power steering

[lightningfast]

im trying to put in power steering fluid in my car and i cant find the cap under the hood can anyone help me i look all over for it and just cant find it thanks for your help

[richtazz]

what engine is in your car?

[lightningfast]

3800 v6

[richtazz]

If it's not supercharged, the power steering pump is just below the alternator, on the back of the engine, near the firewall.

[lightningfast]

thanks for your help again

[richtazz]

no problem , that's what we're here for

[lightningfast]

do u know what would make the car all a sudden shut off and not idel right some of the time

[richtazz]

do you have a check engine light on?

[lightningfast]

yep it turned on a couple of days ago

[richtazz]

before we go too far, do yourself a favor and have your car scanned, to see why your check engine light is on. Most Advanced Auto and Auto Zone stores will scan your car for free. Make sure you get the codes from them, example p0102, and then post the results.

[lightningfast]

ok will do that with in a day or two and post the results then thanks again for your help

[mike561]

i think i have a power steering fluid leak, i had to re fill it last night because it was making that LOUD straining sound whenever i turn the wheel (im sure alot of you know what that sounds like) it got so bad right before i put more fluid in i could even feel the grinding through the steering wheel when my hands were on it, so i put more fluid in and its fine now, but does this mean my pump is going or do i just have a fluid leak?

[richtazz]

sounds like just a fluid leak, but it could be coming from the pump. I would look around the pulley shaft and the lines to see if you can track down the leak. The pump got noisy when you got low on fluid, so it isn't going bad, unless it is what is leaking.

[mike561]

k ill check around there, would you or anyone else know where i would be looking for these things on the car? can anyone get me a pic or something, im just more of a visual learner. thx!

[richtazz]

teh pump is on the back, lower side of teh engine compartment, and the hoses run from it to the rack which is behind the engine between it and the firewall. Look at the shaft area behind the pulley, as that is the most common place the pumps start leaking. Also check the lines where they change from steel to rubber, as those areas are most prone to leakage.