Hey guys,
I've had my 2000 Maxima for a while now and I fixed the power steering hose leak at the T connector with the $200 OEM Nissan hose. But I'm still losing power steering fluid and I can't tell where it's leaking from.

It's dripping directly onto the 02 sensor and causing it to smoke and smell horrible inside the cabin. I've tried to reproduce the leak but haven't had any luck...I get under the car while it's running and can't see a thing. I have a helper turn the wheels side to side or rev up the engine and nothing seems to come out from anywhere. Has anyone had anything similar to this happen? I'm guessing the only other things it could be are the suction hose or the pump itself.

 

it's common for the pump power steering pump itself to leak behind the pulley.. so far I changed the pump and the suction hose soon after.

 

Thanks for the answer! I have a couple questions if you don't mind:

Did you go with an aftermarket pump? I've used aftermarket pumps in the past with other cars and the steering was really stiff after, like it just wasn't the quality I got with OEM. I would rather not do that again.

Was the install difficult?

 

Spray it down really good with some atmosphere killer (brake cleaner) and make sure the Banjo fitting is tight and the crush washers (Were hopefully new?) are installed correctly and damaged upon installation. If your suction hose is hard as a rock, it's your problem dude. It isn't pliable any longer just petrified rubber and the fluid flows right past it!

 

I went with the cheapest power steering pump I could find, it didn't even come with a new pulley. It's been at least 5 years and it's been ok.

the hardest part was the slow process of tightening the tensioner with a wrench after adjusting it.

My leak originally happened about a week or 2 after doing a thorough fluid flush. new fluid raises system pressure and may cause leaks on older vehicles...

 

So you think hydraulically pressure is different per fluid? Psi of water is difference with oil? Hmmmmmmmmm