I cant seem 2 find where P/s fluid is leaking from my 99 taurus.?

Question

the pump is old and whining and needs 2 be replaced. Ive been riding with a loud pump for about a month now and it just started leaking. i look under the car and see nothing dripping but i can smell the P/S fluid burning off something when i drive the car. Where would it burn from?

Answer 1

P/S pressure hose is leaking,it is the hose that goes from the pump to the rack and pinion,the leak drips P/S fluid onto the engine pipe.Some even caught fire.

Answer 2

The oil is prob. leaking onto one of the exhaust pipes.  If the pump is near the top front (like on my 91 Sable), then the oil could be leaking in any of the lines.  The lines snake from the passenger side to the driver side, then goes over the transmission to the rack & pinion.  If there is any exhaust pipe at all in any area, it's possible that's where the oil is leaking from.

The pump and resivor seal could be leaking also.  The body is plastic and the pump is metal.  Over time, the heat, vibration tend to weaken the seal there and oil leaks.

It's also possible that your rack & pinion under the car leaks onto the exahust pipe.

If you want to try a 'fix', go to Walmart (Checker Auto, Shucks, etc. and some sealant.  Try the power steering stuff from Lucas.  They also make tranny and engine additive.  It's worth a try...

Answer 3

Is it only whining when the fluid is low? Also, if the fluid is low, bubbles get churned up and you hear whining, so then you top off the fluid, but guess what...after those bubbles pop you are low on fluid again. Fill the fluid up, start the car and have an assistant turn the wheels while you look for a leak with a flashlight. High pressure hoses like to leak where the rubber hose is crimped to the metal hose. Look on the exhaust pipe too for signs of the fluid burning. That sealant stuff works sometimes for a rack, but it won't do anything for a constantly vibrating hose leak.