power steering leak

[dthebuk]

Hi guys, currently got a power steering leak which I have managed to locate on the pipework just in front of the oil cooler



close up

the leak is very slow, about 1 drop every 20-30 seconds or so coming from the top pipe in the picture. It only leaks whilst the engine is running. It looks like someone has already tried to fix it. Other than replacing the pipe, does anyone have any ideas on how i could fix it? Doesn\'t need to be long term though it would be nice. I did gaffa tape it a while back which worked for about a week or so but it\'d be nice to have a leak free system!

Failing that, is it possible to disable the power steering without removing it?

cheers!

[Prof]

It probably leaks more when you turn the wheels too !
 
The problem is the PS piping is under quite a bit of pressure.  The only real fix is to replace the PS cooler pipe - bit of a struggle to get it off, need to remove battery for starters, and possibly rad.  For very small leaks, one of the PS fluids has some leak stop type stuff in it - I think it may be the slik50 but not sure - gave my bottle to Mitch when he had problems - it didn\'t fix it, but reduced the leak a little.

[dthebuk]

sweet, found some and some sort of additive. think I\'ll use that for now and swap it all out when i put the front mount on.

Thanks alot!

[Adam fc]

As a quick fix i junked my leaking power steering cooler and just ran some fuel hose from the rack to the pump,far from ideal really so i got a small universal oil cooler off egay for £50.00 as mazda qouted me £200.00 for a oem power steering cooler!!

[dthebuk]

sounds like a good idea mate i\'ll look into it.
cheers for that!

[pdtaylor18]

The cooler is just a bit of metal tubing, just fabricate something yourself as its only jubilee clips each end. This is such a common problem and surprised no one has come up with a good replacement yet. I have seen a motorbike oil cooler being used in this application and works well. If mine goes i shall do something similar.

[dthebuk]

sounds like an idea and a bit of fun too. I\'ll let you know what i do

cheers for all the help

[rx7boy]

I know its and FD but similar principle,

I just bought an oil cooler for a small motorbike and used fuel/oil hose, the purpose of mine is to cool the fluid due to drifting but would work in your application

Pics

[cabot]

Hi
The pipe in the picture is on the return i.e. low pressure side of the system.
Pete is right.  I had one go recently on one of my FCs. As a temporary measure I used same diameter microbore central heating tubing to fabricate a new cooler and joined it with petrol pipe tubing and clips.  It\'s been fine.
I\'ve got a new pipe from Mazda but as Prof says, it\'s not easy to fit, so for the time being, it\'s just sitting in the garage on the shelf.
Good luck

[m1tch]

Mate, thats where mine leaked from, just replace the whole pipe, or just bypass it.

[dthebuk]

looks pretty simple, i\'ll  get on it right away!