[gasteffens]

Hello all! This is my very first post on this forum. I am new to the forum, but not to cars in general.

I am posting regarding a vehicle I am working on for a family member. It is a 2003 Escape, 3.0L V6 4x4. 77000 miles on the clock.

They are having me do some maintenance and also try to pursue the power steering leak. While it has a leak, it functions great/smooth with no noises.

It started leaking about a month ago, and every so often they have to top off the fluid. It appears to be wet near the power steering pump and a good deal on the frame below. Tomorrow I will be putting it up on stands for the oil change and I will have a closer look.

I read a TSB that said something about a piece of return line that is common to fail, but I looked at that and it does not appear to be bad. While it is running, and having a driver turn the wheel gently back and forth does not reveal a 'gusher' of any kind. So far nothing is really presenting itself. I am considering removing the motor mount on that side of the engine to get a better view of the pump and area below... good idea or no?

Any ideas? Thanks all very much in advance!

 

[UK PONY]

Not too sure about power steering pump issues specific to the Escape even though mine blew the p/s return hose off on day one of ownership, however I would start by cleaning off the entire area so that any new leaks can be traced back to their source then turning the wheels lock to lock without the ignition on (i.e. no functional p/s) - this will exert more pressure on the system and may show up your leak that much quicker & easier.
Of course it could be something as simple as the factory clamps losing their grip (on mine it has the type that you push the ends together to release pressure - I'll be replacing those in the spring with worm drive clamps that I know can be tightened if needed).

Hope you locate & fix the problem.

 

[gasteffens]

Well the oil change went successfully. I looked around very carefully and found that the rack is completely dry. The pump does not appear to be leaking. There was some fluid residue on the belt and some on the plastic shield below the engine right below the belt area.

There is a fat hose that runs from the steering reservoir over to a line on the engine right below the motor mount. I took the motor mount brace off that runs from the engine to the mount (2 nuts and 3 bolts). Where it meets the engine at the contact surface was wet with PS fluid.

This fat hose looks to be wet at each end. Is it possible that the hose is now porous? Or maybe the clamps are not tight enough anymore?

As for fluid, it takes mercon in here, correct? Thanks!

Sorry for picture quality but I did the best with this camera to show you what I am seeing.

 

[gasteffens]

It looks like it might be the line to connect the reservoir to the pump. I took the line off and the ends are starting to split. Is it worth trying to cut the ends down a bit and re use this piece of hose, or should we hold out till Monday when the stealership is open?

 

[gasteffens]

Tried and it does not fit quite right.

I also took a gamble and popped the pulley off the pump. The seal is wet, and there is a line of fluid and fluid stain going down the pump body coming from the seal.

I think it's safe to say we need this hose, and a pump. How tough is the pump to do? Looking at it quick it does not appear obvious how it comes off.