Power Steering Fluid Leak

[OldNorske]

Originally Posted by speedlever

Hi OldNorske. Looking at the diagram below, I believe the hose clamp you are referring to is on the inlet side (B) of the pump, correct?



And iirc, there have been some reports of an o-ring that has also been replaced due to leaking. I believe that is depicted in this image.


Both of these fixes seem pretty simple to accomplish, assuming you can get to them easily.

Actually Speed, I think it was on the "A" line. It's hard for me to tell on the diagram. If you look down, on the passenger side, it is where the metal line connects to the rubber line (towards the bottom/front of the truck). You can get at it by turning the wheel.

If it wasn't 9 degrees and dark outside, I would go out and attempt to take a picture of it.

If I think of it, I will attempt a photo tomorrow.

[OldNorske]

Originally Posted by OldNorske

Actually Speed, I think it was on the "A" line. It's hard for me to tell on the diagram. If you look down, on the passenger side, it is where the metal line connects to the rubber line (towards the bottom/front of the truck). You can get at it by turning the wheel.

If it wasn't 9 degrees and dark outside, I would go out and attempt to take a picture of it.

If I think of it, I will attempt a photo tomorrow.

Here you go Speed. The line with the added clamp is directly below and back of the A/C compressor. I know it may be hard to see. I don't have the best camera.

[OldNorske]

Um...Speedlever? Are you there?

I know this is insignificant, but I went out and took the picture. I'm sure that if this power steering return line leak happened to me, it can happen to some other folks.

Soooo...why has this not been posted on the forum?

It could give the OP one more thing to look for, that might possibly explain where his power steering fluid is disappearing to.

just sayin'

[rollinhonda]

Originally Posted by OldNorske

Here you go Speed. The line with the added clamp is directly below and back of the A/C compressor. I know it may be hard to see. I don't have the best camera.

Wow, that looks like a good place for a leak to happen and not get noticed for a while.

[speedlever]

Yeah, I'm here ON. Just not sure what to make of the pic you took. I really thought you were talking about the inlet line to the pump. But apparently not.

I did some work on my RL today and wish I'd thought to look there as well.

[Ian Brantford]

My truck experienced what turned out to be a slow PS fluid leak. It was in the PS radiator fitting area. Both the PS radiator and the hose needed replacing. It was covered under my extended warranty, and would otherwise have cost about $600 to fix. Note that Canadian costs are often quite inflated compared to the US.

The mechanic says that it's not uncommon (not sure how common that is, but I have not seen it reported here on the ROC). Not knowing the root cause, I am not sure if we need to add to our knowledge base about preventing another occurrence.

[OldNorske]

Originally Posted by Ian Brantford

My truck experienced what turned out to be a slow PS fluid leak. It was in the PS radiator fitting area. Both the PS radiator and the hose needed replacing. It was covered under my extended warranty, and would otherwise have cost about $600 to fix. Note that Canadian costs are often quite inflated compared to the US.

The mechanic says that it's not uncommon (not sure how common that is, but I have not seen it reported here on the ROC). Not knowing the root cause, I am not sure if we need to add to our knowledge base about preventing another occurrence.

It's really ironic! Waaayyyy back in this thread, I told you all about a power steering fluid leak (that was "fixed" by adding extra hose clamps). This fix was applied about five years ago. Please keep in mind, the fact that, this "fix" has worked for five years!

Three weeks ago (when the temps dropped to zero), I found a puddle of P/S fluid on my driveway (it was mixed with the snow, so it was easier to clean up). When I noticed the noise from the pump and checked the reservoir, I added Honda P/S fluid and took the Ridgeline to the dealer and showed them the printouts of the original "fix". They took the "extra hose clamps" off the hose and installed another clamp (non-OEM). I drove it home (30 miles), and the next day there was another puddle! I am, in no way, putting the dealer's service department down. The original "fix" lasted five years.

Here is the final result...There was a "pinhole leak" in the hose. The dealer's service department replaced the...

Oil Cooler Hose, part # 53732SJCA02, Return Pipe, part # 53779SJCA03, Oil Hose Clip, part # 90635S5AA02, and Oil Hose Clip, part # 90635SM4A02 (I put these part numbers up for Speedlever, since I wanted him to understand what hose I was referring to).

All is well now.

p.s. By the way...$200.00, but that's the way it goes (it's not like a car payment every month!).

[dustboy]

Just got my RL back from the tire shop for some new rubber.

They did their usual "safety inspection" (i.e., billfold leak evaluation) and found a leak at the passenger side of the rack, supposedly from the boot. I haven't stuck my head underneath to see what they were talking about yet, but they also mentioned that it's "an electronic rack that has to be reprogrammed with the computer once it's replaced". Yeah, okay guys. Either way, I'm not having the work done at a tire shop.