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Possible power steering problem?

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Old 02-27-2008 | 06:16 PM
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Possible power steering problem?

Alright...I had just finished installing my new pulleys, the car was idling fine when steam started shooting out from the area of the front driver's side tire. Shut the car down, jacked it up, found a nice pool of power steering fluid on the floor and where i believe the high pressure leak had come from.. the hydraulic lines under the power steering pump....i believe the gasket is blown and i tightened down on the union for good measure till i can get a new gasket and the leak hasn't happened again...now I've got a CEL and my DSC is constantly flashing with the little sliding car light in the middle of the tach...I don't all that the 8 monitors well enough to now that if the CEL and flashing DSC is because of low power steering fluid levels or if it could be something bigger...any input would be appreciated....thanks..Justin
Old 02-27-2008 | 06:41 PM
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LoL @ The Power Steering Fluid
Old 02-27-2008 | 06:52 PM
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FYI Our RX8s have Electronically Assisted Steering Wheels which means we have no Power Steering fluid. What colour is the fluid you see on the ground?

What year is your car?

HOw much Mileage on your car?
Old 02-27-2008 | 07:05 PM
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Did not know that there was no power steering fluid.....learn something new every day....red in color....guess it could be brake fluid...unless thats electronic too and i don't know about that...car is an 04...mileage is 43k and change.
Old 02-27-2008 | 07:17 PM
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It's radiator fluid most likely..............if you saw steam.
When you installed these pulleys, did you hit the radiator by accident or possibly knock a hose clamp loose or pinch a hose?

Your squiggly lines are because you didn't do the proper reset after you disconnected the negative terminal of the battery.....I'll guess?
If I'm right, then go do the following

1.) Turn the key to 'ON' (do not start the car). Depress the brake pedal ~20 times until you see the oil pressure gauge sweep halfway and then back.

2.) Turn car back on(not start) and turn wheel all the way to the right and then to the left. This should make the DCS light go off. Then turn off the car, wait a few seconds and turn it back in(do not start) and the TCS light shouuld go off.


After that just start your car as normal, but don't forget to NOT shut it off cold!

Last edited by Mazurfer; 02-27-2008 at 08:03 PM.
Old 02-27-2008 | 09:15 PM
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Yeah, I know, I thought that too......tranny........but it's possible that it was a finer stream and shooting over that direction?
I know reddish for radiator coolant isn't norm, but it's possible.....I forget who makes it.
Old 02-27-2008 | 09:18 PM
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Dexcool is red...all you would have to do is open the rad cap and see what color the coolant is.

There aren't too many options for red fluid......
Old 02-27-2008 | 09:23 PM
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Yeah..........that I know, so I hope you're responding to the OP.
Mine ain't red...............I know that much!
Old 02-27-2008 | 09:32 PM
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Why would I talk to you

Of course it was directed toward the OP
Old 02-27-2008 | 10:50 PM
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yeah, AT fluid can be red. -_- i had a chyrsler tranny blow up on me. at 60mph on the highway. loool. that was fun.

BOOOOM! WTF?

Old 02-28-2008 | 06:24 AM
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Thanks for all the info...i'll go do the reset for the DSC....i'll let you know what i discover when i look it later on today
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