Power Stearing leak question

[snalion]

Hello,
So I took my 2001 Intrigue in for the gears slipping problem, and well since the gears haven't slipped for more than a month now, the mechanics, didn't find anything wrong with it. So I'm not sure about that. However, I had mentioned that I was having some other problems with the noise etc, and they found the Power Steering High Pressure line to have a leak, and have quoted me about $650 for the part($400)+labor($250) on it. Now my concern is, I haven't seen any leakage in my garage at all, and not that I don't trust this mechanic, but just want to be sure, about as to does this seem like a reasonable price, and how important is it to fix it. I'm thinking it might cause the Power steering to stop working. Is that correct? I'm a novice in this field and hate to go to mechanics, since I feel dumb there, luckily I can come here and ask experienced users to enlighten me on it. So I would really appreciate it if you could help me with this. Thank you!!

[panzer dragoon]

www.rockauto.com

EDELMANN Part # 92061
{Pressure Line Assembly}
$38.99

GATES Part # 365415
{Pressure Line Assembly 16mm Male O-Ring x 18mm Male O-Ring x 61 3/4"}$51.79

the hose is $40-50

the is really no way to fix these high pressure hoses either. If it is the high pressure hose. How many times a week are you running out of power steering fluid = the high pressure hose leak will be fairly obvious.

When you run out of power steering fluid you will still be able to turn, but it will take serious effort especially at low speeds. = The system will still work. The power steering pump will also get noisy when the fluid runs low.

If it not the hose, but just a random seal the power steering pump seal expander fluid has worked for me in the past. If it's just sweating fluid thru the high speed hose, maybe you can maybe tightly electrical tape it until it gets horribly bad.

[snalion]

Thank you for your reply. The seal you mention, is that something similar to the BAR's Leak products? One colleague told me that I could use that since it had worked on his. Does thing work and/or would it harm it?
Thanks again!

[panzer dragoon]

I replaced my camshaft position sensor (10-20 minute job) today and looked at the power steering lines. The top connection is easy to get to, the bottom connection I couldn't find, but I'm assuming it's not that hard and will need to be found by going underneath the car.

Bar leaks for the radiator works sometimes, but usually once you have a hole in a high pressure system (like a radiator) the hole will get bigger. The Bar leaks stuff can gum up the water pump and passages also. Bars leaks is questionable to use. I have tried bars leaks and find I have no use for the product = It's better to just replace the radiator and/or change the coolant before it gets acidic and eats up your radiator.

The power steering seal expander stuff can work and won't gum anything up. I would give it a try if you can't find your leak. For leaky seals only, if your lines have holes I doubt it will fix that.

You need to find that leaky power steering line or seal first. If it's a real slow leak, I wouldn't worry about it until the problem gets worse. Carry a container of power steering fluid and a funnel in your car just in case.

[kmohr3]

I have a 2002 Intrigue.... The Power steering hose has been seeping near the pump as long as I've had it. So far it hasn't affected anything and the level seems to stay pretty constant. It drops very gradually. I wouldn't worry about it unless it starts using power steering fluid regularly, or you see it leaving puddles on the ground. I would think it might be somewhat of a challenge to get at the fitting on the steering rack in order to change it. $650 sounds a bit pricey, though.

[jettblaster]

Agreed with the rest of the posts. I have had a "seepage" on the line that attached to the resivoir for a long time. Oddly I have never had to add fluid. I think the stealership has been topping it off. I have had it for 2 years and 60,000 miles and it has not gotten worse. Leave it alone unless you are going through a lot of fluid.

[freewill434]

Hello all.
I had a shop tell me today that my power steering fluid is low but they could not see any leaks. They thought that the fluid was leaking into the CV boot.
Is that possible? And, would that seal expander fluid be the right choice for this type of fluid leak?
Thanks in advance!!!

[freewill434]

Hello again!
Sorry, forgot to post that I have a 98 base model with the 3.8 and 82000 miles. It was in the shop for front brakes.
Thanks again!!!

[panzer dragoon]

the seal expander is typically used in older power steering units. Those leaks at the connections could be easily fixed with some seal tape like PTFE.

My power steering on my Intrigue has never leaked. I used the seal expander on my 1978 Dodge 4x4 pick-up with a Saginaw 500 series Power Steering unit. It was a very large older style type of unit. The truck was over 20yrs old before I tried the seal expander.

[kmohr3]

No, freewill434, it is not possible for a CV boot to fill up with power steering fluid. Although, it is possible for the steering rack to leak and fill the rack boot(s) with fluid. That shouldn't be too hard for a mechanic to check. How low was it actually?