Any mechanics mind helping out? Driving home lost all power steering and the engine had a whine under load. Got home and the area in the picture around the battery around the battery was coated in red liquid. Underneath behind the driver side tire was soaked as well. I would think power steering pump but around the cap and in that area seems to be dry. Anyone got any input? It's a 2004 5.3 Chevy, it almost seems like the liquid came from below behind the tire and blew upwards, the inside of the hood on that side was soaked,much appreciated thank you.
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Red fluid sounds like power steering fluid (automatic transmission fluid) so that checks out.
Check the actual pump, not just the reservoir, and the lines from the pump to the rack.
Question, would anything in the picture behind the tire be tied to the pump? From what I've seen the pump is under a cover towards the center of the engine
Since it seems to be close to the tire it's likely a line blew off the rack, or near the rack. Still couldn't hurt to check all the lines.
The pump is mounted to the engine and usually driven by one of the belts on the front.
The pump running low on fluid would cause the whine you think? I only drove it about a mile after hearing the whine
Yeah, most fluid pumps don't like to run dry and that'd probably cause the whining.
There’s lots of hoses and the steering rack. High pressure hose blowing could send the fluid all over. Might not be at the pump. Follow the hoses between the pump-reservoir-rack & pinion
It seems like something there blew and was shooting liquid from below, from the spray pattern on the inside of the hood, it's all segregated to that one small
yup, ATF has a very distinctive smell but the whine and red fluid is enough to close the case imo.
Much more likely that one of your PS lines broke, rusted through, or came loose. If you have a transmission cooler attached to your radiator it may also ATF from your actual transmission. Find a diagram of the Power steering and automatic transmission lines from your truck, and check all of the connections and unions. If you don't find anything check all of the actual lines to make sure they're not broken.
If it were a transmission cooler line, would that affect power steering at all? I have zero in park
Prob power steering. It definitely whines when the pump is trying to push air. Check the reservoir, easy way to tell if the PS fluid blew out.
This
is where the power steering lines go to. Check around there and see what blew.
Nope, nevermind...I was just thinking of everything that atf could be used for. It's definitely a power steering line. It shouldn't take too long for you to check them all.
Trans cooler is a good call as well, especially on a pickup.
Hopefully it’s a PS hose and a relatively cheap fix for OP.
Also OP, what color is the fluid in the power steering fluid reservoir? Is it red? Is the reservoir empty? If it’s not red and it’s full, trans line.
Is it safe to open a ps tank when the engine is hot
Yup, there's not enough (any?) pressure in the tank. You'll have a hot and a cold level line...I'm guessing you're going to be dry or very close.
Also---This is about as close as I could get to a diagram with a quick google. You may want to have something to look at to make sure you don't miss any fittings, but a flashlight is probably all you need.
That's the 4.8 mines the 5.3
Same base block, diagram should still apply.
Is the battery near #2 in that pic? Check around there and then underneath from 4 to 5. It’s really only a couple lines.
Yeah the battery is directly above the soaked area behind the tire. That whole little section was DRENCHED. It was coming out of the gap between the hood and the panel on the side, only place
It's not connected to the engine's temperature, the engine's off so the pump isn't running, and since it sounds like a power steering line blew there's not gonna be any pressure left in the system anyway.
You good, no pressure in the reservoir, although you can normally see the level from the outside, especially with red fluid.
Checked the PS tank, almost empty but the fluid at bottom was red
>Case Closed
Now find why it leaked and fix it....most of the culprits are easy/cheap fixes that you can do yourself.
Where should I start behind the tire where it got soaked? Is it usually the entire hose that goes or what? Also, how do I check it? Put fluid in and have someone turn the wheel and look for leaks? Also, is it like bleeding brakes and a pain in the ass?
It should be easier than bleeding brakes. Fill the reservoir, turn the wheel lock to lock, add more, keep turning the wheel until the reservoir stops emptying.
There’s not that many lines, just follow them to and from the pump-reservoir-rack- and cooler if you have it until you see one that popped off or blew out. Or you could add more fluid and have somebody steer while you look for the leak, but it’s a waste of fluid if it’s a big leak with the hose blown.
Start at the pump - There's a low pressure return line and a high pressure line. If they're both good find where they attach on the rack and check those fittings. If all of those are nice and tight follow each individual line to see where it's broken. If all else fails, put some ATF in the tank, have someone start the truck and figure out where it's gushing from. As for the diagram I posted - it'll be identical/extremely similar.
Now you get to find the leaky line. At least anon found the graphic for you. With it blown on your battery, it’s gotta be one of the high pressure lines I would guess.
Is 60 for a tow to a Chevy mechanic moonlighting and 60 bucks an hour plus parts a fair deal? I imagine he'll be able to locate it quickly with a lift and the info I give him instead of me laying in 100 degree heat on gravel lol
Thanks everyone for the help