I have a power steering pump ('91 W350) that is pumping considerable fluid out the inlet neck (I didn't think it had this much in it!) making a huge mess...

Is this ez to fix / find / replace ? Is reman the way to go?

Of course the steering is not working too hot.... and the reservoir is always full when I check...(endless fountain) I've just run it a few miles, not a few hrs...

Any advice appreciated.
janb

 

is it airated or foamy? try jackin up the front end and bleed in the sys. turn left then right ext... w/o slammin the stops. this will help get air out. or it could be a bad gear box not distributing the fluid correctly and airating it.

 

Ditto what Dan said. When I had my '98 I thought that I was in for a new PS pump for sure. But I kept fooling around trying to get the air out etc. and discovered that I needed to have just about the perfect amount of oil in the reservoir or it would puke.

Don't replace it until you are sure.

Good luck,
JP.

 

What kind of fluid are you running? I had that problem when I bought my truck. Got a new steering box and pump, but before I put the pump on, I filled the old one with automatic tranny fluid, it has never puked since, new pump is still on the shelf. You might wanna try it, every other power steering fluid I used would puke, even synthetic. It might work it might not.

 

this is a recent purchase, so not sure what kind of fluid, but it is clear and smells like Hyd, and came from a commercial trucking Co, so anything is possible.

It worked fine in the summer, but not now that is is cooler ~30-40F (doesn't get too cold here). I had it parked on a fairly steep hill before this happened, so air is a possibility.

 

I have the same thing happening to mine now that its cold out. Also its very hard to steer when its cold and first warming up. I'm probally due for a fuild change.

 

ATF gets pretty thick up here in the cold and has a habit of blowing pressure hoses and other PS seals. Try thinning out the fluid with some thinner hyd. fluid.