A big brown puddle

[dreamr]

So as I go to back out of the garage and turn, my wheels begin to "vibrate" . My power steering moan gets a little noisier. I stop, get out to investigate, big brown puddle, drivers side suspension is soaked with the yucky stuff, engine compartment is full of it to (drivers side only).
After the anger cools a bit and my brain begins to function better. I figure power steering pump check the fluid level very full and has the kinda milky appearance of say melted chocolate. I suspect I see a bit of metal shavings in there also. Though it is dark and hard to say.



My questions.

Is this truly my prob as i believe?

Where did the fluid actually come from, I am just curious as to origin.

Will I cause any further damage driving to the dealer for warranty repair if they cover it

Is it safe to drive, Iwould assume it would be similar to old manual steering but why the shimmy?

This is my daily driver, with few to no alternatives and a busy work life. Any help would be, well helpful.

Thanks in advance
Bryce

 

[dreamr]

I have been using the search feature. And I found a post saying that if you turn the steering wheel while the engine is off fluid may blast out from under the filler cap, I did turn the wheel to full lock once on each side while off tonight, while doing a little plastic trimming. Could this have caused my issue? Could there be air in there?
If so what do I do

 

[JDraper]

Yep, that could cause your problem. Don't know why the fluid is that color though, should be red....The way you bleed the air off is to start the vehicle, make sure the fluid is topped off, and then turn the wheel lock to lock several times. This purges the air out of the steering. Then check your fluid and top off as necessary.

The color of the fluid worries me....It shouldn't be brown. Is it possible that someone put the wrong fluid (i.e. oil?) in the pump??

 

[ALLOUTWAR13]

Hmmmmmm...... the fluid color is a conundrum indeed. Have the fluid changed and see if the rest is like that.

 

[01EB5.0]

White, milky fluid menas ou got water in there and it mixed with the fluid. Definatly get the power steering system flushed out.
Also the puddle and shimmy you describe is in fact caused by the lock-to-lock turn while engine is off. i had it on my 95 and I was doing shocks. I got most of the air out of the system, but I'll tall you it was never perfect. I would still get a moan when parking or whatnot.
On my 2001, they put ona new tie rod and apperantly they got air in my rack. i left the dealer and was about 2 miles away when I hit a set of rail road tracks. I was doing about 50 MPH and my steering wheel began to jerk violently from side to side in an almost uncontrollable fashion. Needless to say I turned around and drove back to the dealer. He said they would try to purge the system again, but that it is sometimes hard to get all of the air out, and i would just have to drive it and the air would work itself out.
So basically, turn lock to lock while it is running to help purge some air. Then drive it for check the fluid from time to time. Also be cautious in case you get the same problem I had.
Good luck!

 

[dreamr]

thank you all so very much for your prompt replies. I was a wee bit panicky last night and didn't want to deal with the ps pump going out. I bled the system as described, and it seems to be doing fine, with the exception of being very low on fluid, which makes it o so loud. The color of the fluid disturbs me indeed. It does have a red cast to it, but it truly looks like melted chocolate. Any way i will flush it out tonight and run some mercon for a while to see if it gets yucky quickly as i suspect it may, then purge and change synthetic. Lesson learned.
DO NOT TURN THE WHEEL WITH THE ENGINE OFF thanks again everyone for your help

 

[dreamr]

Sorry to keep a answered question alive, but I always have more Is there a product on the market for the power steering that can dry up water, kinda like heet for your gas?

 

[JDraper]

Not that I know off. Drain and refill.

 

[dreamr]

Didn't think there would be, Thanks JDraper

 

[Premier]

Hmm with the fluid that color it could also be burnt... Stick your finger in it and then smell it. Then the pump probably does need replaced.