Power steering leak 1997 windstar

[tleeburks]

I got a problem with my 97 windstar 3.8l . i started it this morning to warm up and noticed that there was a significant humming of the belt area like the power steering makes. also, as the engine was warming up i notice that a little bit of smoke was coming from the exhaust manifold right directly center facing the front of the vehicle like something was leaking on it. i checked both hoses and actually took one off for better inspection and didn't find a leak. i got some more power steering fluid because it was low and the fluid that was in there looked a little chocolatey. i must of put too much in cause when i killed the engine the fluid came out the top of the cap hole. i didn't have to fill it anymore but the smoke is still present like it is leaking somewhere. i also turned the steering wheel from side to side and the humming is there but not as intense. i can't seem to find the leak if there is one. anyone want to take a stab at what the problem might be? and a solution? thanks.

[wiswind]

Leaking onto the exhaust manifold at the front of the engine.....sounds like it has been blown about by the radiator fan, making it difficult to track down the leak.
IF the leak is onto the REAR exhaust manifold/exhaust pipe...smoke from rear of engine, then I would suspect the steering rack, or the connection of the fluid lines to and from the rack.
For this....you will need to inspect from UNDER the vehicle.
If the leaking is from the fluid line connections, it should be repairable.
If the leak is from the rack.....where the tie rods connect....then it is likely that you need the steering rack replaced.
Inspect the power steering lines going to and from the rack......for signs of rubbing against something that might have caused a leak....or other signs of leakage.
The fluid comes INTO the rack at high pressure, and the fluid comes out at low pressure.

I would highly recommend that you change the power steering fluid.
The fluid that you will use is TRANSMISSION fluid.
I would get some Mobil 1 ATF for this.
I recommend the Mobil 1 because it is a quality synthetic, and is readily available.
I have a '96, and have some pictures that might be of help to you that you can get to by using the link in my signature.

I do NOT have pictures posted that show how I flushed my power steering fluid.
Now, on my '96, the power steering fluid resevoir is mounted onto the side of the power steering pump.
At some point, I don't know what year, they moved the resevior to the inner fender.
So, with my setup, I remove the power steering fluid RETURN hose from the front, bottom of the power steering fluid resevoir....and IMEDIATELY plug the opening to prevent the fluid that is in the power steering resevoir from draining out.
Look at the return line, and choose a spot that you can remove the line and direct it into a container.
You can buy a section of clear hose and slide over the end of the line to get additional length to get to a container.

Now, you want to avoid emptying the power steering fluid resevoir during this process, to avoid getting air bubbles into the fluid system.
I use about 3 quarts of new ATF total to flush the fluid.
It is easyiest to have a 2nd person to crank the engine.
You can disable the fuel pump to prevent the engine from starting....as with the engine running, you will find it most difficult to keep the situation under control.
1 person cranks the engine for a couple seconds, while turning the steering wheel, and the 2nd person adds fresh ATF to the power steering resevoir as the fluid is pumped out.
I would do this in several second cycles.......when the steering wheel reaches the limit.....turn the other way to the other limit.
Once you have run about 2.5 quarts of fresh ATF through, reconnect the return line to the base of the resevoir, and fill the resevoir to the full line on the dipstick on the cap.
Put the cap in place, run the engine for a short while.....looking for any leaks.
Then turn off the engine, check the fluid level and adjust as needed.

As far as leaks.....mine does leak a small amount at the point where the hose connects to the resevoir....but that has never gotten over to the exhaust manifold.

I would also recommend that you check the transmission fluid level.
Engine warm, vehicle on level ground, engine running, transmission in PARK.
If you do not find a leak with the power steering, but find the transmission to be low on fluid, then you would need to look for a transmission leak.
On the front of the transmission, there are 2 metal lines that come out.....and go into hoses and go to the base of the back side of the radiator support......at the bottom.
These metal lines go along the bottom of the radiator to the passenger side....and then 1 connects to the top, back side of the radiator side tank, and the other connects to the bottom of the radiator side tank.
The transmission fluid cooler is inside the passenger side radiator side tank......and so these lines, while not common for leakage, would be another thing to look at.

Another possible leak is engine oil.
When under the vehicle.....look where the motor meets the transmission......and check for a leak there.
If the fluid is RED, it is ATF (transmission or power steering system).
Some have reported that their engine oil pan has rusted through......another possible leak.
A valve cover gasket could be leaking......for a leak source that would be up top (but if on the back side......not visible), and running down the motor.