Power Steering Pump Leak - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BWatson · #1 02-28-2002, 02:01 AM

My power steering pump seems to have developed a leak around the center bearing. I is minimal but it flings fluid up into the sound proofing under the hood. I know that I will eventually have to rebuild or replace the pump but in the meantime, can I use one of those additives with sealer and conditioner? It only loses about 1/2 pint every couple of weeks. Any recommendations? Is it easy to rebuild the pump or is it better to just replace?

mbdoc · #2 02-28-2002, 08:17 AM

Resealing the pump is the best option. Reseal kits are low-buck & not hard to do except for pulling the pulley off.

BWatson · #3 02-28-2002, 01:51 PM

Since it will be a couple of weeks at least before I can get to fixing it, is it OK to use power steering sealer and conditioner? It worked like a charm on my 70 Caddy I had before but I want to make sure I don't ruin anything since MBs are a different animal.

BWatson · #4 03-06-2002, 07:33 PM

In case anyone cares, I went ahead and used Valvoline Synpower sealer and conditioner for my leaky power steering bushing. The results are in!!! In my opinion, a GREAT product! It seems to have cured the leak and mixed just fine with the fluid already in there. I do realize that at some point, I will have to reseal the bushings but for now, this works fine. It's good power steering fluid even if you don't have a leak.

Capt Kirk · #5 03-06-2002, 08:00 PM

I thought that the Power Steering on the 300D's uses ATF. Is that Valvoline stuff ATF or Power Steering Fluid?

#6 03-06-2002, 08:45 PM

I would be leary of all these sealer products, the sealer is not only puming thru your pump but also your steering box, it could mess things up permanantly.

I would just get the cheap reseal kit, that way at worst all you do is ruin a pump, at worst with this stuff, you ruin a pump and power steering box ($$$$).

#7 03-06-2002, 08:48 PM

Power steering fluid IS ATF. Just more expensive for the people who don't know the difference.

Kinda like "Bottled water, $0.99" and "Bottled human liquid thirst quenching replenishing fluid, $7.49"

Capt Kirk · #8 03-06-2002, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by turbodiesel
Power steering fluid IS ATF. Just more expensive for the people who don't know the difference.

Kinda like "Bottled water, $0.99" and "Bottled human liquid thirst quenching replenishing fluid, $7.49"

LOL, I thought there was a slight difference, but I looked up what it's SUPPOSE to use, it said ATF.

BWatson · #9 03-07-2002, 01:44 PM

Well, the "Bottled Human Liquid Thirst Quenching and Replenishing Fluid" I put in my power steering pump is not any more expensive then ATF. In every car I have ever owned, the owners manual says ATF. The power steering ALWAYS leaks. Mind you they are always older cars but I get good results with the Valvoline stuff. When I started this thread I was checking to see if anyone knew for sure so that I wouldn't wreck anything. Nobody knows for sure, only speculation. My speculation is that the Valvoline Synpower steering fluid rocks.
Turbodiesel, I liked your euphemism though, definitely LOL. If my pump blows a gasket, I will shatter it with my "Hand Held Impact Transfer Actuator!":p

Capt Kirk · #10 03-11-2002, 08:54 PM

there shouldn't be a problem with Mobil1 ATF.

As far as the max fill mark goes. In the manual I believe it says fill to the washer.

#11 03-11-2002, 09:34 PM

So then on my 1990 300D I shouldn't have a problem if I put Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in my power steering reservoir??

Also, how do I know how high to fill the reservoir?? It does not appear to have a Min/Max level.

Lastly, I did see a thread about draining the power steering reservoir and someone mentioned removing the low-pressure return hose--how do I know which is which??!! I may need to replace one of them anyway as it leaks a bit--what type of hose is this??

Thanks in advance!! Mike

P.S. I have searched the archives on this and been unable to narrow down enough!

#12 03-12-2002, 07:29 PM

So then on my 1990 300D I shouldn't have a problem if I put Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in my power steering reservoir??

Also, how do I know how high to fill the reservoir?? It does not appear to have a Min/Max level.

Lastly, I did see a thread about draining the power steering reservoir and someone mentioned removing the low-pressure return hose--how do I know which is which??!! I may need to replace one of them anyway as it leaks a bit--what type of hose is this??

Thanks in advance!! Mike

P.S. I have searched the archives on this and been unable to narrow down enough!

lrg · #13 03-12-2002, 07:49 PM

scarbrm,

The low pressure hose is the one with the hose clamps that you can remove. The high pressure lines have the ends permanently crimped on.

As to the sealer additives, they generally work by softening up the rubber in a slightly hardened seal so it can do its job again. It shouldn't harm any of the other major parts but can over time cause other rubber (hoses, etc.) to soften slightly but generally not enough to make any real difference. I too have had decent luck with sealers except on my English cars where the leaks were designed in!

BWatson · #14 03-13-2002, 03:23 PM

It has been over two weeks since I added the Valvoline Syntec PS fluid and still no leaks. The leak was pretty small to begin with though. Only lost about a teacup of fluid in two weeks so that is a factor to consider.

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