My 2005 Buick Century has a recurring PS fluid leak. I have to frequently replenish the reservoir.
During the last 200,000 miles, I had the power steering pump replaced twice and the return line also replaced twice, but on 4 different trips to the mechanic. I recently took my car to someone who’s not my regular mechanic to find the leak. He said he couldn’t pinpoint the leak because the underside of the engine compartment is soaked with oil and grease (the oil pan, transmission pan, and support beams and other areas) although I documented the PS history for his review. He recommended I take the car the next morning to a car wash that does engine cleaning and then drive it immediately to his shop so he can find the leak. Did anyone in the community have a similar experience? Can another mechanic find the leak without the engine being cleaned first? See attached images.
A dye can be add to the power steering fluid and then a uv light is used to locate any leaks.
Tester
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At least he didn’t try to sell you something if he’s not sure exactly what’s leaking
Maybe it’s the rack or the pressure hose/line?
Make sure they are looking at each end of the high pressure hose, and the pump shaft seal.
hmmm … I’m just a knucklehead diy’er w/no Buick experience, but if I had that problem I’d just do what the mechanics suggest, have the bottom of the engine cleaned. Or if that’s too much of a hassle, I’d clean it myself. Your mechanic’s suggestion seems very reasonable next step to me. Note, It may still be possible to have ps leaks at other locations which won’t show up even by cleaning the underside of the engine.