Power Steering Leak!

[killerFatty]

I'm not sure what you mean by "external" and "internal" leaks, but you can bypass the speed-sensitive steering by removing the flow control valve, installing a bolt where it used to be, removing the small hoses connected to the intake manifold, and installing vacuum caps where they were connected.

If I just put a vaccum cap on the line going to the front of the intake manifold will that stop the smoke then? I'm not sure exactly what you mean by putting a bolt where the control valve is. A pic would be great if somenone has one of how to remove the valve and bolt it closed. Sorry if I seem stupid I'm just trying to make sense of this.

[AzHotLS]

killer, this thread has some pics showing the bolt used.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=60012

[killerFatty]

Thx AzHotLS. That helped reassure me quite a bit. I put a screw in the hole on the front of the intake manifold and it seemed to stop the smoke. I'll be able to tell for sure tomorrow morning.

[90LS400Lexus]

Not sure if its right or not, but this is how I was told to run the vac lines after blocking the idle-up valve. I was also told you can simply "cap" both of these off with those little caps. My smoke on start up went away immedietly once we did this. The idle-up valve was never causing my car to drip the fluid on the ground... it was only causing the embarrasing smoking on start-up. The external leak ended up being the return line on the back of the reservoir. Leaked for two years and I never knew thats what was leaking. It was a $2 hose and about 10 minutes to replace.

[VigorousBrando]

Hi,

The most probably cause is the o ring seal on the reservoir this is available from Lexus at around $6.00 Part # 90080-30040

You need to remove the low pressure return pipe and 3 bolts holding it to the pump. ( you don't have to remove the pump itself)

Remove as much fluid as you can 1st using a rubber bulb type chicken baster then put plenty of rags under the pump to catch any remaining fluid.

Here are some pictures showing the bolt locations and the o ring.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/ste...exuspspump1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/ste...exuspspump2.jpg

Reassemble then top up the ps fluid and bleed the system.

Good luck

Just wanted to thank you for this suggestion. I think it's going to solve the issues I'm beginning to have with my pump which was just replaced a couple years ago. The car leaks a small amount of fluid after it is turned off and left alone, and I suspect it is coming directly from the pump. The system does not "whine" while in use or act up, but i know P/S fluid bis leaking somewhere because the reservoir needs refilled routinely.

Hopefully an O-Ring is all I need, but are there any other things I should be looking for?

[otherworldliness]

Hi,

The most probably cause is the o ring seal on the reservoir this is available from Lexus at around $6.00 Part # 90080-30040

You need to remove the low pressure return pipe and 3 bolts holding it to the pump. ( you don't have to remove the pump itself)

Remove as much fluid as you can 1st using a rubber bulb type chicken baster then put plenty of rags under the pump to catch any remaining fluid.

Here are some pictures showing the bolt locations and the o ring.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/ste...exuspspump1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e191/ste...exuspspump2.jpg

Reassemble then top up the ps fluid and bleed the system.

Good luck

Thank you as well. The photos are very useful.