I've had this power steering leak for awhile now, when I first got the car it didn't leak anything but slowly started to more and more. Now it's leaking like crazy. I couldn't afford that Lucas P/S fluid when it was running low one day, so I bought the 2.99 p/s fluid instead my mistake...

It started leaking even more!! With the reservior full of that 2.99 crap it would bubble and foam and the power steering would moan and whine, seriously, if the car could talk it would have been cursing up a storm... lol It got to the point where I would shut off the car and I would hear "pssssssssssss" from under the hood, and what was happening was that the p/s fluid was shooting out from the pressure.

I drained that fluid asap and bought the $10.00 bottle of Lucas stop leak for p/s and it loves that stuff. It doesn't whine anymore and no hard spots. But i'm still leaking it out hardcore. I was told my gearbox had bad seals so is than an easy job? The p/s works great...when it has lucas stop leak in it. I just can't afford the $10.00 bottle every week what to do?

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2007 BMW 328XI

First off you dont use power steering fluid. You use ATF. Secondly try tightening all of the bolts on the box where it is leaking. It's a 4 hour job to replace the box tops.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Ooooooooo wow, I feel really retarded lol I'll drain it and put some ATF, any kind will do?

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2007 BMW 328XI

Why ATF? I just put the cheapest power steering fluid I get from 99cents store, i.e. 99cents per bottle. It works fine. What is wrong with that?

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

This may be a really stupid question but would using traditional power steering fluid cause it to leak worse?

I tired, but with $2.99 p/s fluid and it rejected it hard core. Bubbled and fizzed and shot it out, it started moaning and whining and I got hard spots in the steering.

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2007 BMW 328XI

I suspect it is a problem with your power steering pump, it may be sucking air. Not the fluid itself. I cannot imagine any p/s fluid ( cheap or expensive ) would make it bubbled or fizzed.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

It was sucking in air, but it would only fizz, bubble,whine, moan and shoot out with the cheap stuff. Once I put that lucas in, no problems what so ever, except the leak. I drained it though and put ATF and as far as I can see it hasn't been leaking and it's been working great....

Hopefully it stays that way.

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2007 BMW 328XI

Power steering fluid v. ATF isn't your problem. Modern ATF isn't the same as ATF available 20 years ago and may leak more than cheap old fashion power steering fluid. My steering box leaks occassionally, way less than a quart every couple months. I found that power steering fluid doesn't leak as much, but don't know why. But your problem seems to be much more severe. And anything with a "stop-leak" claim will only temporarily help stop or slow leaks. You need to get it resealed, new hoses, etc. if you want it done right.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Yeah the lucas did a great job of sealing the leak for a little bit, but ATF is working really well. The seals need to be replaced, but I can't afford to have it done right now, so it's going to have to wait. The power steering fluid and my car were just not getting along lol.

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2007 BMW 328XI

Wait... I thought using ATF was supposed to make these things leak WORSE, so use real PS fluid?

Here's one thread but I've read lots: Power Steering Oil, what type?

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Ever think of getting a re-build kit ? Cost $5. Or, hit the pick and pull yard and re-build both.

---------------------
1984 MB 300SD Turbo

I'd love to get one, just waiting on some money flow to come in... How is the labor? Difficult?

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2007 BMW 328XI

I just come across these threads. Can someone enlighten me as to why we need to spend $$ on name brand p/s fluid? Basically p/s fluid is all hydraulic oil or ATF.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070928191835AA6A7lG

http://www.hondaclub.com/forum/articles/1492-power-steering-fluid-lifeline-your-steering-system.html

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I use off the shelf (c-h-e-a-p) P/S fluid in both my 123s with no problems at all.

Antifreeze is another matter...

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT