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YOUR RESEARCHPictures of Power Steering Fluid Leaks
Leading reported evidence
Replace every o-ring
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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Leading evidence: 'Replace every o-ring' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace 2 years ago' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
But in answer to your question, I wish I replaced my lines when my engine was out last year.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
You can get re-builts for around $1200.00 used even less, but you don�t know how long it will last.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Yeah, something I didn't think about replacing 2 years ago when my indy had my engine out going thru my 10 year refresh.
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Anybody have pictures of where their power steering fluid leaks originated? I have one and pictures always help to see what and where I should be looking. Thanks!
Only really 2 or 3 spots it happens. The return fitting in the back. Thus causes fluid to pool on top of the engine and drip down behind the pullys. Easy to see from the top. The other 2 spots r either the high pressure connection to the pump (has an o-ring) or the crimp connection on the hp line about 6" from the pump. Remove the air box to check. U should a have view of the issue. Sorry no pics and my guess is the crimp.
Appreciate it. Weather is warming up in Chicago so its time i figure out where the leak is coming from. I never studied the power steering system in the 996 so I am starting from scratch.
Only decent pic i could find. Its with the ac comperessor pulled up u can see the hp line snakes under the ps pulley. The crimp from soft to hard line is to the right. 3.4l motor
They can also happen at the seals on the power steering rack� ask me how I know� A new rack costs $6-7k. You can get re-builts for around $1200.00 used even less, but you don�t know how long it will last. Installation will vary.
Mine was on the R side as well. I could feel wetness at this junction up top.
Some people have reported success replacing the O-rings. That didn't work in my case. Ended up having to replace the line.
Folks, thanks for your help. Another quick question. Power steering fluid is said to be corrosive. What would you recomend to use to clean it off the engine and rubber plastic bits that it may have dripped on.
Who said ? The Pentosin hydraulic fluid evaporates off my driveway in a couple days without hosing it down. If it spills on your engine, soak it up with paper towels or a rag as much as you can. Leave the rest. If it spills on your plastic bits, wipe it off. Under no circumstances do you hose down your engine bay with a garden hose.
Mine was the o-ring between the new pump and old reservoir. Don't ask why I didn't replace it... I can't see this going bad unless you've recently disturbed it.
And yes, unfortunately familiar with the pools of PS fluid on the engine. what a pain to clean up. After sopping it all up, wipe down with one of ZEP products.
An old DIY thread with lots of pictures for those that have a steering fluid leak.
How To Replace Leaking Rear High Pressure Power Steering Hose 1999 996 - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Those things will leak! I took mine apart and replaced EVERY o-ring. Now it doesn't leak. When I took my engine out there was a HUGE puddle of fluid on top of the crank. The steering was fine as the leak was between the secondary reservoir and the pump res. so the pump always had fluid but every time you filled it, it would escape almost immediately. Good luck!
Thanks and congrats to you and your wife on the build. Great to see what you did and how you did it.
Question on the o-rings. Where did you source them?
I have my motor out and looks like reservoir is a little wet on the backside along with the pressure line where bracket is.. my AOS valve also is wet so not sure if pressure line is actually leaking or if it was old oil slowly dripping. Clarifying, I never had to refill reservoir and never had a drip.
maybe is residual from when I removed primary tank??
Any thought on if I should just replace the pressure line while in there and new o-ring on return line/tank attachment? The long list of �while you�re in there� is getting very long. Lol
In the next couple of weeks I'll become an expert of the power steering system as I work thru my issues and learn all about the weak links. But right now I am flying blind. But in answer to your question, I wish I replaced my lines when my engine was out last year. Didn't think about it at the time. But 20+ year old lines and connectors will eventually deteriorate.
Those pictures do not show an active leak. I would leave it alone if I were you and just clean it up. You could just replace the two or three orings on the reservoir.
The good news about o-rings is that you can get them anywhere. The only requirement is that they need to be nitrile to be oil/fluid resistant. I bought this kit from Amazon:
https://amzn.to/3xrTf05
. However there will be a few that will be an odd-ball thickness. Those you'll have to source seperetely.
Make sure you replace the tiny o-ring on the hard-line in the front. However, mine and most leak from the o-ring that connects the primary tank (the one you don't see) to the pump OR from the secondary to the primary (the one you see).
Here's a link to my video where I discuss the pump and the o-rings.
You Tube
Thanks Yogi. Your video as always is helpful. Appreciate it. We are supposed to have warm weather this weekend in Chicago, so I plan on getting in there to find the leak.
Figured this may be as good of a place as any to put this photo.
The hard line into the back of the PS fluid tank on mine was leaking enough that I was steadily losing fluid. It took a while to track down as it was also pooling on top of the motor and dripping in random areas. I ended up removing all of the black coating stuff (whatever it is) and did a trial run on heat shrink tubing. It's all I could think of and it's chemical resistant, right?
Trimmed the end off (obviously), but it hasn't leaked in a year now!
Thanks and congrats e30.
I am dropping the car off at my indy on Monday. With limited wrenching skills I decided not to try this on my own. Planning a trip in my 996 over easter weekend from chicago to phila and dont want to deal with any mistakes i may make. But I will ask my indy for plenty of pictures. Depending on their timing to fix the car, I may even stick around for the job.
Keep you guys posted.
The factory coating was some sort of epoxy coating....i think? I sanded mine to bare metal when i changed out my orings and it worked. I like the heat shink idea better.
Just got a picture from my Indy on the leak. Looks like it is a deteriorated 21 year old high pressure line. Heat from the block eventually did it in.
Gonna have then replace the high and low pressure lines while they are in there. I'm good for another 21 years.
Good thread just had my Indy do a oil change and had to top off my PS fluid, said I have a small leak. I didnt realize I was driving around like this for 6 months with it low
Yeah, something I didn't think about replacing 2 years ago when my indy had my engine out going thru my 10 year refresh. Something to be said about "while you are in there" when dealing with 20+ year rubber and plastic parts if you are not a skilled DIYer. At least we know the PS parts last a good 2 decades.
Sorry to revive this thread but I couldn't find anyone else have the same leak I seem to be having on the line itself halfway between the engine and the front. So it's leaking in fornt of the rear wheel on the passemger side. Here's a pic for reference.
