Fluid loss, Power Steering

ttoli

Hi

I've recently bought a 1994 Nissan Sunny(1.5 DOHC), the previous owners only used it 6 weeks of the year whilst here on holiday,After a service(Filters, brakes, oil change and new battery), I'm now using it on a daily basis.
Last week the power steering became heavy whilst parking, so I checked the fluid level, and poured in half a litre, 3 days later and It's down by a cupfull, BUT there are NO leaks, underneath or in the engine bay, Any Ideas??

Thanks

flashg67

It's likely to be leaking out somewgere - if its a pipe union, the pump or the rack, could it be pooling nicely on the plastic engine undertray ready to shower you when the tray is removed?

forgotmyname

Airlock. When topping up the power steering you need to wind the steering from lock to lock several times.

This purges air from the system.

ttoli

flashg67 wrote: »

It's likely to be leaking out somewgere - if its a pipe union, the pump or the rack, could it be pooling nicely on the plastic engine undertray ready to shower you when the tray is removed?

I was thinking that too, high temps here and the car left sitting in the sun for extended periods/perished rubber

ttoli

forgotmyname wrote: »

Airlock. When topping up the power steering you need to wind the steering from lock to lock several times.

This purges air from the system.

Thanks, will give that a try

mikey72

flashg67 wrote: »

It's likely to be leaking out somewgere - if its a pipe union, the pump or the rack, could it be pooling nicely on the plastic engine undertray ready to shower you when the tray is removed?

There won't be an undertray on a 1994 car. It's more likely to be filling the rack gaiters.

ttoli

mikey72 wrote: »

There won't be an undertray on a 1994 car. It's more likely to be filling the rack gaiters.

Interesting!!!, the rack gaiters were replaced too, perhaps something was disturbed??

captainawsome

The rack gators will only be holding the fluid, it will be leaking from the seals in the end of the rack (if it is that leaking). Poke a small hole in them with a straight pick or something sharp, if fluid come out, there's your leak.

mikey72

captainawsome wrote: »

The rack gators will only be holding the fluid, it will be leaking from the seals in the end of the rack (if it is that leaking). Poke a small hole in them with a straight pick or something sharp, if fluid come out, there's your leak.

But the downside is it will leave a hole in the new gaiter, either way. If there's fluid in them, they'll be sagging.

ttoli

mikey72 wrote: »

But the downside is it will leave a hole in the new gaiter, either way. If there's fluid in them, they'll be sagging.

Cheers, will give that a try.

mikey72

Don't make a hole in them though.