How Long Can I Drive with Power Steering Fluid Leak?

Obviously, the power steering fluid leak won’t leave you helpless on the side of the road. However, if this leakage problem is not handled timely, it can also wreck the car, causing its repair to be more expensive than you imagined.

So, when it comes to power steering fluid leak, make sure to drive your car unless you get to any nearest station for replacing the fluid and getting the repair done. Now the question arises, for how much miles a person can drive with the leaking power steering fluid? To get the answer, let’s continue reading it.

What Is Power Steering Fluid?

You often wonder “why is my power steering fluid leaking”. But before going to know the reason cause power steering fluid leak and how long can you drive with power steering fluid leak. Let’s find out what is power steering fluid.

Power steering fluid is hugely important to the performance and life of your car. It’s what keeps things smooth and streamlined on the road. Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in your steering system. In detail, it helps create the pressure that pushes on either side of your car’s rack-mounted piston, allowing you to turn the wheels with ease. Since the majority of cars today use power assisted steering (PAS) systems, this fluid is essential for smooth steering.

Causes Of Power Steering Fluid Leak

In order to understand the power steering fluid leak issue, you must first know what causes this problem. There are many way for your car leaking power steering fluid, but we will just list out the most common 4 factors:

Power Steering Pump

One of the most popular spots for a leak is the power steering pump. It is usually because of the worn seal around the pump shaft, which creates a source of leaks.

Another factor is the pump itself: When the pump creates pressure, it accidentally breaks the pump casing. Since most of them consist of two bolting halves, the joint gasket will leak if it is old or loose.

Hydro Boost Brakes

Hydro boost brake is, even though quite rare, yet another place to look at if you are checking for power steering fluid leak . On some vehicles, the brake system will combine with the power unit for steering. This sounds like a convenience plan, yet there will be several components and hoses that divide the power from one system to another. And yes you are correct, each hose, especially the seal, gasket, can develop leaks.

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Power Steering Hoses

This is without a doubt the most common part to check when your vehicle has leaking power steering fluid. The power steering system has a pressure hose and a return hose. A pressure hose will lead from the steering box to the power steering pump, while a return hose will connect the gearbox to the reservoir. In many cases, the hoses can form a crack and make power steering fluid leak if the connection or seal is loose. This will lead to the disconnection between steering system components and the hoses.

Steering Gear Housing

Last but not least, steering gear housing. It also depends on which type of power steering system, yet the mechanism is usually housed in the steering gear housing or within the rack housing. And both of them can cause leaks. If the seals for the power assist piston are worn or old, they can leak easily.

Miles to Drive with Leaking Power Steering Fluid

Knowing how long one can drive is equally important as understanding the consequences of driving with power steering fluid leak. In this regard, there is no doubt that you can cover miles with the fluid in the power steering pump, even if it’s leaking. However, the situation can get worse damaging the pump, if there is no fluid in it.

To know more on this issue, explore the following list to keep you on the road.

Traveling Distance with Badly Power Steering Fluid Leak

In this case, topping off the fluid is necessary every time you cover a few miles as it keeps you driving indefinitely. For instance, 14o z of fluid is added into the pump to drive for 400 miles approximately. However, if the level of the power steering fluid leak is not examined timely, it can drain completely. Thus, leading to the more dangerous problem associated with the power steering rack.

Once your car has leaking power steering fluid, it makes the driver feel as if the power steering has locked up. To add on, the noise from under the hood can also be heard while steering. Furthermore, on a curve or sharp bend roads, the power steering won’t respond well making it even more difficult to drive, especially in the mountainous area.

Traveling Distance Without Fluid In Power Steering Pump

Operating with a power steering pump that has no fluid in it can likely cause the pump failure in a few minutes only. In fact, one won’t be able to cover even the first hundred miles with a dried power steering pump. Without the fluid, the power steering pump or rack can overheat leading to complete failure of the system. In addition to it, the serpentine belt would also seize by either snap or come off. This will result in loss of alternator and water pump, too. And, if it’s not repaired timely, the head gasket can also break down.

What Can Happen If You Continuously Drive Your Car With Power Steering Fluid Leak

If you know your car has a problem that is power steering fluid leak, there are some consequences which power steering fluid leak causes to your car.

1. Wrecking the car

You lose power steering and you are not accustomed to driving without power steering. You may wreck your car. It’s like your steering just locked up when it happens for the first time and if you happen to be in a curve you may not react well to it. The percent that you will be in a curve because a turned steering wheel is what will trigger this failure is really high.  This is especially pronounced at low speeds and can make steering extremely difficult. Your vehicle’s instruction manual will outline the dangers of driving with no power steering fluid.

2. Losing power brakes

Since each model and brand is different, in some cars, when it loses the power steering, it also means losing the power brakes. They are still operable, but you will need to apply a lot more pressure to them. 

3. Damaging the pump

The pump will be damaged if you continuously drive your car with a power steering fluid leak. Because the level of fluid is going to reduce gradually until finish, and your pump runs dry. This causes increased friction and heat and can quickly cause expensive damage. If you need to drive your car with no power steering fluid, try to avoid extreme turns to the left or right, and replace your fluid as soon as possible.

4. Overheating

If you lose your power steering, adapt to not having it, and continue to drive. The next consequence to fail due to overheating because of no power steering fluid that additionally acts as coolant for that system is either your power steering pump or your steering rack. If your rack fails, that’s a $1000 repair or maybe more.

How To Power Steering Fluid Leak Fix?

Now you already know the reason why the power steering fluid leak and the consequence of driving a car with power steering fluid leak. So how to fix power steering leaks? Yes you should find where the leak is and fix it. There are 3 possible leaking places that you may find in your car.

1. Steering gear or rack

It is the most common location of car leaking power steering fluid because the seals here are subject to the most road grime and dirt that can wear the shafts and seals. The leak in steering gear will be on the top of the gear where the steering column enters or at the bottom where the pitman arm is attached. Another leak place is where the tie rods connect to the rack which cause power steering fluid leaking fast if your car is equipped with a steering rack. If your car has the leak here, you can use some power steering stop leak product. There are many different products in the market so go forward for one and fix your steering gear and rack.

2. Power steering pump

The leak would be at the point where the pump shaft exits the pump body and is connected to the pulley.  If you find a leak here, you will also find fluid dripping from behind the pump pulley. What you can do or the best thing you can do in this case is replacing your power steering pump. This is usually a relatively inexpensive maintenance item and these leaks can indicate future problems like bearing or pump failures.

3. The hose or tubing

If the leak is not in the power steering pump, then you should check the hose and the tubing that carry the power steering fluid from the pump to your steering gear or rack.  Where a rubber hose transitions to a hard line or where a hard line screws into the rack or pump are the most common. Many power steering systems are using a long hard pipe in the return line placed towards the front of your vehicle as a type of cooling system. It makes sure to inspect the full length of hose and pipe. So if you find a leak here, you can try tightening the connection or adding teflon tape to the threads being careful not to let any tape enter the system. But for long, we recommend you to replace any leaked hose or tubing.

Summary

Besides this, leaking power steering fluid means losing the power steering and subsequently, the power brakes. However, as a driver, you can use brakes but this time, you will need to apply more force to them. Finally, after knowing all about the failures caused due to the power steering fluid leak, The best thing you can do is take your car to the nearest service station as maintenance in case you do not know how to fix it by yourself.