HELP 2.0T Oil leak

[Xeo01]

This happened to mine when the seal on the vacuum assist pump went. With the engine cool take your fingers and check for oil on the pump next to the Ionization module, behind the power steering pump. I tried making my own seal but still leaked and made a exhaust leak sound/rattle so I had to buy a new one. A little over $300.

[Diggs]

Originally Posted by Moreno Chulo89

I have notice that my power steering reservoir is always oily after I clean it. I'm guessing there is a leak but in the 19 months I've owned this car never had puddles or a power steering low warning, if there is one.

There shouldn't be any oil on your pump or around it. I would think the fluid in question is PS fluid and oil mix from a bad seal on the PS pump. There is no chime or indicator or warning if PS fluid is low, just something you have to check yourself.

[Moreno Chulo89]

Didnt mean oil in my pump but can tell the reservoir has been leaking. I checked the power steering fluid yesterday morning and its low. I took my 724 mile trip anyway and just getting settled in. I dont know what is the cause of the leak. Not sure if im paranoid or if my trans was shifting a little jerky. Ill check it in the morning. I ran my hand under the ps reservoir and and it was dirty. If the ps is low, how does it overflow past the cap? What are some signs that i need to add fluid to save my trans? Ive yet to see it slip. The fluid leaking is a golden color and doesnt have a strong smell. My ps fluid is a red brown color. I havent added any oil since saab changed it, so nothing should be over filled. They tested my coolant reservoir friday and said it held pressure for 30 mins. I think i have a porpous block.

[Diggs]

Originally Posted by Moreno Chulo89

Didnt mean oil in my pump but can tell the reservoir has been leaking. I checked the power steering fluid yesterday morning and its low. I took my 724 mile trip anyway and just getting settled in. I dont know what is the cause of the leak. Not sure if im paranoid or if my trans was shifting a little jerky. Ill check it in the morning. I ran my hand under the ps reservoir and and it was dirty. If the ps is low, how does it overflow past the cap? What are some signs that i need to add fluid to save my trans? Ive yet to see it slip. The fluid leaking is a golden color and doesnt have a strong smell. My ps fluid is a red brown color. I havent added any oil since saab changed it, so nothing should be over filled. They tested my coolant reservoir friday and said it held pressure for 30 mins. I think i have a porpous block.

Yeah, if it is low it isn't leaking from the PS. It would be full to the brim.

[JonV]

Originally Posted by Moreno Chulo89

Didnt mean oil in my pump but can tell the reservoir has been leaking. I checked the power steering fluid yesterday morning and its low. I took my 724 mile trip anyway and just getting settled in. I dont know what is the cause of the leak. Not sure if im paranoid or if my trans was shifting a little jerky. Ill check it in the morning. I ran my hand under the ps reservoir and and it was dirty. If the ps is low, how does it overflow past the cap? What are some signs that i need to add fluid to save my trans? Ive yet to see it slip. The fluid leaking is a golden color and doesnt have a strong smell. My ps fluid is a red brown color. I havent added any oil since saab changed it, so nothing should be over filled. They tested my coolant reservoir friday and said it held pressure for 30 mins. I think i have a porpous block.

The power steering leak is caused by an internal oil seal failure that lets oil in the reservoir and the overpressure causes the fluid to leak at out the cap.

[Tony93]

Vacuum pump O-Ring has deteriorated. It was fine with the older/thicker oil but when I went with the thinner oil, it started to leak in the places you show in your pictures. The lead is from much higher up. If you look at your engine from the front, at the right of the camshaft, the front most cam connects to the power steering module, but the rear most cam connects to the vacuum pump and ionization module. It has an O ring that seals it to the cam shafts. Run your hand below it and if it is oily, that is the culprit. Cost of the o-ring is about $16US, takes about 15 minutes to do it, GM part number 55561100. Hope this helps, I was about to spend $$$ to replace a rear engine oils seal, glad someone else on this forum helped me out.

[Moreno Chulo89]

I tried taking the bolt that holds the trans dip stick but its a PITA so i left it alone.The leak seems to have slowed down somehow. First day on vacation there were no leaks. Thought it was due to a friend cracking my brake fluid cap so i got a new one. Parked the car around 8pm. Checked it at 11 no leaks. Checked it just now and theres a couple drips. The fluid went from a nice rich color to a dirty brown. I dont believe its engine oil because it doesnt smell like gas. My oil cap and dip stick smell like gas, but its the only fluid that was recently changed thats dirty now. My oil is way past max but maybe due to the dye in the oil. Cleaned the ps reservoir Mon and its still clean. I havent had trans fluid changed since last year so it should already be dirty? So unless this is left over brake fluid sitting somewhere underneath the engine, id have to guess its the trans leaking even tho it doesnt have a strong odor its almost oderless. I think a seal is going to leak at the same rate no matter how many times you wash the underbody. So hopefully its nothing major because i dont have money to dump in it now. Still dont know what hell is wrong with it.

[Moreno Chulo89]

Originally Posted by Tony93

Vacuum pump O-Ring has deteriorated. It was fine with the older/thicker oil but when I went with the thinner oil, it started to leak in the places you show in your pictures. The lead is from much higher up. If you look at your engine from the front, at the right of the camshaft, the front most cam connects to the power steering module, but the rear most cam connects to the vacuum pump and ionization module. It has an O ring that seals it to the cam shafts. Run your hand below it and if it is oily, that is the culprit. Cost of the o-ring is about $16US, takes about 15 minutes to do it, GM part number 55561100. Hope this helps, I was about to spend $$$ to replace a rear engine oils seal, glad someone else on this forum helped me out.

Ok thanks. What were u quoted for rear seals? Just incase i should ever need to replace mine.

[Moreno Chulo89]

Happy to report no leaks in 4 months. Now I dont trust Saab with my car.