Power steering overflowing

[JAG1]

Anyone know why I would have my power steering fluid overflowing? All was fine for 3 weeks without driving it (Driveway statue) and then one hot day it's coming out the cap. With truck sitting idle for 3 weeks, suddenly the fluid is at the top and overflowing.

[joecool911]

Loosing any engine oil?

[JAG1]

Thanks joe for another worry.... Just kidding. Do you mean oil from crankcase into vacuum pump then into steering fluid resovoir?

[joecool911]

Yes.

[rburks]

Do you mean the truck set for 3 weeks and when you ran it after it setting for 3 weeks the P/S is now overflowing or do you mean it just randomly overflowed while setting, not being ran or drove for 3-weeks,,,

if it just "overflowed while setting, "not being started or ran i would say that if you had added oil before being parked and was cold. now the p/s oil has expanded during warm weather. all i can thin off if motor has not ran

Edited June 15, 2015 by rburks

[JAG1]

I think it's that the PS fluid was old, about 7 years, probably foamed up and then on the first hot day we had it sat there three weeks without moving BTW, it simply expanded in the resovior.

I'm hoping anyhow.

[rburks]

Thats all i can see happening, i mean without engine running that rules out any seals failing

[joecool911]

I hope that's all it is. Worth a try for sure to flush system and refill.

[TFaoro]

I've been through 3 PS pumps and still haven't figured out why mine overheats and spills out everywhere.... Hopefully your problem isn't the same!

[Mopar1973Man]

I've seen one case of that on my truck but after changing the fluid out the problem was gone. I'm due to flush mine out right now just need the time to do it.

[IBMobile]

What is the best way to flush this system?  Is it take the return hose off at the pump, the steering box, or the hydro-boost? 

[Mopar1973Man]

Here is write up AH64ID did for common rails...

http://articles.mopar1973man.com/3rd-generation-dodge-cummins/53-engine-system/119-power-steering-flush

 

Basically the same but the return hose comes off at the back of the power steering pump. Return lines are easy to spot being they are hose clamped on and pressure screw into the pump.

[JAG1]

It was weird seeing that rather large area of oil, to suddenly show up like tha,t knowing I had not driven the truck for 3 weeks.

I going to do the return line disconnect instead of my usual turkey baister flush. Might be part of the problem mixing with the old fluid that a baister never gets out.

[Mopar1973Man]

That is part of the problem. The pump only hold maybe a pint where the power steering gear box hold nearly a full quart to itself. Then you have the hydro boost with maybe another pint. So just pulling a few ounces out of the pump did nothing for the other quart and a half of fluid.

[JAG1]

Yep, you won't find me arguing that point Mike, as I've never seen such a surprise with my truck just sitting for weeks suddenly spewing PS fluid.

[Mopar1973Man]

Kind of like unscrewing the oil filter and dumping out the oil filter to change oil in the truck.

[JAG1]

Kind of like unscrewing the oil filter and dumping out the oil filter to change oil in the truck.

Thanks a lot Mike, makes me feel real good. At least you drove the point home, got it thru my concrete head.

[Mopar1973Man]

Not meant to be cruel but to drive the point home.

[banzaitoyota]

So straight ATF+4 in the reservoir? Lucas power steering fluid is potentially bad for the system? Thinking about flushing soon so formulating my plan of action!

[Mopar1973Man]

1989 to 2002 is strictly Power Steering Fluid.

 

2003 and up is strictly ATF+4.

 

Don't use ATF in out systems it will cause leaks and seal problems. As for fluid additives none are needed. Just need to change the fluid every 30k miles. I'm at 247k miles now still leak free on the gear box.