Power steering fluid leak at steering rack

[nottheactress]

According to my mechanic, my Tercel is leaking power steering fluid and I need to start keeping an eye on how fast it is leaking. But I'm not sure whereabouts under the hood the gauge is--could someone please tell me? Or even better, show me?

Also, has anyone ever dealt with this kind of leak? Is is an expensive/ difficult fix? The mechanic implied that it might be, so if it's only a slow leak I think I might just leave it and start carrying a bottle of extra fluid in the car.

Cheers.

[ARCHINSTL]

Welcome to the Club!
If it's leaking at the pump - the pump is on the passenger side, at the bottom front of the motor. It is driven by a belt from the crank. It is topped by the reservoir, which has a cap and integral dipstick. Wipe the area clean before removing the cap. There are two fluid level marks on the stick: One for COLD fluid and one for HOT fluid.
Follow the lines from the pump (next to the lower part of the radiator) to the steering rack fittings, which are below the alternator on the driver's side (or AC compressor, if so equipped).

Goldie's pump has been "moist" for at least the three years of my ownership - I just check it regularly, and add literally much less than a teaspoon per quarter (if you are concerned about spots, fashion a "muff" from a terrycloth towel-but watch out for the belt!). I don't intend on replacing it until it croaks. Rebuilt complete units are bigga bucks - the seal kit is about USD25 +/- from various sources.
Kind of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it...."

Do a Search here for power steering - lots of info - Typrus even did a how-to on bleeding it a while back.
If you go for a salvage yard pump - the Tercel sedans of the vintage used the same pump, and at least the early '80s Corolla as well.

NOTE that Toy recommends ATF DEXRON or DEXRON II - not just "PS fluid." There are products available with "stop leak" additives, but I have no experience with them - perhaps others have inputs on this?

Also - download the FSM available on our site.
Tom M.

[Petros]

Your mechanic should be able to show you what to check. It is a simple matter to check and top off the PS fluid (with autotrans fluid), But NEVER LET IT GO DRY!!! If it runs dry it will permanently ruin the pump very fast.

If the leak is not too bad, than yes it is much cheaper and easier just to add fluid every once in a while. You should check it at least every other tank (and the motor oil too), if it uses fluid faster than that you should check it every time yo get gas (every 300 miles or so). If it leaks faster than that you should consider getting the leak fix or you could have to replace the whole system.

It depends where the leak is coming from that would determine cost/difficulty to correct. A seal or leaky hose can be easy and fairly inexpensive to fix. If the power rack is leaking out the seals because the "hard parts" are worn out, than it would be a costly fix. If one of the seals is in a difficult to reach place it would also cost a lot of fix. Most of the comonets are fairly easy to locate and fix.

AS far as the power steering stop-leak additives, they may work if the problem is an old and hardened seal. They will soften a brittle seal and cause it swell a bit. If the problem is a leaking hose, or because of worn hard parts the stop leak will only damage the hoses and seals and is not worth doing. Even if it works it is only a temp fix at best, then all of the seals have to be replaced in the system. I would not use it unless you know where it is leaking, or you just want to sell the car with a temp fix.

Good luck.

[nottheactress]

Thanks for the directions; I'll check it out in the morning. I'm glad to hear I won't have to check it too often--I was thinking that I'd have to look at the level daily.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that it's a slow, slow leak...