[dign_in]

Today was my second trip to the dealer. I showed them there is oil residue on the airbox, the airbag sensor on inner fender and on the banjo fitting on the high pressure line. They found no leak. There is dye in my ps reservoir and I already did the blacklight test myself. FOUND NOTHING! Anyone else have this problem? This sh*t is getting on my nerves!

The stealer did wash my truck for me though...hopefully not with dish soap!

 

[97TacoDude]

The truck will still go around corners without power steering, trust me. My first car blew a PS hose and shot fluid all over the place and I drove that thing for a year before selling it to some idiot who thought the car was in perfect condition. It turned but it was hard as heck, so hard that after a few weeks the steering wheel was starting to get bent!

 

[rainman]

Check your CV boots... I had one go and it threw grease all over the the starter, engine. I'm not sure if it could get to your airbox, but that might be it.

 

[sjvicker]

The truck will still go around corners without power steering, trust me. My first car blew a PS hose and shot fluid all over the place and I drove that thing for a year before selling it to some idiot who thought the car was in perfect condition. It turned but it was hard as heck, so hard that after a few weeks the steering wheel was starting to get bent!

I've been driving my tacoma for a couple of weeks now without power steering while I wait to get the parts I need to fix it. It's just harder to turn and you have to remember the no thumbs in the wheel spokes rule when going through big slush piles.

 

[97TacoDude]

Yea always keep your thumbs out of the wheel because getting one jammed or hyperextended really sucks a large cock!

 

[dign_in]

Check your CV boots... I had one go and it threw grease all over the the starter, engine. I'm not sure if it could get to your airbox, but that might be it.

Check my cv boots about every other week. They're all still good. Power steering is still working. It would be a b*tch to have to turn the 32's without power steering! Maybe if I keep going back to the stealer, they'll just get tired of seeing me and replace the whole pump assembly.

 

[atwinda]

Try a different dealership? Are you sure it's PS fuild? Pressure wash the engine compartent to remove what's there now, and then take it for a spin. See if you can find the origin of the fluid..

 

[dign_in]

Yeah, I plan on cleaning the compartment and monitor it for the next couple of weeks. The only other Toyota dealership around here is over an hour and a half away. They may tell me the same thing. I'll clean it and check it with the blacklight.

 

[atwinda]

Yeah, the closet dealer to me is an hour away.. so I still suggest that you see a second dealer. They may just replace it without question.. you never know...

 

[dign_in]

Thanks, I guess it would be worth the drive. I'll be sure to call em first.

 

[dign_in]

Okay, I think I found the leak. Does anyone know what size hose the return line on the pwr steering pump is?

 

[Shakerhood]

That is EXACTLY what happened when my P/S Pump went out, I started noticing oil residue on my airbox and kept cleaning it over and over, so I finally changed the pump out and cleaned it off and has been good to go ever since.

 

[dign_in]

Cool, now if only there was a way to convince those tight asses at the dealership to change it out....hmmm. They act as though they are paying for the part out of their own pockets.

 

[Dick Foster]

Just because there is oil residue does not necessarly mean that it is from the power steering system. How is your AC? There is also lubricating oil in the AC gas charge. A leak in that system will also deposit an oily residue under the hood and the PS pump is close to the AC compressor (pump). However if the front seal in the PS pump is going out, it take sabout 30min, to replace all the seals in the pump with new ones. However, that does not include the R&R which is by far the hardest part of the job.

 

[Blinkin2000]

I had the same problem, but the dealer caught it when i had my 30,000 service. Changed it out, no problem.

Good luck

 

[Shakerhood]

Cool, now if only there was a way to convince those tight asses at the dealership to change it out....hmmm. They act as though they are paying for the part out of their own pockets.

Find a different Dealer!

 

[not2XS]

Okay, I think I found the leak. Does anyone know what size hose the return line on the pwr steering pump is?

3/8" is close, but an incredibly tough fit. I would guess the next metric equivalent, 10mm, but not positive.

 

[Shakerhood]

Just because there is oil residue does not necessarly mean that it is from the power steering system. How is your AC? There is also lubricating oil in the AC gas charge. A leak in that system will also deposit an oily residue under the hood and the PS pump is close to the AC compressor (pump). However if the front seal in the PS pump is going out, it take sabout 30min, to replace all the seals in the pump with new ones. However, that does not include the R&R which is by far the hardest part of the job.

Dick, I saved my old pump after I changed it out so if the new one goes bad I will have one already rebuilt. Which is my question, where can I find a rebuild kit with seals? Thanks!

 

[Mike]

Dick, I saved my old pump after I changed it out so if the new one goes bad I will have one already rebuilt. Which is my question, where can I find a rebuild kit with seals? Thanks!

You can get a seal kit from the dealer. Just make sure to tell them if it's a 4cyl or 6cyl pump, the pumps are different.

Later,
....Mike

 

[Dick Foster]

Your local stealership.