Power steering fluid over-flowing

My 00 SEL, after parking overnight, I noticed some type fluid drippage. Inspection under the hood revealed the power steering fluid over-flowing from the reservoir. Funny thing is that I never replenished the reservoir. Three weeks ago I checked the fluid level which was normal. How all of sudden the fluid volume changes and over-flowing? Sign of contamination? I saw several threads on replacing/draining the fluid but none about this type of problem. Anyone out there has insight on this issue, pls help.

Wajangchang

Have you been hearing any noise in the steering

Yes, it has been occassionally making whining noise when I abruptly steer the van. Someone recommended I bleed the steering system which I did and the noise seems to disappear but not quite. Is this time to replace the fluid?
Wajangchang

I think what happen is your unit is over heating and started over flowing and the escape was the tank. I would go ahead with the change, did mine a few weeks back..

The p/s will overflow if someone turns the steering with the engine off.
I have never seen any other cause before.
I would make sure it is at the right level, clean the area and keep an eye on it. Most Ford p/s pumps do whine to a certain point.

The p/s will overflow if someone turns the steering with the engine off.
I have never seen any other cause before.
I would make sure it is at the right level, clean the area and keep an eye on it. Most Ford p/s pumps do whine to a certain point.
I seen back pressure caused by trash in the system shoot the cap right off one time.But that was an older car.

Thanks for all your help. I will go ahead replace the fluid and report back the results.

Wajangchang

Make sure to use the correct fluid.....
FORD uses transmission fluid in the power steering units....Check your owner's manual.
I believe that you need Mercon rated fluid....if so....I recommend Mobil 1 ATF, which is Mercon....and a synthetic....which should hold up to the heat better.
You can find it at Autozone....and other auto parts stores.

Yes, indeed I needed automatic transmission fluid, not regular power steering fluid. The Auto Part store personnel was also puzzled about that. By the way, I found out why the fluid was overflowing. Apparently the fluid level was too low and air got into the pump. As the fluid gets hot, the volume of the mixture of air and fluid gets bigger and escapes thru the cap. To bleed the power steering system, I had to turn the steering all the way to one direction and followed by the other. Repeated this several times then add fluid. Repeat this process until you see no bubble in the brake fulid reservoir. That took care of my steering problem.

Wajangchang