# PS Fluid leaks on left turn intermittenetly! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** integra, acura\ **Created:** [August 12, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816 "2018-08-12T20:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/1 "2018-08-12T20:11:20Z")
1987 Acura Integra w/176k There is a PS Fluid leak - it doesn’t leak all the time - then it pours oil on the ground as if you are pouring from a bottle - not a lot but … There was a lot of leak when jacked it up in engine compartment where the PS reservoir is located - could not see any when you look under the hood. Last time it leaked quite a bit when I when over a ramp and did a **90 degree right turn to park** - since then I could not see it on the floor but steering became harder today and figured reservoir was low. 10-15yrs ago PS hoses were all changed with dealer part. Wondering where might be the issue? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/2 "2018-08-12T20:20:11Z")
The rack and pinion might be leaking. ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/5/548067f7860eba1b3df8ce20f39965b91e0c38a8.jpeg) The seal at the end of the rack and pinion can leak fluid into the rubber boot. Then when the steering wheel is turned and the rubber boot compresses, the power steering fluid is forced out of the rubber boot. That’s because a fluid can’t be compressed. Tester ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/3 "2018-08-12T20:28:16Z")
**@Tester - You are absolutely correct** I did see a torn boots on the driver side. So Rack and Pinion needs changing? What kind of money am I looking at? Wondering my repair strategy on this car! I didn’t know that the PS fluid can leak through the rack-pinion! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/4 "2018-08-12T20:38:05Z")
Before I would replace the R&P on a 30 year-old vehicle, I would give this a try. > **[Power Steering Stop Leak](https://lucasoil.com/products/problem-solvers-utility/lucas-power-steering-stop-leak)** > > It is 100% GUARANTEED to stop seal leaks in power steering units or your money back. Totally corrects rack and pinion problems. It is also totally eff... Just follow the instructions. Tester ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/5 "2018-08-12T20:42:43Z")
**@Tester - appreciate it** I am unclear how torn boots on RP can cause PS to leak - then I am unclear how this additive can fix it either! ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/6 "2018-08-12T20:46:25Z")
The seal at the end of the R&P assembly that the boot protects is what’s leaking. Tester ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/7 "2018-08-12T20:53:23Z")
Yes. The leaking seal is letting fluid into the area covered by the boot. The bellows is there to protect the ends of the rack and allow for L and R movement, but is not designed to seal the pressure inside the rack. If the leak sealing fluid doesn’t take care of the problem, then a repaired or rebuilt or new R&P is called for. Or a messy floor and the need to refill the reservoir often will continue. Note: Honda and Acura PS fluid is different from the usual and should be used always. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/8 "2018-08-12T20:57:59Z")
So if I were to properly repair, is the R&P need to be changed - or ? Found the R&P for $110 ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/9 "2018-08-12T20:59:31Z")
If that’s where the fluid is leaking from, then yes! Tester ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/10 "2018-08-12T21:01:30Z")
Yes. A non-leaking R&P needs to be installed unless you want to try to get yours fixed. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/11 "2018-08-12T21:11:00Z")
OK thanks - there is a repair option! ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/12 "2018-08-12T21:12:14Z")
Well, yes, if there’s a good local alignment/suspension shop willing to take on the job. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/13 "2018-08-12T21:13:20Z")
You guys rock:) ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/14 "2018-08-12T21:32:52Z")
This Lucas stuff - should I be putting it in the same place as PS Fluid? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/15 "2018-08-12T21:34:24Z")
Yes. Tester ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/16 "2018-08-12T21:37:10Z")
@Tester - thank you I regretted for not trying something like this for my radiator - a costly repair - also changed all the associated hoses and the sensor. The car is between road and gravyyard - why not give it a try? On the other hand, it is a compact, no fuss car and versatile with 5 doors. I am in fact torn on the fate of this car. Too many new parts … rad, rotors, CAT, starter motor, tires, recent suspension … ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/17 "2018-08-12T21:38:22Z")
Read the instructions. Probably use a baster or pump, maybe with a slim hose attached, to remove enough fluid first. Is the stuff compatible with Honda/Acura? It’s a long shot. A good working R&P is the better choice unless you intend to unload the car onto some innocent in the next few months. Actually, it’s the better choice even if you intend to unload the car. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/18 "2018-08-12T21:55:28Z")
So if the boot is repaired soon after it was torn, I might have saved the seal at the end of the R&P? ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/19 "2018-08-12T22:00:37Z")
No! The leaking seal that can’t hold pressure is the problem. A leaking boot is not. ---
**Author:** ![sciconf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@sciconf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sciconf)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816/20 "2018-08-12T22:04:05Z")
O’Reilly has a kit to repair the seal for about $50. $110 for reman R&P (he confessed remanf R&P can be problematic) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ps-fluid-leaks-on-left-turn-intermittenetly/122816.md?page=2)