Power Steering Leak and overheating Issue

[Fred G]

Well I posted this in another thread where a guys alternator has gon out, but as the title states I have a power steering fluid leak and my engine overheats in stop and go traffic or prolonged driving over 60MPH.

I took my car to him last week and he could see where the power steering fluid leaked onto (my like spilled onto) the alt and fried it, had to replace my alternator but my mechanic doesn't know what caused the fluid to spill, it would come out of the reservoir it's self right from up under the cap, does anyone know what could have caused that? would really be appreciated I NEED MY CAR BACK!!!! :-(

 

[1bad4.6l]

if the car had to be pushed at one time with the engine off, and the wheel was turned it would cause it to come up into the reservoir and overflow. maybe thats it. :steering :steering

 

[Fred G]

No that's not the problem, it does it while I'm driving, and when it does and u look at it, it looks like one of those drink machines where it shoots the fluid to the top and runs down the sides, hard to explain but I know it's not supposed to do it which is causeibg it to leak out under the cap, I really need to find the problem because if I just change the alt then it's just going to keep killing my alt, my mechanic said, it's gotta be either the hydrlic(is that correct?) line to the fan, or either the high or low pressure hose, he said it could even be the return line. He said the pump was still good if it wasn't it would leak and I wouldn't be able to drive...and does anyone know y my car could be overheating?

 

[joegr]

No that's not the problem, it does it while I'm driving, and when it does and u look at it, it looks like one of those drink machines where it shoots the fluid to the top and runs down the sides, hard to explain but I know it's not supposed to do it which is causeibg it to leak out under the cap, I really need to find the problem because if I just change the alt then it's just going to keep killing my alt, my mechanic said, it's gotta be either the hydrlic(is that correct?) line to the fan, or either the high or low pressure hose, he said it could even be the return line. He said the pump was still good if it wasn't it would leak and I wouldn't be able to drive...and does anyone know y my car could be overheating?

Still sounds like a leak on the suction side letting air into the pump which causes the fluid to foam and come out of the reservoir.

There are many possible causes for overheating, what have you checked? Start with the simple check. When the engine is at full operating temperature, squeeze on the radiator hoses. Are they easy to compress or very hard? If easy, you have a leak that prevents the system from pressurizing and is probably allowing air pockets to form in the cooling system.

 

[Quik LS]

I'm assuming you have a Gen1 LS V8 - right?

it's not powersteering - it's the mercon ATF that this coming out of the hydralic fan pump - which is right above the alternator.

There is a hydralic hose coming out of the top of the pump and runs to the fan. The hose coupling at the connection to the pump fails - leaks a little under no fan - but leaks a lot under heavy fan - causing you fan to not spin at the proper RPM (and overheating).

If this is it - it's no fun to replace - but it is a DIYer - I've done mine twice now.

 

[Fred G]

Well I've had the hose repaired/replaced, is that going to stop my powersteering fluid from coming up out of the resvoiur?

 

[Fred G]

Question, I've replaced the pump and hose, but where does the fluid go for the pump to the fan? And also what type of fluid do u use?

 

[Quik LS]

it's mercon/ATF and it's filled in the reservoir that's on the passenger side stock tower - right above the pump. If you actually replaced the pump - one of the hoses you disconnected lead to the reservoir sitting above it - it's only 8" long.

 

[Fred G]

ok well I didn't do it the mechanic I took it to did, so if he puts everything back together can he fill it? Or no also my power steering leak is caused by suction at the pump right?