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View Full Version : Need help with Power steering fluid pushed out of reservoir
Rvator51
So a car I am looking at had power steering fluid all over the reservoir and dripping off car. Owner took it to dealer and he says dealer says there is a leak somewhere that is causing the reservoir to pressurize and push the fluid out the top. Dealer could not find least and suggested stop leak in the PS FLUID. Does this sound right? Never heard of reservoir being pressurized from a leak. Seems it would be the opposite and wondering if this might mean a lot worse problem exists?
TopDownIfNoFrostBite
Move on to the next seller
IFLY152
Never heard of reservoir being pressurized from a leak. Seems it would be the opposite and wondering if this might mean a lot worse problem exists?
I've never had a problem like that, but I agree with you that the cause would more likely be a stopped-up P/S line. The pump keeps pumping, pressure builds up, and fluid blows out of the reservoir.
jim dreiling
O-ring seal leaks, at the P/S Pump can cause the oil to "Foam", causeing the reservoir to overflow.
Rvator51
Thanks Jim,
Is it a big deal to replace the o-ring seals?
-Tom
Thumpernator
Rvator51 - Did you build an RV?
jim dreiling
Thanks Jim,
Is it a big deal to replace the o-ring seals?
-Tom
Not too big a deal. Just be sure the mounting tabs (hard lines to pump) aren't bent, or it won't do any good. They can be bent from just leaning on the hard line. They are easy to straighten, as long as the aren't bent too badly.
jim dreiling
Not too big a deal. Just be sure the mounting tabs (hard lines to pump) aren't bent, or it won't do any good. They can be bent from just leaning on the hard line. They are easy to straighten, as long as the aren't bent too badly.
It would be the suction side (from the reservoir to the pump) o-ring leaking, that would introduce air into the system, causing the foaming.
dynotronics1
bad valve in the pump will cause this also
Palmetto Fellow
O-ring seal leaks, at the P/S Pump can cause the oil to "Foam", causeing the reservoir to overflow.
When I empty the PS reservoir and refill, after turning the steering wheel 10-20 times on jack stands, my reservoir level drops some, and the fluid in there looks a bit foamy.
Is this just air working its self out?
jim dreiling
Yes, mostly. There will always be a little foaming, but not so much as to cause a reservoir overflow.
mx5mia
I stopped the foaming in my p-u truck by jacking the front up so both wheels are off the ground. (Dodge instructions)
With the motor turned OFF, rotate the steering wheel from stop to stop back and forth a couple times. With the lid off the reservoir, do this until your helper tells you no more bubbles are coming up.
Excess foaming can cause the fluid to boil over and can damage the pump. Don't ask me how I know this for sure.......
jim dreiling
bad valve in the pump will cause this also
While this can be true, I've never seen, or heard, of it happening on an NC. While I have seen, and repaired a few O-rings, and found the mount tabs bent, which caused the leak/overflow.
Rvator51
Rvator51 - Did you build an RV?
Yes, second one is just about ready to fly.
Rvator51
For all you helpful replies! I know what to look for now and will get to the bottom of it when I pick up the car tomorrow.
Thumpernator
Yes, second one is just about ready to fly.
I built the first RV-6 in Georgia. No quick builds back then.
Sorry to lead this thread astray.
Rvator51
Any recommendations for the best power steering fluid to use? I checked on Amazon for redline ps fluid and they had redline but said it wasn't the right fluid for the Miata.
Rvator51
It looks like I may have found the problem. It looks like the hose that goes from the power steering pump to the reservoir is leaking right at the power steering unit. if you press down on the fitting slightly you can see air bubbling out. Ordered o-ring kit and also a new fitting from Mazda dealer and should be here tomorrow. I think Jim may have it right in his post that the mount tab may be slightly bent and that is causing the problem. Thanks again for all the help!
Tom
Palmetto Fellow
Any recommendations for the best power steering fluid to use? I checked on Amazon for redline ps fluid and they had redline but said it wasn't the right fluid for the Miata.
Hmm...I like Mobil One ATF. $10/qt locally available advance auto.
It may not be the BEST fluid, but it's tier 1
e-hut7
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Power Steering Oil Seal.
I found this thread and had a couple of questions. (I just joined the Miata.Net)
I replaced my serpentine belt, idler & tensioner pulleys on my Mazda MX-5 this past weekend & when I started my car up the PS pump immediately began to whine as if it was going out. My thought was the new belt's grooves were gripping properly resulting in the PS pump whine until I found this thread. My car seems to have all of the symptoms of the original poster of this thread (PS pump whine, excessive bubbling & leaking from PS reservoir).
Neither the hi pressure or reservoir metal lines on the pump seem to be leaking & the mazda dealership parts guy "has never ever heard of this in the 15 yrs he's worked on mazdas". same goes for the o'reilly's employee, although he was much nicer. I know I had to move the PS lines a bit to install the belt but I didn't think it would create an issue. Guess I was wrong. Any advice would be much appreciated.
My question: was the hi pressure or reservoir line on the PS pump and was it just a new o-ring on the pump housing that was the solution? I was looking for the "metal tab" referred to earlier but it does not look bent. Just curious how y'all solved the issue.
Thanks!
Rvator51
I replaced both at same time so dont know if it was the o-ring or the tab or both that fixed it.
e-hut7
when you say tab are you referring to the connection on the reservoir line on the PS pump? Thanks!
e-hut7
Here is a pic of what I'm seeing. The "tab" (to my understanding) is labeled. Just wanted to make sure I was correct before starting on it. http://tinyurl.com/jdr7pvh
txm
Timely resurrection of the thread.
Car ran fine this morning. Installed larger injectors this evening. Then I start the car and the PS reservoir starts overflowing foamy oil.
At least now I have some things to investigate. Sounds like most problems are between the reservoir and the pump. Maybe I leaned on the hose and caused a o-ring to leak?
e-hut7
I replaced my serpentine belt and pulleys and immediately upon starting up the car the power steering pump was whining and the reservoir was over flowing.
Trouble is there isn't a massive leak coming from either lines going into the PS pump. May be a little wet on the reservoir line side but no smoking gun as they say.
jim dreiling
You won't see much of a leak on the suction side, because the pump is sucking oil and air, which is the cause of the foaming, 99% of the time. It takes very little pressure on the metal tube suction line to tweak it and make it start letting air into the pump.
Arved
I've never had a problem like that, but I agree with you that the cause would more likely be a stopped-up P/S line. The pump keeps pumping, pressure builds up, and fluid blows out of the reservoir.
Except the pump takes fluid from the reservoir. It has to travel through the whole system before returning to the reservoir. If a line is clogged, it will cause pressure between the pump and the clog, and the clog will prevent fluid from returning to the reservoir.
Something else must be going on to cause fluid to blow out the reservoir. Air entering the system is a likely candidate.
txm
My cause was the o-ring in the metal intake bracket. $1.50 for a new o-ring and a couple minutes with a 12mm wrench and it wasgood again.
cn
It happened to me when I was on a track, I guess it just got over heated! It only happened in for of the section, then it was fine again. But I do find that my power steering fluid is more than before now, now its half inch higher than the Max point.......Any body know why is that?
goldenpony
I just experienced a similar problem. Changed the serpentine belt on wife's '08 GT with 75K on the clock. Shortly after, started hearing a whine. Checked around and found PS Reservoir low on fluid and fluid on outside of Reservoir. Added fluid and started engine. after a short while I saw foamy oil in Reservoir coming out of fill cap. I fail to understand the connection of changing the belt and now losing fluid out the fill cap.
After reading other posts, maybe I should change the o ring on top of the pump? I am puzzled.
jim dreiling
Any pressure exerted on the P/S suction line can bend the mounting flange, causing the pump to suck air.
hufflepuff
All, can you elaborate on "bent mounting tab" and which o-ring to buy? i have all these same issues but the pictures seems to be down.
This issue started immediately after disconnecting the upper line that runs from the reservoir to the top of the pump.
EDIT: some good info here. https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=&highlight=steering+whine
https://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=&ukey_make=995&ukey_model=&modelYear=&ukey_category=
Is the o-ring #5 in the mazda diagram? it does not appear to be available separately.
jim dreiling
Yes, the #5 o-ring is correct, and no, it's not available separately. The single bolt mounting tab is easily bent when disconnecting the hose, from the pipe. It's better to unbolt the pipe prior to removing the hose from it. Using a straightedge, for checking, you can straighten the mount tab. You can take the original o-ring to an auto parts store to obtain a match/replacement.
hufflepuff
Yes, the #5 o-ring is correct, and no, it's not available separately. The single bolt mounting tab is easily bent when disconnecting the hose, from the pipe. It's better to unbolt the pipe prior to removing the hose from it. Using a straightedge, for checking, you can straighten the mount tab. You can take the original o-ring to an auto parts store to obtain a match/replacement.
Now I get you!! This is exactly the info and confirmation I was hoping for. You're the man, Jim! Thanks again.
jim dreiling
You got it. Glad to help out. :wave:
wobeil
Does this issue effect only 06 or ard later models also effected?
jim dreiling
Does this issue effect only 06 or ard later models also effected?
It can happen to any NC. I'm not sure how the pump connections, on other generations, are handled.
wobeil
It can happen to any NC. I'm not sure how the pump connections, on other generations, are handled.
Thank you Jim!
hufflepuff
Does anyone here have dimensions or a part number for an alternative o ring, instead of buying the Mazda kit? I seem to recall one thread where someone found a suitable viton replacement.
hufflepuff
Pictures of the hard pipe/flange and the o-ring attached. This suction flange bolts to the side of the P/S pump. I had to remove the intake pipe and the four bolts to the throttle body (leave the coolant lines ATTACHED!) and wiggle it out of the way, then you have a very clear shot to the single bolt that holds the hard pipe flange to the P/S body.
Thanks again for everyone's help.
jim dreiling
Any recommendations for the best power steering fluid to use? I checked on Amazon for redline ps fluid and they had redline but said it wasn't the right fluid for the Miata.
The PS system requires Dexron IV fluid.
Knack
Not meaning to resurrect an old thread but I was having the same problem. I thought my suction hose was not sealing. Then doing a final quick search here ( I don't know why I didn't find it before) I rad where Jim mentioned the o-ring on the suction side. So I pulled off the suction tube from the pump and found a dried up o-ring. For those playing at home and need a quick fix, its a 14x2 from the harbor freight green o-ring kit. Fits like a glove and solved my problem.
Thanks Jim.:thumbs:
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