings because of this.
You do not want to have the power steering leaking oil for a long amount of time (6 months or longer) because it will drip on the lower control arm bushings and rot them out. Then you have another thing to fix.
BTW, the power steering uses DEXRON ATF oil, not the standard brake fluid.
BTW, the power steering uses DEXRON ATF oil, not the standard brake fluid.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
worldwiderecognized
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
6
11-10-2015 05:25 AM