Tubbyfatty

So the past few days ive seen a spot under my truck. When i park i turn around then park on the correct side of the street. When i turn around its usually in a colisack and i turn the wheel fast, could that cause my leak? I think its power steering fluid, its red and towards the front of the truck. I dont think its tranny fluid but i dont have a dip stick for tranny fluid cause its a manual.

So what could be my leak? Am i correct about it being P/S fluid? Also, how could i check my tranny fluid with out a dip stick since i drive a manual.

Matt16

Check the tranny fluid by undoing the filler bolt on the driver's side (i think) of the tranmission. It's a big bolt (24 or 22mm if I recall). Stick your finger in and if you can feel fluid, then your full, if not, add more with a big syringe (auto parts store).

Check the power steering lines and the PS fluid resevoir. NOTE DO NOT fill the PS resevoir with PS fluid as would be logical. It takes ATF (automatic trans fluid) for some reason.

http://www.familycar.com/CarRepair/FluidLeaks.htm

abecedarian

red fluid on your truck is most likely the power steering fluid. if you can get someone to turn the steering wheel rapidly from lock to lock, maybe even pausing a few seconds holding it against the lock, while you look for leaks you'll probably see something. most likely it's the pressure hose from the pump leaking, but you can't be sure until you check.
And don't get fooled. Like Matt16 said, the power steering system uses Dexron II (or its successor), not common "power steering fluid".

your manual trans doesn't use the same oil as an automatic uses, so it's probably not that.

Tubbyfatty

Wow really, ATF for power steering? wierd.

Thanks for the tip, I just bought some PS fluid the other day and i havent used it yet.

the_ocho

pretty much all car makers except for GM and Honda use ATF for power steering. GMs actually use power steering fluid and honda uses Honda power steering fluid.

Tubbyfatty

Yea my last car was a GM so thats why ive never heard of it lol.

abecedarian

so, find your leak?

the_ocho

all it is i a hydraulic system, and all ATF is is a type of hydraulic fluid. oh if you floor jack is ever low you can put power steering fluid or atf in there to top it off. or you can spend the money of jack fluid lol

Tubbyfatty

No, im gonna take a closer look at it tmr morning, since it is really dark and cold out. But i think it is P/S since i have been turning the wheel fast. But then again, you never know.

85TurboRunner

Off topic but yeah I tried this a few weeks ago and was kinda worried it would hurt my jack but I guess not.

Matt16

Having a look under the truck is the easier way to pinpoint the leak. The fluid will drip down it should be obvious where it came from by looking underneath.