I have a 87 560 SEL with 156k. I noticed the power steering pump is leaking from the bottom.

Is this common and does this mean I need a new pump?
Overnight it leaks about 1-2 ounces.

Bigmon

It is leaking from the bottom, but where on the bottom? Often pumps leak after years of neglect: no fluid and filter change.

It is my experience that these pumps are generally no worse than other MBZ pumps.

If it is a bad pump, get a rebuilt one from a quality supplier. Best bang for the buck.

Haasman

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'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

If the pump is leaking most anywhere, the drip will come from the bottom. The most common source of a leaking pump would be the shaft seal. Have you been using ATF in the Power Steering system? If so, modern ATF is not healthy for the seals in your Power Steering system.

If it is indeed the seal, it will usually sling fluid all around and will show a "stripe" of fluid inside the hood.

If it is not slinging fluid, then wash the area thoroughly at the coin op car wash, then start watching closely to find the leak.

Good luck,

I'm not sure what type of fluid the previous owner used.

The strange thing is I added hyro fluid to the tank next to the power steering pump because it was low. The next morning is when I noticed fluid under the car and it looked like it was coming from the bottom of the steering pump.

I measured the amount of fluid in the steering pump last night and then again this morning. The level has dropped about 1/4 inch.

It makes sense it's the steering pump, but quite a coincidence that it happened after adding hydo fluid for the suspension.

The repair kit for the steering pump is pretty cheap.

Any thoughts?

The level from last night to this morning could very well be due to the system cooling off. There is a good bit of expansion/contraction taking place depending upon oil temperature.

Clean everything up real good and start keeping a close eye on it.

Good luck,

I haven't driven the car since Saturday so I don't think the cooling off would apply.

Gonna clean it up and watch what happens.

I also have a new seal set that’s been lying on the shelf for a while now, let us know when you have done the job, it may get me motivated to do my pump, been leaking for some time but not as badly as yours, by the sounds of things.

Good luck

Have any of you attempted the seal kit repair yet? I noticed mine is oozing a bit too. Thought I would tackle it in the next few weekends sometime.

Just have to make sure I have it all back together by monday morning.

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1988 420SEL 170K