’97 Outback Power Steering Pump Leak…

[Trig]

’97 Outback Power Steering Pump Leak….

I’ve searched the forum about power steering but didn’t see anything about leaks. That’s good.
However, my ’97 is leaking and forming a small puddle on the engine below the PS reservoir. Is there a common failure mode? Could it be the reservoir? This has a round metal one that is on top of the pump. I see that pumps don’t come with it. How does the reservoir attached and seal to the pump? I’m thinking that may be a good place to start since the pump seems to work fine other than leaking. Anybody…….

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[porcupine73]

Yes there is an o-ring between the reservoir and the pump. It's item #55 in the diagram below:

[Trig]

porcupine73, Thank You! Awesome!

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[desertrat]

I had similar problems with my previous PS Pump that I recently switched out. However the fluid accumulation did not seem to be leaking from the reservoir but rather seeping past the gasket in some location. The rate of fluid loss was very small and easily topped up with an occasional peek under the cap. What finally prompted me to change the pump was an annoying squeal on startup. Also, if you allow the puddle to accumulate too much then eventually it can start to drip towards the rear of the engine and find its way onto the exhaust piping - which makes for a right old stink. And usually this would happen after climbing steep hills which provided just enough gradient to slop the puddle over.
So although the reservoir/pump O-ring is the most likely culprit, don't overlook the possibility that its just gasket seepage.

[Trig]

desertrat,

Thanks for the advice. I'll check the pump seal also.

Take Care,

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[dougbert]

My power steering pump has a slow leak that seems to be coming from the joint between the reservoir and the pump itself. Has anybody ever gotten a replacement for that O-ring? It seems to be about 11mm ID and 2mm thick.

I'd feel pretty stupid spending two hours of my time during the week, or$12 shipping, just to get a 50-cent O-ring...


Thanks,

Doug

[porcupine73]

Hi! Here's a more detailed diagram of the power steering fluid pump. I hear seal #12 is common to leak but haven't experienced it myself.

[Trig]

Gasket #12 is the one that leaked on mine. Everybody had the o-ring #55 on first diagram but not the gasket. I ended up getting a rebuilt pump. Which did not have the o-ring. Local NAPA parts had an o-ring after I showed them the old one to match to.

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[dougbert]

Originally posted by Trig
Gasket #12 is the one that leaked on mine. Everybody had the o-ring #55 on first diagram but not the gasket. I ended up getting a rebuilt pump. Which did not have the o-ring. Local NAPA parts had an o-ring after I showed them the old one to match to.

Trig

Thanks for the tip. I'll check with a local NAPA store for the O-ring.

Doug

[lomita]

You can get an entire kit for less than $20.

http://www.pskits.com/