Engine oil and power steering leaking

[bighog]

It is a 89 Astro van, this guy changed the power steering wheel pump and the high pressure hose and didnt fix the problem, and the engine oil is leaking from one of the heads on the top of the motor! any suggestions?
Thanks

[hi-tech]

Engne oil leaks from head gaskets were common back then, but I dont recall it being a big issue on the 4.3's. More on the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2's. Anyway, If it IS the head gaskeet leaking, your only option for repairing is the replace the head gaskets. If you do this by all means DO BOTH at the same time. HUGE mistake to go through all that and only do one side. It will burn you. But the more likely cause is the valve cover gaskets, a MUCH easier repair.

On the PS leak, no way to tell what the deal is from you description. Power Steering Wheel Pump? Are you saying he changed the pulley? Or are you calling the pump the "power steering wheel pump". The high pressure hose has the highest failure rate of the system, but there are other causes for leaks, such as the imput shaft seal, or a pitman shaft seal. Can you describe where the leak is located? Near the pump, near the steering gear?

[bighog]

Originally Posted by hi-tech

Engne oil leaks from head gaskets were common back then, but I dont recall it being a big issue on the 4.3's. More on the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.2's. Anyway, If it IS the head gaskeet leaking, your only option for repairing is the replace the head gaskets. If you do this by all means DO BOTH at the same time. HUGE mistake to go through all that and only do one side. It will burn you. But the more likely cause is the valve cover gaskets, a MUCH easier repair.

On the PS leak, no way to tell what the deal is from you description. Power Steering Wheel Pump? Are you saying he changed the pulley? Or are you calling the pump the "power steering wheel pump". The high pressure hose has the highest failure rate of the system, but there are other causes for leaks, such as the imput shaft seal, or a pitman shaft seal. Can you describe where the leak is located? Near the pump, near the steering gear?

Ok, thanks for the explanations. About the Ps leak, it is near the steering gear, u can see a drip every other second. Sorry i cant explain a lot better but thanks for the help.

[hi-tech]

OK, the leak is near the gear box and you can see it. Is it coming from the gearbox, under, on top, side? Is the new hose dry? If you can't tell, it may useful to get a small mirror up in there from underneath and get a better look. How about a picture? Is it possible to get a picture and post it?