Power Steering Fluid Leaking Consistently

[R0yalT]

Hey SAU,

I just bought my first GTR (and Nissan car for that matter) 2 months ago. During the first 2 weeks in my possession, there were no leaks.

One night when I was backing the car out, I saw a small puddle. I came back home shortly after and put a tray underneath (left side/turbo side).

Next morning I inspected the tray and found out it was red, could only be power steering fluid (Dexron ATF). I researched around and concluded the leak can either be Power steering itself or from the Attesa unit.

I searched around GTROC and SAU and someone recommended Nulon Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner, it worked for them so why can't it work for me?

It doesn't work unfortunately, it still leaks (a drop every hour or two I reckon) and now screeches on full lock (power steering doesn't like the fluid).

I have recently lifted the car and took off the front diffusers to take pictures.

Any help to solve this problem would be greatly appreciated! (From a R34 GTR, I don't think it makes a big difference but just incase people are asking).

Really wet

This is where the drips are coming from I guess.

This thing was wet, I thought this was the culprit at first. This should be ok right?

Slight oil dripping from corner of sump (I can't remember but I'm sure it was the sump), should be ok right?

Yet again, any help would be greatly appreciated. I need this fixed so it doesn't play in the back of my mind when I start building this monster.

[MrStabby]

On my BNR32 that hose started to leak, so i removed it and had Enzed make up a new rubber section and fit it to the metal tube section. Was a bitch to remove.... FWIW im using Transmax Z (synthetic) fluid without issue.

[R0yalT]

How much did it cost Mr Stabby? I can't seem to find the part number for it from nissan, I know all the part numbers around the hose but not the hose itself! Might DIY like you did

[MrStabby]

I cant remember, wasnt expensive at all. It would be cheaper than getting the part from Nissan, and you wont have to wait for it to come from Japan. On my hose I could see the blister in it, i guess you cant be as sure that hose is the problem because of that loose cover hose over the top.

[V28VX37]

Digging up an old thread, I've got a similar problem. My power steering reservoir looks like it's always been weeping a bit but now I have drops coming down on the left hand side under the engine bay. See below for a pic.

Any suggestions on how to investigate and remedy this? Is it just the connectors/lines or is my rack going too? Could it be leaking from multiple spots?

Also, can you recommend a PS specialist in Melb who knows Skylines...?

Thanks!

[Ben C34]

Clean it thouroghly. Look for source of leak.

Not rocket science. If you still can't find it, sprinkle talcum powder around. Makes it heaps more obvious.

[V28VX37]

Thanks mate, will do. Wish I had a hoist

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Replace reservoir lines, they weep and usually are the source.

I replaced mine with aftermarket gates oil hoses. 3/8" and 5/8", if money permits go OEM - I went aftermarket because I ended up fitting a power steering cooler when I did my lines (no more boiling on the track)

[V28VX37]

Thanks johnnilicte I'll look into that!

[89CAL]

I replaced mine with OEM lines while I had my engine out. Expect to pay near $100 for each

[89CAL]

Replace reservoir lines, they weep and usually are the source.

I replaced mine with aftermarket gates oil hoses. 3/8" and 5/8", if money permits go OEM - I went aftermarket because I ended up fitting a power steering cooler when I did my lines (no more boiling on the track)

Off topic here but what did you notice when the p/s fluid boiled? Im still troubleshooting a problem with mine, and because the reservoir sits so close to the 6 boost manifold im wondering if its to do with heat. I lose nearly all the assistance from the power steering tge 2nd or third time I start the car (so when its been hot and then started) im womdering if my pump isnt 100% and when it gets too hot the pump isnt working efficently

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Off topic here but what did you notice when the p/s fluid boiled? Im still troubleshooting a problem with mine, and because the reservoir sits so close to the 6 boost manifold im wondering if its to do with heat. I lose nearly all the assistance from the power steering tge 2nd or third time I start the car (so when its been hot and then started) im womdering if my pump isnt 100% and when it gets too hot the pump isnt working efficently

Oil all over the reservoir dribble down the lines and loss of fluid - only happens on the track.

I don't lose all assistance or that, just half the oil dribbles out and makes a mess in the engine bay.

Since I've installed my power steering oil cooler (used R33 AT cooler) no more, no dribble shit, no dirty reservoir and my lines looks fresh

[89CAL]

Lol fair enough. So my problem def isnt boiling fluid at least.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

could it be your HICAS and/or that switch on the rack?

I know if you pull off the HICAS ECU the steering is bat shit heavy

[89CAL]

Yeah im getting voltage to the solenoid when the problem occurs. So not sure if the PWM is right but I believe it is. I want to change the solenoid but cant source a new one because they dont make them anymore.

I never had issues before I changed the engine. And we accidentally ran the car on initial start up with no power steering oil so was suprised the pump has been so good lol

I have a spare. I think ill just change it out and check the wiring to the solenoid

[SiR_RB]

I've got a power steering leak aswell recently but it's coming from the drivers side near front drive shafts that a lot of lines and banjo bolts around where it leaks from

Gotta get under and try nip all the bolts up and see how it goes...

[iruvyouskyrine]

Yeah im getting voltage to the solenoid when the problem occurs. So not sure if the PWM is right but I believe it is. I want to change the solenoid but cant source a new one because they dont make them anymore.

I never had issues before I changed the engine. And we accidentally ran the car on initial start up with no power steering oil so was suprised the pump has been so good lol

I have a spare. I think ill just change it out and check the wiring to the solenoid

Is the Power steering really PWM? In my R32 i haven't have power steering since i did and engine swap, and i have been told that it was because i didnt give power to the solenoid inside the steering rack. I have the engine out again and i gave it 12V and i can hear it opening, so i thought it must be working fine. My plan was to just give it 12V when the car starts up but you are suggesting that its PWM?

[89CAL]

It will be fully open with 12V at it so the power steering will work fine. However (from the information ive found) the HICAS Ecu varies the PWM to the solenoid as speed increases till the assistance is no longer needed. I could be wrong but it makes sense

[iruvyouskyrine]

Okay, yes that makes a lot more sense. I didn't even think about that, seems pretty obvious now you have pointed it out haha. I was running a power steering cooler in my car also (R33 auto trans cooler) and i could never get the system fully bled properly. Does the cooler have to sit lower than the feed point from the reservoir? And it seemed to be worse when i had it mounted upside down (so the p/s fluid had to flow up into the cooler), i wouldnt have thought it would make that much of a difference being that the system would be pressurized when turning the steering wheel, which is the only time the system is operating.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Did you hook it up on the rack return line?

I don't have any issues with bleeding it as such.

However mines mounted a little unconventionally because of my front bar and bumper support