Power Steering Pump Leak.

quoted me $21+SH for a Toyota kit to rebuild the power steering pump of a '95 Camry V6. The kit installation instructions from an online database at the public library were encouraging. To date I have not installed the kit, mainly because Toyota dealer mechanics are uncertain that my power steering pump is the source of the drops. Cheers, Gordon

I had a fairly new van which had a very small seep of fluid. At the time, my mechanic told me that to worry that small seeps are very common. Just told me to keep on an eye on the level.

That was three years ago. Added a small amount of fluid for the first time about year ago. Never any problems whatsoever, otherwise.

Had a small Rack and Pinion leak on drivers side and a tiny pump leak. Called dealer and aftermarket store for prices. Both recommended using Lucas Oil Poducts Power Steering stop leak.

They recommend trying it before replacing part. Aftermarket parts shop said that taxi drivers use this stuff all the time. I was kinda weary at first.

I drained the reservoir and added the stop leak until full. the leak took a couple of weeks to stop, but it finally stopped. The bottle cost me about $12 to 15 bucks canadian.

It might not solve this permanently, however >Morning all,

Hi Gordon, Thank you for the reply.

I am a bit like you,I am not 100% sure its from the pump.

The chassis member under that area is sure wet with fluid and odd drips when I park up after doing some miles. But the Steering Fluid Dash pot seems no lower. And I have not added any . I had the fluid changed 3 years ago and I have never needed to top it up.

I wish I could handle a pump or see one in exploded form to just kind of visualise what's happening.Was the kit fitting instrutions on the web . Do you remember the Addy.

Its sure a small unit.

Toyota tell me they have no service kit available. The other 2 replies ( thank you to gentlemen ) Have mentioned Leak Stopper Fluids. I may try that if I can just confirm where its coming from.

I will keep you informed of any progress. Did you see my later post $700 plus fitting for a new one. WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Thanks all that replied.

Johnny UK.

Johnny, I think you should find a new dealer. If your dealer won't print out the section of the service manual that you need and insists that a kit doesn't exist, then go to your public library and ask the reference librarian for access to the "AllData Database":

which supplied me with a 14-page tutorial with schematics for my power steering pump. No doubt the official Toyota service manual would be better, but I would trust allDataPro as much as I trust a Haynes manual.

Good luck!

-Gordon

Hi Again Gordon,

Thanks for that info. There are only the 2 Toyota Centres near me and both are owned by the same company.

However today I have had my Forensic Scientist hat on.

I put a clean tray under my drip point. And got a sample drip given time. Called DRIP 1 Lol.

I then placed to the side of it a drip from my engine oil dipstick. DRIP 2 Plus a drip from Auto Box oil did stick DRIP 3 Plus a drip from Steering Box Dashpot dip stick DRIP 4.

The Drip 1 looks nothing like Drip 3 or 4. But its a dead match for Drip 2. Eg engine oil.

Unless after the steering fluid that is being used in the actual pump is much darker after being in use than in the dashpot as it was. But the dash pot would have dropped anyway.

As I mentioned earlier I was not 100% sure it was steering fluid. Just like you were not sure of in your case. Coz the Dashpot is still full.

At this point I am trying to work out where on the back of the engine near to fire wall and above the Steering Pump I could get a leak from I can only come up with the Rocker Box Cover at this time. Its so damn difficult to see.

So I am hot on the trail now.

Thanks again.

Johnny UK.

I performed the same experiment: on a sheet of white paper a drop from the oil dipstick, a drop from the power steering reservoir, and a drop from the leak under investigation. Then I asked my wife which two matched most closely. The case against the power steering pump suffered.

Fortunately perhaps, it's about time for a timing belt replacement, which will allow me to inspect the camshaft seals, the crankshaft seal and the oil pump seal.

Cheers, Gordon

Gordon,

GOOD NEWS. I cleaned the back of the engine best I could with GUNK and washed it clean.

Fired the engine up and went out on road to give it a warm up. On return it was clear that there was a little leak from the back of ROCKER BOX GASKET. But it was running on to one of the injectors which was hiding it from me before. it then ran down the block direct on to the Steering Pump. Hence the report from the garage inspection.

The rocker head on my 2.2 4 cyl is held down with 30 mm nuts at the top of the Spark Plug tubes.

All 4 nuts tightened up half a turn easy. I could not find any torque figures for them so just had to do by feel.

Today NO LEAK NO DRIP.

I am dying to see the face on the mechanics in garage.

So I am a bit happier.

cheers Johnny UK.