Power Steering Resevoir

[silver gts-t]

just wondering whether power steering resevoirs need to breath to avoid vaccum??

i've installed a custom one and the previous owner (which i have no reason to doubt) is telling me it wasnt needed, yet i think its caused a leak with my power steering pump.

the standard ones obviously breath as many people know due to their leaking and the one i have has a screw on lid. any ideas? i've got no issue about drilling a 1mm in the lid which is what im thinking about doing.

[silver gts-t]

anyone?

[SKY031]

the system operates under pressure and has a relief valve to stop excess pressure build up.

Drilling a hole in it would probably be similar to drilling a hole in your fuel tank.

[silver gts-t]

where is the relief valve?

and i dont see how drilling a hole in the cap of the resevoir is like doing so for your fuel tank as the original resevoir is not sealed

[SKY031]

Not sealed?

Which engine is this on?

If the PS pump has crapped out, putting a hole in the lid won't fix the problem.

I think you'll find the reason that so many people experience issues with leaking, is because most people are still running the original hoses, which have understandably perished over time.

However, I'm always happy for people to prove me wrong, it's all in the interest of learning

[silver gts-t]

haha im not hoping to fix the problem by putting a hole in the lid.

ill try explain myself better... the standard resevoir leaks while doing some track work and hard cornering so i pressume that the lid is not air tight, now after installing a custom resevoir which has a screw on lid which is air tight the power steering pump pulley seal is stuffed, since i have reconditioned the pump and going to install it. now what i think is that due to the lid on the resevoir being sealed is caused the pump problem and to avoid it im thinking about drilling a hole in the lid.

its an rb20

Edited March 13, 2007 by silver gts-t

[SKY031]

I know bugger all about the RB20, (can't be too different from the other RB's) but from watching everyone elses issues, I'd say that the leak was caused simply by age.

If the original lid had a dodgy seal, it wouldn't have been creating the type of pressure that it should have been, and as soon as it was under the proper amount of pressure it's just gone "BLEH"

(If that makes sense)

I'll stop with the guesswork now, and leave it to someone who knows their stuff

[Craved]

The power steering system should be only pressurised between the pump and the solenoid on the steering rack.

If the entire system was pressurised then you wouldnt be able to open the lid to top it up without it releasing the pressure and spraying fluid everywhere, in addition to this a perished hose would split and the offending leak would be a spray instead of a simple weeping of a small amount of fluid.

i cant say 100% that the use of a vent in the resevoir is what is required here only that the assumption of the system being completely pressurised does not seem correct.

[silver gts-t]

what he said......

its had to narrow the expact problem but considering its the only difference in the whole setup.

[gtrchick]

Is it only when you are on the track and doing fast cornering etc? becuase i have heard, and im not 100 % on this, that people put a sock over their reservoir to avoid leaks, aslong as the leaks arent coming out of any of the lines or rack, or pump, then it isnt anyhting major

[NFAA32]

yeh. i was under the impression that it leaks, due to high temps you get when drifting/track work..

i would be under the impression that it would expand when heated, and has no wear else to go..

[silver gts-t]

haha im not hoping to fix the problem by putting a hole in the lid.

ill try explain myself better... the standard resevoir leaks while doing some track work and hard cornering so i pressume that the lid is not air tight, now after installing a custom resevoir which has a screw on lid which is air tight the power steering pump pulley seal is stuffed, since i have reconditioned the pump and going to install it. now what i think is that due to the lid on the resevoir being sealed is caused the pump problem and to avoid it im thinking about drilling a hole in the lid.

its an rb20

did you guys read this?

it clearly states that the issue that im trying to rectify is if the custom resevoir has caused my PS pump to leak.

i know the standard resevoir leaks and its for this reason it has been changed.

[Kinks]

it probably leaks because you're boiling the fluid. I know my R31 certainly leaked during a drift day, power steer would have been working pretty hard I'm sure

[Craved]

Anyone know if the return line to the bottle will have enough pressure to go to through a trans cooler infront of the rad then up to the resevoir?

i think it does as i once started the car with the resevoir off and sprayed everything with trans fluid LOL

just trying to confirm

[gtrchick]

did you guys read this?

it clearly states that the issue that im trying to rectify is if the custom resevoir has caused my PS pump to leak.

i know the standard resevoir leaks and its for this reason it has been changed.

Obviously, IF FLUID DOES NOT HAVE A RELIEF IE A WAY OUT TO RELEIVE THE PRESSURE WHICH IS USUALLY VIA THE LID ( WHICH ACTS AS A BREATHER) DURING AN INTENSE TRACK SESSION THEN OBVIOUSLY SEALS WILL BE THE FIRST THING TO GO....as they are the weakest link

I think common sense would indicate if the power steer system never leaked before except for the lid during a track day, then suddenly you changed a variable that it would be the cause. Or the first component you would look at.

I personally wouldnt drill a hole in the reservoir as tiny bits of crap/dirt might make its way into your fluid. Could possibly try and find some sort of breather kit maybe....

Also would appreciate it if you can remove the patronising tone.

[gtrchick]

Anyone know if the return line to the bottle will have enough pressure to go to through a trans cooler infront of the rad then up to the resevoir?

i think it does as i once started the car with the resevoir off and sprayed everything with trans fluid LOL

just trying to confirm

I think it would, you would just have to increase the amount of fluid in the system.

[silver gts-t]

Obviously, IF FLUID DOES NOT HAVE A RELIEF IE A WAY OUT TO RELEIVE THE PRESSURE WHICH IS USUALLY VIA THE LID ( WHICH ACTS AS A BREATHER) DURING AN INTENSE TRACK SESSION THEN OBVIOUSLY SEALS WILL BE THE FIRST THING TO GO....as they are the weakest link

I think common sense would indicate if the power steer system never leaked before except for the lid during a track day, then suddenly you changed a variable that it would be the cause. Or the first component you would look at.

I personally wouldnt drill a hole in the reservoir as tiny bits of crap/dirt might make its way into your fluid. Could possibly try and find some sort of breather kit maybe....

Also would appreciate it if you can remove the patronising tone.

there was no tone at all, it was a typed question.

i know that it was the most probable cause as i previously said here "i pressume that the lid is not air tight, now after installing a custom resevoir which has a screw on lid which is air tight caused the power steering pump pulley seal is stuffed"

i was just asking for opinion as there maybe something else to the whole system that i may have missed.

also would appreciate it if you didnt pressume my tone

[driftmeister]

Hi Guys, need advice on this problem.

I recently fixed a leak power steering hose on the top of the pump couple of weeks ago. The warning sound appeared everytime when started cold. Quite a comprehensive job as the steering rack had to be remove. Anyway after replacing with a 2nd hand part (still in good condition) but handling still suffer as it was harder turning left than on the right. After 3 weeks and still figuring out whether the alignment shop did a proper job, i found the the cap opened (half tilted) with no fluid down to the white filter in the reservoir. But there was fluid around the reservoir and the hose behind the power steering pump (a clamp is used to tighten it).

1) Is there air bubble or pressure pushing the lit up?

2) The clamp may not be tighten properly that air has got into the system?

3) The power steering pump needs to be changed?

Appreciate everyone's feedback.