Hi everyone!
A couple weeks ago I noticed my car was making grinding noises in the morning when I turned the wheel. The noise seemed to go away after driving 5-10 minutes. Upon further inspection I found that my power steering fluid was quite low to almost empty, so I topped it off and the noise went away but a week later I checked the fluid level and it was low again. I looked underneath the car and there was no visible leak, no oil stain, but the fluid level seemed to be consistently going down. I took the car to the shop today and they told me that they couldn’t identify the leak since they found no oil under the car and around the hose, they suspected it might be the
power steering pump
, but they couldn't be sure unless they take things apart to inspect the pump, they said they will charge 3-4 hours of labor just to access the pump, and if its not the pump they might need to charge more to access other parts. Do you think they are reasonable with the assessment? Is there any way to check if the pump is leaking from top or side of the engine?
Thanks in advance!!
Hi - sorry for the delayed response. The shop is shitting you.. fluid doesn't evaporate. When you have a chance - lay down so you can see the steering rack. At each end, there are round accordion-like boots. Gently squeeze each end. There should be absolutely no fluid in those boots. If there is fluid there the seal on your steering rack has gone to seal heaven.
You have a
Cayman
and obviously you know how to remove the top engine cover. You might try also removing the front engine cover and taking a look at the pump and the lines going to it. German cars loved to use crimped metal ends on high-pressure rubber hoses. With time - the rubber shrinks, and oil starts seeping out around the metal end. I actually doubt if that's your issue since you've described a much faster leak.
Faster leak = hose or hose fitting badly damaged, steering rack seal kaput, power-steering pump leaking (really VERY rare), power steering reservoir cracked and leaking.
Take off both engine covers, get a really bright
LED
light and start looking around. Somewhere there is oil.. you just have to find it.
BTW - when you have a chance - please visit the New Members section of the forum and introduce yourself and your
Cayman
- that's sort of a tradition here...
https://www.planet-9.com/forums/new_members/
@deilenberger
I just did what you suggested and gave gentle squeeze to both steering rack boots on both sides and there’s no oil coming out and they both felt bone dry.( I tried to snap some photos but the angle made it very difficult with the wheels on) I will try to open up the engine covers to take a closer look in a couple days. Thank you so much for the detailed response! I will definitely check out the new member section!
This sounds like my steering leak issue on 2009
987.2
. My rack, like yours was not leaking into the boots. Removing the top and front engine covers did not not reveal a squirting leak with the engine running. Oil would just seem to disappear. (Note: the underside plastic body panels can hold a lot of oil)
My leak(s) ended up being the lines to the oil cooler and the to rack. A lot of green oil (Pentosin) on top of the engine. And OEM lines are expensive! I made the mistake of taking the lines to a hydraulic shop here in Houston to have them rebuilt. Lasted about a week. Ended up buying OEM lines and having to do the job again. All is well now.
If you do the job your self, be warned. In
Porsche
's infinite wisdom the pressure line from the pump runs UNDER the AC compressor. I found it to be a PITA to replace that line. But there are good, illustrated instructions available.
I had a power steering line that also failed - the really long one that is about 5-6 feet long & costs a lot
however there were tell tale signs on the under tray of the fluid and on the line. and seem to be an age related failure point.
yes the grinding/moaning sound is a sign.
Mine leaked from hydraulic hose as well. If you keep the steering straight or close to straight you don't see any leak. If you turn it full lock it would spurt out. So maybe try that. Start the car and put it on full lock and then get under the car and see if you see anything.
