steering fluid leak?

[Bbruins72]

Guys please help. I have had a minor leak and it is getting worse. It appears to be the steering fluid. Others have confirmed most likely a bad hose. It is my daily driver so I don't want to press my luck. Check these pics out. The paperback of leak was over night from 6 pm to about 8 am.





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[Bbruins72]

Is it safe to check fluids and drive for a few more days. If never had a car with this issue and not sure how serious to treat it. Thanks.

[dnguyen1963]

Your hose is getting very old. You should replace it. Yes, you can refill the fluid and drive your car until the replacement comes.

[Seawolf]

You could give that banjo and hose head a good cleaning to better see where the leak is. Cycle the steering left / right a few times to load pressurize the system and the leak point 'should' be visible.

I agree with others - that hose looks past its working life but is that banjo bolt tight ? If it isn't and the leak is there then replace the copper washers and refit - though I'd be looking to replace that hose anyway.

[AndrewBird]

I'd try tightening the banjo bolt first. Might be all you need to fix it.

And to those saying the hoses look "old", the pictures posted are no where near clear enough to determine their condition. Not to mention they are soaked in oil.

OP, wipe the hose off as Seawolf said and look for the leak. Take a look the the hoses closely as well. There shouldn't be any cracking or any other signs of deterioration. If there is, replace them.

[jake5]

I just went through this.
First be carful tightening the banjo fitting, (by the way this is called a hollow bolt if you need to search for it). This is a M16 Thread and despite its size, it is hollow with holes in it and breaks pretty easy (yes I did ). As suggested above, clean the area well as suggested and find the leak. Often the hose assembly gets stressed when the fitting is tightened and the crimping of the metal on the end of the hose gives. So after cleaning feel around that area, If wet, replace the hose. And when you replace, carful you don't stress the heck out of the hose when you tighten the fitting.
Also go blow $3 and go to the dealership and get some new seals (what ever the reason is for leaks). Warning: for some reason a bunch of places have the same part number for the m14 and the m16, which of course is wrong, You want the M16, I believe Correct part number is 32-41-1-093-597.
Clean the fitting, sealing surface on the pump and the seals very well. I used a very tiny bit of non handing RTV to hold everything together.

[Bbruins72]

Thank you everyone. I am a complete newbie to alot of these DIY or self diagnoses.

So I was able to get my hands up under the reservoir and boy oh boy is it dirty and has fluids on the bottom of the reservior and near the hose exits. Iam considering buying a new reservoir new hoses and nuts. Just seems to be the safest measure, is to go new items. All parts from bavauto appear to be around 100.00 bucks.

Thanks jake 5 for that part number reference in the above post.

[AndrewBird]

The reservoir actually has a built in filter, so it is a good idea to replace it at a regular interval (no idea how long though).

[itsonlygeorge]

steering fluid leak?

Honestly, just get a PS delete and sell the PS pump. No reason to spend $100 on a hose/reservoir. Upgrade to a e36 rack if you're going to spend money...

Otherwise, you'll need new crush washers for the banjo bolts as well.

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