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3.0 power steering pump

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Old Jul 5, 2010 | 03:51 PM
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From: connecticut
3.0 power steering pump

ok so my power steering pump is dieing on me and i want to know what the source of my problem is...the pump itself doesnt leak anything from the seals and holds fluid...my steering box on the other hand is a lil wet from oil coming out but i check the fluid every couple weeks and doesnt lose any fluid out of the resivoir so its deff a slow leak. Now when its at a idle its impossible to turn the wheel but if i rev it up then it has no problem turning left to right.

btw im running 35x12.5's lol maybe that has something to do with it? but ive been running 35's for about 2months and it wasnt as worse as it is now...

someone help please, thanks
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Old Jul 5, 2010 | 04:08 PM
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I'm guessing that the leak in your box is allowing air to get in, which is messing up your pressure in your P/S system.

Have you removed the P/S reservoir cap at idle to see if the fluid looks foamy or is bubbling?
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 02:50 AM
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Originally Posted by PismoJoe
I'm guessing that the leak in your box is allowing air to get in, which is messing up your pressure in your P/S system.

Have you removed the P/S reservoir cap at idle to see if the fluid looks foamy or is bubbling?
i did this yesterday and theres no bubbles or foam visable. its just a real crappy brown color
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 05:39 AM
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Did you ever fill it with power steering fluid? (it takes ATF)

Mine seems to have the same problem ... not sure where the fluid is going, but it definitely drops over time. I'm wondering if I'm burning it somehow getting through the idle-up switch and into the vacuum system.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by tc
Did you ever fill it with power steering fluid? (it takes ATF)

Mine seems to have the same problem ... not sure where the fluid is going, but it definitely drops over time. I'm wondering if I'm burning it somehow getting through the idle-up switch and into the vacuum system.
actually about 5 months ago i drained the whole thing out and put some lucas power steering fluid in but thats about it....i dont lose any power steering fluid at all so idk what the problem is
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:26 AM
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There's your problem ... power steering fluid spells quick death (or it has in my experience) for these systems.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:47 AM
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The idle up solenoid is prone to leaking, and I have sold man of them for that reason.

It leaks into the vacuum lines, then the motor sucks it up. If its not a super fast leak, you won't notice it out the tailpipe. However, you can take your intake boot off and see pretty quickly if the plenum is covered in oil.
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by tc
There's your problem ... power steering fluid spells quick death (or it has in my experience) for these systems.
ohhh ok...so what type of atf would you recommend?
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 02:19 PM
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Anything Dexron - I have had good luck with Greased Lightning tranny fix stuff
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Old Jul 6, 2010 | 06:45 PM
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well today i went ahead drained the old fluid out and put the dexron atf in (thats what it called for on the cap) and it still doesnt turn for nothing....
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Old Jul 8, 2010 | 09:37 PM
  #11  
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Your pump and seals are probably shot, make sure they only see ATF after you replace them.
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