It may be the line itself. On both my old '99 and my current '00, I had a
case where the pressure line started leaking through the hose itself. Not
at any fitting, but literally though the hose. It had deteriorated and
became porous. I replaced o-rings and even swapped pumps thinking it was
leaking from somewhere else. Only swapping out the entire hose fixed the
problem. On my '00, when the motor was running, I actually saw the power
steering fluid weeping through the hose out really small holes all along it.
brian cropp
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Tom Coulter
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 3:01 PM
To: Dakota-Truck.net Forum
Subject: DML: Leaking power steering fluid
Importance: High
This applies to the '97 Dakota Sport (2WD/3.9L)
I recently noticed that power steering fluid is leaking and running along
the line sheathed w/ the slit corrugated cover (the other line is bare). I
presume this is the outlet line from the pump, which I think lies just
beneath the reservoir.
I have also been getting a Check Engine (haven't pulled the code).
I wonder if anyone has seen this. Is it likely the seal at the pump where
the outlet line connects? Or is it more likely the seal where the reservoir
attaches?
I have seen anecdotal info that alludes to the power steering pressure
switch (which may be located under the reservoir). These anecdotes also
suggest a connection with the O2 sensor. I bring this up because the other
day, my truck - w/o warning - began to wildly lose power for a brief spell.
This now makes me wonder if there's a connection.
I checked the Dakota-Truck.net archives and didn't see anything that seemed
to fit my scenario. Any thoughts or experience w/ this are appreciated.
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06:16:00
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