jim lovell

2001 Dodge Diesel

What would make the power steering pump pump fluid out the filler cap???

fredbert

Did you happen to stir the oxygen tank immediately before this happened?

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

infidel

Turning the wheel without the engine running often does it.

iaddiesel

I had a 95 that would do that if I turned the wheel with the eng not running,

jim lovell

Ha! Clever guy!

vzdude

What am I mising? O2 Tank? besides that, check your power brakes after shutting the engine off. There is accumulator built in to give 4-5 brake assists after the engine shuts off. If it has gone bad, it will push the excess fluid out the cap. Does this happen all the time, or did it just happen once?

jim lovell

This is the first time this happened, and the brakes went out, too. Luckily i was pulling out of my driveway and did not have my 30' fifth wheel attached. Will appreciate further input on what to do. Thanks a lot!

(O2 tank refers to Jim Lovell the astronauts action before his tank blew up in space. good one )

vzdude

Did the steering still have assist? Is it o.k. now? I have had ( on a wet , cold morning ) my belt slip when the air heaters are on. pushing the brakes with the belt slippping is releasing some excess fluid as well.

jim lovell

No assist, not ok now - still no power steering, no brakes, but there is some fluid in it

vzdude

have seen the pump shaft shear off. Take the cap off while engine is running. Can you see fluid "movement" ? If not, probably sheared the pump shaft off.

vzdude

You can also take the belt off and see if it feels like the pulley and shaft will pull out of the pump ! Seen that along with the shaft shearing.

infidel

No belts or pulleys involved with the Cummins PS system, it's gear driven.

vzdude

With you're 2nd gen. that is a correct statement, however the 3rd gens are belt driven.

jim lovell

Started the engine and there is no fluid movement

vzdude

sounds like a pump failure. still can happen on the gear driven units too. I just re-read the post and missed the 01 ram part! Sorry about that infidel, thought I was in the 3rd gen section! The pump is failry easy to replace, just 4 bolts, and a few hoses.