hey i have a 5-speed 92 se w/207xxx miles on it. it recently developed a whining which i correctly assumed to be the power steering pump. i checked the fluid and see orange bubbly liquid in the res. i know it used to be some what clear. also, when i stop at stoplights, and idle, about 10 seconds after i stop, i smell gas, i am using the defroster, fan speed on one. is there any connection between the two, and can i drive without the powersteering pump working? is there a auto shutoff sensor so that the motor isnt wrecked and wont freeze up, wrecking the belt, and so on? thanks this is freds brothers car

 

First,the gas smell is most likely the fuel rail hoses clamps need to be tightened up,or the rubber fuel hoses are cracked and need to be replaced..

Second..there is no sensor that will shut the motor off if your pump freezes up,and it will be a big pain in the **** to drive it without power steering,and a little dangerous...

 

1. you can drive without power steering, it'll just end up destroying your rack and pinion
2. just take off the belt from the power steering pump
2. as far as the gas smell goes, it's in the stickies. it's probably a bad fuel line or 2

 

i have a 91 max with 189xxx but its automatic(not sure if it matters) my car recently started making that noise

is there anything that you have done to fix it

how much is a power steering pump and about how hard is the install, or is there anywhere i get get some more info on disconnecting the pump

thanks
mike

 

Have you checked the p/s fluid??? I might be low...

 

Uh, on a VE, no PS Pump Belt = no water pump belt = no drive

 

Check these pictures to show you where the problem with the gas smell is.

Pictures

Most prob it is the small 2" hose connecting the fuel rails that needs to be changed. Tightening it will only slove the problem temporarily and then it will come back.

 

i took it to autozone and the guy said that the lines were gunked up with something and told me ty try and blow them out with like an air hose or replace them all together. any one ever heard of this?

thanks
mike

 

Blowing the hoses out with an air hose is pointless. You will have to take off the upper intake manifold to get to the hoses off to blow them out. If you are going through all that trouble, do yourself a favor and replace all the hoses while you are in there. Get ready for sticker shock, I bought my fuel hoses at courtesy nissan and they charged $25 per foot. I went ahead and replaced everything from the fuel filter to the fuel rails for $50.

 

I thought it had it's own belt .
Oh well, I'll check the FSM shortly. it's downloading now

 

really? how bad and how long before you get rack damage. if i am leaking Ps fluid at a moderate rate.....and the beater max i got for 200$ bucks was bone dry at purchase...should I be concenrned? if thier a test for this? my front end seams tight.....and i have added since then

 

oops, it on the same belt as the waterpump

find a shorter belt to run the water pump only

 

unknown. some last a long time, some die PDQ.
if the steering isn't sticking I wouldn't be concerned yet

 

On The Gas Smell Subject.in The Winter I Had To Wait Till The Car Warmed Up.cause One Of My Hoses Was Leaking On The Gas Rail. Thats A Dealer Part.had To Wait 5 Days For A 2 In. Piece Of Rubber. And 25 Bucks . But Problem Gone. My 89 Has 2 Hoses On The Rail May Wanna Check It.