1985 2.8L V-6

The car has a slow, but constant leak out of the filler cap. When you take the cap off and start the car, it will suck the fluid down. After filling the reservoir with the car at idle, when you shut the car off - the fluid comes barrelling back out at you. If you have put the cap back on, it slows it down but it still leaks.

In searching, I have found this thread which says that there may be air trapped in the system (second to last post, Special Conditions). Would the suggested bleeding process fix my problem?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
KZad

 

Most likely, you have a leak elsewhere in the system, somewhere on the return side, that's allowing air into the fluid, which then gets pressurized into the fluid.

Try just replacing the low-pressure (return) line. Use high-pressure hydraulic hose, and "fuel injection" type hose clamps.

The system is self-bleeding just in normal operation. If it doesn't keep getting more air in it, it will work it all out fairly quickly. If it keeps doing it, then it has a source of replacement leaked-in air.

 

Thanks RB,

which one is on the return side? Do you have a picture? That would help, a lot.

KZad

 

Look at your hoses.

One of them will have metal ends and flare nuts that hold them into the pump and the steering gear. That's the high-pressure line.... carries fluid at high pressure (up to 1500 psi) from the pump to the gear. The other will be some pieces of tubing with regular looking rubber line stuck on it and hose-clamped. That's the return line..... carries fluid at barely above atmospheric (sometimes below atmospheric, which is how it suck in air) back from the gear to the pump. Not hard to tell which is which.

 

Thanks.