Sunfire 03 huge steering problems

[Tlaloc]

When I was driving the car, the steering was working ok, but when I turn to the right all the way I heard a noise like a thump. Then the steering became very hard to turn, as if it had no steering fluid what so ever. So I stopped after using all my strength to turn, and opened the hood. I notice the steering fluid was all over the engine bay. The fluid had been pushed out of the fluid container with the cap still on. So I waited for a while and then turned the car back on and everything was back to normal. What could be the problem?
Looking foward to your responses.

[matt09524]

Check your lines. If the cap was on, and you had fluid all over the place, then you probably had a line seperate from the fill box thingie. (that's a technical term, btw)

[Tlaloc]

Sorry for the late reply but I had been busy. I checked the lines and they didnt seperate from the box thingie(i was looking for that term thx). I decided to recreate the event, and did the same thing but with the hood open. I turned all the way to the right and accelerated and again I heard the same sound.
The fluid came out through the box with the cap still on. The steering became very hard to turn. Then I turned the car off, took the cap off and fluid was all the way to the top. Then I put the cap on, started the car, and the steering went back to normal, smooth turning. This only occurs when I turn to the right and not the left.
Also, when I turn the wheels all the way to the left, and without moving the car, I hear a hissing sound like when releasing compress air.

[matt09524]

Try replacing the cap. You can also try removing the cap and to full turns to the right and left and see what you get. Fluid should not be backing up through the cap. You may also have some sort of back pressure building in the resevoir (box thingie). excuse my ignorance to power steering, but I dont have much in the way of troubleshooting experience with that.

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by matt09524

Try replacing the cap. You can also try removing the cap and to full turns to the right and left and see what you get. Fluid should not be backing up through the cap. You may also have some sort of back pressure building in the resevoir (box thingie). excuse my ignorance to power steering, but I dont have much in the way of troubleshooting experience with that.

Sounds like a rack & pinion problem, not the fill box thingie (reservoir).
The pump is working properly, you're getting a backlash of pressure from the steering thingie (rack & pinion) It's possible one of the two hoses (feed and return) that attach to the R&P is blocked, creating the pressure when you make a full right turn.
When back to normal position, is your fluid level at the normal point or high? If it is high, your fill box thingie is over-filled, and hard turns will create the Niagra Falls effect.

'03, is it still under warranty?

[Tlaloc]

Sorry for the late reply but I have been very busy studying for finals.
When in normal position the fluid is at a normal level, was on that day.
By being blocked, you mean that the hose is blocked from the inside, or that something might be squashing the hose shut? And what do you recommend I do?

About the warranty it ended about a month ago, and with college, car, and insurance payments I couldnt afford to buy the extended warranty.

[89Sunbird]

Maybe a blockage in the return/suction line?

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by Tlaloc

When in normal position the fluid is at a normal level, was on that day.
By being blocked, you mean that the hose is blocked from the inside, or that something might be squashing the hose shut? And what do you recommend I do?

This is a hard one to figure. If at normal level after losing fluid, perhaps it was over-filled. A pinched hose (very rare) or blockage in the lines will eventually lead to a bursting hose. If you can, get a good look at the hoses to see if any have bulges in them.
In the mean time, try to stay away from a complete lock (turn) of the wheel in either direction- hit the lock point and back off a bit.
Sorry I couldn't be much more help, good luck.