P/S fluid leaking...but where?

[99Red]

I have been trying to figure out what the heck has been going on with my fiance's 99 Taurus, but I am at a loss of ideas. The P/S fluid was extremely dark and I have noticed that I need to put in some fluid every day or so. THere are no visible leaks and the steering operates just fine, but it does get loud as the fluid level decreases. I am stumped on this one. I read in another post that the tie rod bellows store some fluid, but I'm not sure what that means for repairs...
Is there any possibility that the P/S fluid could be leaking into the coolant system or is there something else I should be looking for?
Thank you all!
Greg

[joe92k1500]

The P/S system has a separate cooler at the bottom of the rad. and a filter on one of the frame rails ( cant remember right of left off hand). So it cant getinto any of the other systems. It has to be leaking somewhere. ITs just a matter of tracing the leak. It is possible that the rack is leaking at the boots. they will hold the fliud s i would check that. Give them a squeze and see what comes out. If not run you finger along all the lines, but i think the rack may be your problem.

[99Red]

If it is the rack, I assume that would be a very expensive repair. If the fluid is accumulating at that boot, would the entire rack need to be replaced?

[joe92k1500]

I've heard that its better to replace the rack with a good remanfd. one. the seals can be replaced but they might leak anyway.The rack itself will be about $200. The labor to have it installed I'm not sure. Some cars are easy and some take time (never really paid attention on my taurus). you would also need an alignment when the job is done.

[joe92k1500]

If you do not plan on keeping the car forever, you might consider looking at having a salvage yard install a used one off of a junked taurus. Should be a lot cheaper. Make sure they guarantee their work though. just a thought.

[99Red]

Hey thanks Joe. I really hope that it is not the rack. I am going to tear the thing apart tomorrow so hopefully I'll know a little better by then. We plan on keeping it for a while, at least as long as we are in our graduate programs. I'll let you guys know what I see under that car. Hopefully it is just a line.
Thanks for the info!
Greg

[sjr8ut]

My Taurus is a little older, but I had a leak in the high pressure hose. It was where a piece of black flexible tubing connects with a metal piece above not too far from the rack. I knew another guy with the same problem. The part was around 30 bucks. It was a pain to fish new tube through, though.
Good luck.

[fubard]

You could try using one of the commercial power steering stop leak product.It may give you some time to sort things out.I believe lucas oil makes a good product.

If you're losing fluid it's going somewhere.If you crank the wheel hard to one side it'll cause a high pressure load on the system.You may be able to spot some leakage then.

If you can't spot a pundle on the ground or on the motor I'd suspect the boots on teh steering are hiding a dark secret.It could also be a leaking high pressure hose....whether it's the rack or the hose either one is a nasty job.