Help! Mud-flooded power steering fluid

[Desert Explorer]

Took the X out to play in the mud this weekend, and came across a strange issue. I was checking things out under the hood after I got home, take off the power steering reservoir cap and low and behold, strawberry milkshake fluid....somehow some mud got in there!
Got two sections of plastic tubing: 1st tube with one end in fluid, other in empty container, 2nd tube with one end in fluid, other end I shot compressed air into, to drain what I could from the reservoir. When I got out what I could I filled it back up, started the truck, turned the wheels, and re-checked. Same. Repeated this about 5 times, with the same results.
On another note I noticed a possible tiny leak about a month ago, which hasn't caused any problems that I can tell and hardly drains any fluid.

It's a 93' XLT, 4.0L V6, 2WD

I'm stumped as to how it got in there, any ideas? Any help on what to do is greatly apprecitated

 

[vrytired]

Took the X out to play in the mud this weekend, and came across a strange issue. I was checking things out under the hood after I got home, take off the power steering reservoir cap and low and behold, strawberry milkshake fluid....somehow some mud got in there!
Got two sections of plastic tubing: 1st tube with one end in fluid, other in empty container, 2nd tube with one end in fluid, other end I shot compressed air into, to drain what I could from the reservoir. When I got out what I could I filled it back up, started the truck, turned the wheels, and re-checked. Same. Repeated this about 5 times, with the same results.
On another note I noticed a possible tiny leak about a month ago, which hasn't caused any problems that I can tell and hardly drains any fluid.

It's a 93' XLT, 4.0L V6, 2WD

I'm stumped as to how it got in there, any ideas? Any help on what to do is greatly apprecitated

theres a little hole in the cap for air to go in/out, maybe it seeped in there.

 

[Desert Explorer]

Thanks for the fast response, I didn't know there was a hole there, I'd say it's very propable that that was the route of entry, especially since there was mud everywhere in the engine compartment.
Is there an easy way to flush the fluid?

 

[Htown451]

if you can find where the power steering drains, unplug that drain out your old power steering and flush it with a water hose then refill with fresh PS fluid and run your car for a few mins in park to get it flowing,

 

[unclemeat]

I have never had that problem, or even heard of it, an I have been known to run in mud boggs. The resivior on the power stearing pump operates on negative pressure. So it is possible for it to suck mud. However it sounds to me like there is a leak around the pump and air is leaking into the fluid. I would try adding some Lucas power steering stop leak and see if the problem goes away. If it does then it is most likely a leak.

Never put water in a power steering system. Flush only with power steering fluid.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

if you can find where the power steering drains, unplug that drain out your old power steering and flush it with a water hose then refill with fresh PS fluid and run your car for a few mins in park to get it flowing,

Do Not Flush with Water IE.....water and oil dont mix. It will do nothing the dirt will still be in there. You can take the return hose and the belt off. By adding fluid to the resi then turning the pully on the ps pump the fluid will drain out in to a pan or something to cach the dirty ps fluid. then after you get clean fluid comeing out the return line. put it all back together, add Lucas power steering stop leak for the leak.

 

[Desert Explorer]

Thanks everyone! I will be sure to flush as per described, and add some Lucas stuff. Will post an update when finished.

 

[Htown451]

yea thanks for catching that, i must have got confused because i just flsuhed my radiator with water and must have been thinking of that when looking at this thanks for catching that

 

[cgriffin_5139]

yea thanks for catching that, i must have got confused because i just flsuhed my radiator with water and must have been thinking of that when looking at this thanks for catching that

No problem bud we all have brain farts every now and then.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Thanks everyone! I will be sure to flush as per described, and add some Lucas stuff. Will post an update when finished.

So after you get it fixed are you coming to truckhaven! Its going to be a blast.

 

[Desert Explorer]

So after you get it fixed are you coming to truckhaven! Its going to be a blast.

I'm trying hard to work things out to go

 

[cgriffin_5139]

I'm trying hard to work things out to go

cool dont forget to sign up