Power Steering Fluid Burning

[SuperCoupe400]

For the past several months I kept getting what smelled like an electrical fire coming from the passenger side hood up at the windshield (from outside the car with the hood closed). I'd crack open the hood and couldn't seem to locate the source. Then yesterday after my steering pump started making noise, I checked to find that my PS fluid was low. The second I took the cap off the PS reservoir I knew that was where that smell was coming from.

So, of course, I topped the fluid off and the PS acted normal again. But I'm still getting that 'electrical fire' smell. The PS pump wasn't dry at all. The fluid level was right at the bottom of the dip stick. I've got no leaks on the floor of my garage. Could it be that the PS fluid just needs to be flushed? It did look kinda dirty (and burnt). Mine's a '93 SC4 with 125k I have found no dealer records of a PS pump replacement, and I know that these usually fry at around 75k to 100k.

I've read in some old posts that the PS pump could eventually leak onto the starter, causing starter damage. Is that what the burning smell is? The smell is stongest coming straight from a hot PS reservoir - and there is no smoke at all.

Has anybody had these symptoms before? Any advice?

Thanks.

[mehullica]

P/S pump won't leak on the starter. It will leak on the alternator and get on the exhaust manifold on the passanger side. I'd check the manifold area and the valve covers for leakage also.

[Sluggo]

I lost my alternator to a leaky PS pump. You don't want to let that go too long - the fluid can short out the alternator. Short-term you can just cover the alternator with something until you get the pump fixed.

[iLexusSC400]

Man this is an old topic but it almost matches my problem. I see NO leaks what so ever but i have this same burning smell but its also smoking (white, smells like gas) out of my exhaust pipes as well; it only does that though when i got fluid, and then later the power steering resevior is bone dry and i got no smoke but also my power steering stops working. This is a swaped pump just 2 days ago, my old one wasnt working at all and it was one of those that leaked on top of the altey as i replaced that when i first got the car. So if im not leaking then where is my fluid going?.... is that what im burning out of my pipes cause it only does that when i have fluid. Someone give me some pointers here please! Thank you!!!

[iLexusSC400]

Man this is an old topic but it almost matches my problem. I see NO leaks what so ever but i have this same burning smell but its also smoking (white, smells like gas) out of my exhaust pipes as well; it only does that though when i got fluid, and then later the power steering resevior is bone dry and i got no smoke but also my power steering stops working. This is a swaped pump just 2 days ago, my old one wasnt working at all and it was one of those that leaked on top of the altey as i replaced that when i first got the car. So if im not leaking then where is my fluid going?.... is that what im burning out of my pipes cause it only does that when i have fluid. Someone give me some pointers here please! Thank you!!!

Any help here guys? I read in another old topic on this forum (ill pull it up later and link to it) about a similar problem and it said that it is in fact power steering fluid that is burning out of the tail pipes as the "idle air control valve" is bad, can anyone confirm this to my problem above?

[eatingupblacktop]

Your acv valve is definitely suspect if you're getting smoke out your pipes. Here's a link that should explain everything you need to know and more: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...hl=foam%20strip

Lots of reading with lots of information.

[hfsys]

I've already had my PS Pump replaced three times. After the last replacement, I also had to replace the Alternator. Since reading this thread, now I see why. I just went out and checked on my '92 SC300, because it's been making noise again, smelling like something burning, and has had terrible handling like it has a low tire. The PS Pump reservoir is bone dry and the NEW Alternator has fluid all over it.

Can someone put up a DIY on how to replace this leaky Power Steering Line/Hose. I've looked all over and can't find any details, and I don't want to spend any more money with the mechanic. I figure it can't be as bad as when I replaced the Water Pump.

Thanks.

[eatingupblacktop]

I've already had my PS Pump replaced three times. After the last replacement, I also had to replace the Alternator. Since reading this thread, now I see why. I just went out and checked on my '92 SC300, because it's been making noise again, smelling like something burning, and has had terrible handling like it has a low tire. The PS Pump reservoir is bone dry and the NEW Alternator has fluid all over it.

Can someone put up a DIY on how to replace this leaky Power Steering Line/Hose. I've looked all over and can't find any details, and I don't want to spend any more money with the mechanic. I figure it can't be as bad as when I replaced the Water Pump.

Thanks.

Your mechanic should have checked for leaks after installing new pump. If you've been back to him 3 times, it's time he fixes your leak at his cost, or time to change mechanics.

Here are some links that should help:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=190693

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=176382

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=183857

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ost&id=4874

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ost&id=4875

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...ost&id=4876

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=190319

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=190349

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=190732

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...st&p=192723

[hfsys]

Hey thanks!

This will help out a lot.

:D