DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Car help please

Hi all - we are leaving Florida today to start the trip home to Cleveland. Last night, my Explorer started making a groaning noise whenever the steering wheel was turned - even slightly. This morning, there is a small puddle of fluid under the engine, near the front, which I think is power steering fluid.

My questions are:
*should the power steering reservoir be dry? (engine is cold)
*would an additive that claims to "stop leaks", along with topping off the fluid, fix the problem enough for my trip home?

There's not many options on a Sunday, and I'd really like to avoid retail repairs from the likes of Pep Boys, etc.

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

If you can find it where you're at, I've had success with Lucas power steering fluid/stop leak. It's about the most expensive of the bunch, but has worked for minor leaks.

Ditto...mine crapped out on me early winter, didn't want to fix it so used Lucas and it has not dropped a bit of fluid all winter or squeeled.
Good product, good band aide.

I just got rid of my 1997 Explorer that was doing the same thing, I never figured out what was wrong with it but put 10,000 miles on it after it was making that noise. On turns does it make a clunking sound, or just sound like a grinding noise? I checked my power steering fluid and it never needed any though. Im not sure how to help you other than telling you mine did the same thing but I just drove mine locally because of it. Ive found out some bad things about the Explorers since I bought mine used a few years ago. Junk IMO. Good luck.

No the reservoir should not be dry.
Take a look at the power steering dipstick.there will be full marks for a hot or cold engine.
You have a leak in your system.When air enters a power steering system,you get the groaning noise.
Either a power steering hose,or the pump itself is leaking.
After you repair the leak and fill the reservoir turn the wheel back and forth,lock to lock to purge air from the system.

If you can't find Lucas, look for a product that offers a money back guarantee.

Its a high pitched whine when you turn the wheel even slightly that turns into a groan the wheel is turned fully.

Is this the first time you have seen the puddle? Or has it been there before? If it has been slowly leaking the groaning you heard was an indication your power steering fluid is low and over time you have gotten to that point. If it appeared suddenly you have a larger leak that has just happened.

Lucas leak stopper will slow down the leak but not really stop it completely if you have a large leak.Get the lucas and put it in and get yourself a large bottle of power steering fluid and check it every time you stop for gas on the way home. It is important to not allow the power steering pump to run completley dry because then you can be causing yourself more costly repairs.

Another old school thing to do is to add some tranny fluid to your power steering resevoir. Tranny fluid gets real thick and gummy and will slow the leak down as well as coat the other moving parts and help preserve them. You dont want to do this if you are under any kind of warranty.

KING

Would the Lucas stop-leak work even if its the pump?

Found the Lucas at the local AutoZone - thanks.

If the pump seals are leaking, yes.

I think its a new leak - its actually my wife's vehicle. I just want to get the thousand mile trip in. If I use stop-leak and add more fluid, I'm hoping it'll get us home. Just don't want to think about the power steering cutting out on me in the mountains on I-77 ...

This may be a dumb question, but if I don't have power steering, will I still have regular non-power steering?

Thanks for the info, guys. We're taking off here. If push comes to shove, thank God for AAA and Visa Cards. Will update when I can get a connection.

Hi kids, just to update, we got to our 1st day stop fine. I checked the reservoir twice on the way with very little fluid lost. I went out to the parking lot at our hotel a few minutes ago and there is a small spot underneath, so there's still a leak. But no biggie, I hope, because I have some extra PS fluid to add if needed.

Thanks again to all who posted replies ... I had a bad night last night worrying about the car and whether we'd get home okay, but it ran great, at least to this point,

Be sure not to overfill the Power steering resevoir,that will make the leak worse.

Glad we coiuld help

KING

I replaced a power steering pump on my SUV a few months back. If thats all you need to do---it isn't that difficult. I think you gotta undo like 3 hoses a few bolts and buy a new pump and pulley for like 175 bucks.

Putting the pulley on the pump is pretty tough if you don't get it started right, and unless you removed the serpentine belt and probably a cooling fan it will be pretty tough to get too. You might be able to get around it.....

and fyi, once the seal goes the thing is junk.