Help! Power steering reservoir is leaking from the cap. Seems like its engine oil....

[slowmotion]

I've noticed that there is a leak dripping to the under carriage of my 9-3 when I was chaging my engine oil. At first I thought it was oil but when I traced where it came from, it was from the power steering reservoir. I cleaned up everything and drove the car again for another day. I looked at the power steeting reservoir and sure enough there was more fluid leaking. Now the fluid that's coming out of the cap looks like engine oil. Is the power steering and engine somewhat connected? I've only had the car for a year and never had to add any steering fluid so I am not sure if the power steering fluid for the 9-3 looks like oil. What type of steering fluid does the car needs? Has there been any issues with 2003 9-3's where the power steering leaks?

The power steering feels the same as it was when I first got the car last year. However with the amount of leak that comes from the power steering reservoir cap, the dip stick still indicates that it's still full.

Please help! Thanks in advance!

[rsances]

You need to get a new pump, The engine oil is getting in due to a faulty ps pump seal where it goes into the cyl head. Also flush the lines aswell.

[slowmotion]

So I have to replace the entire pump assembly? How hard is it to replace?

Originally Posted by rsances

You need to get a new pump, The engine oil is getting in due to a faulty ps pump seal where it goes into the cyl head. Also flush the lines aswell.

[KrOlDoG8]

I have the same issue, my cap is always a little damp, never dripping or dumping fluid just a little build-up after time. I figued it was just a worn cap-seal.

Originally posted by rsances
You need to get a new pump, The engine oil is getting in due to a faulty ps pump seal where it goes into the cyl head. Also flush the lines aswell.

How is this happening? has this happened to you? And I thought that the oil would leak around the cam seal down onto the engine, not into the p.s resevoir? Are you sure about this?

[slowmotion]

I took the car to a local shop and the mechanic said the engine oil will not leak into the ps steering because there is no direct connection between the two. He checked the ps fluid and said it's not engine oil, it just looks like engine oil. He removed some fluids and left just the right amount in the resevoir. I've been driving for 2 days now and no leaks. Now I don't know how it got overfilled since I've never added any ps fluids since I got the car. My guess is it was topped off when I went in for a recall service at my Saab dealer.

[rsances]

We have been doing like one pump a week here..., keeping one on the shelf at all times. Lets see the pump is on the end of the cam on the head.. take out the pump you will see oil :/

I work at a dealer btw...

[KrOlDoG8]

Originally posted by rsances
I work at a dealer btw...

Do you work at a Saab dealer? And if you do are you a technician? Do you change these pumps? and why do the seals fail?

[wassallj]

Mine was leaking before it went out of warranty but the dealer said it was because the cap was not on tight. Right after the warranty ran out it starting leaving large puddles under the car. It cost $450 to replace the steering pump. I wish I had insisted it be replaced before the warranty ran out.

[rsances]

Originally Posted by KrOlDoG8

Do you work at a Saab dealer? And if you do are you a technician? Do you change these pumps? and why do the seals fail?

Yes, No, Yes. Dunno, thats where they leak .... I'm not an engineer of the seal.

Doing one today actually, if I can I will take pic of old pump once its out.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by rsances

Doing one today actually, if I can I will take pic of old pump once its out.

I, for one, really appreciate that you take the time to post here. Thanks.

I wish automakers would sponsor their own support forums so we had a real "go-to" source for tech questions.

[rsances]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

I, for one, really appreciate that you take the time to post here. Thanks.

I wish automakers would sponsor their own support forums so we had a real "go-to" source for tech questions.

No problem, I am here to help. I am willing to help when I can.

well, here it is freshly removed from car this morning, oil and ps fluid mixed. as you can see from these 2 pics, seal looks good... New pump looks same...

[rsances]

update*

I ordered a couple after replacing this one for stock, and I recieved two "new" numbered pumps. It appears the number has superceded. 12 773 869 is the new number. SO, if you are getting this replaced mb ask to make sure your getting this newer number. Somthing has changed, I looked them over nothing visually...

old number was 12 785 125 btw

just a fyi for ya's

[slowmotion]

Originally Posted by rsances

update*

I ordered a couple after replacing this one for stock, and I recieved two "new" numbered pumps. It appears the number has superceded. 12 773 869 is the new number. SO, if you are getting this replaced mb ask to make sure your getting this newer number. Somthing has changed, I looked them over nothing visually...

old number was 12 785 125 btw

just a fyi for ya's

How were you able to order 2 new pumps? When I talked to 2 dealers, both said the parts has been backordered for 3 weeks now. The one dealer by me is number 15 on the waiting list.

Maybe I missed it, but how does the oil get into the ps pump? I'm still confused.

[rsances]

You are right, I had a couple on my shelfs for a couple weeks now, then sold them , reordered yesterday and got 2 of the new numbers.

Tell him to order the New number , SAAB has 26 in stock

where are you from?

[slowmotion]

Originally Posted by rsances

You are right, I had a couple on my shelfs for a couple weeks now, then sold them , reordered yesterday and got 2 of the new numbers.

Tell him to order the New number , SAAB has 26 in stock

where are you from?

i'm in north nj. i will call them again later. how can i be sure that oil is getting into the pump? the last tech that looked at it said it's not oil but ps fluid. thanks!

[rsances]

lets see saab eastcoast warehouse is in pennsylvannia.. I got it within 18 hrs after placing it.. he needs to make sure his parts are on Emergency orders not stock orders.... Emergency orders take preference over stock orders..

I am not a tech, I work in parts dept. The tech that replaced the one above said it comes thru the gasket. Thats all hes said. It may be internally to the pump..., it is cam driven...

[psychop]

Looks like i am getting the same problem, along with other colleague with 9-3SS.
Engine oil gets slowly into the steering system, and the symptom is overfilled reservoir tank every couple of days, even if excess fluid is drained.

I will be replacing the pump but the question is, has the engine oil possibly damaged some parts (seals, rubber..?) in the steering system or i should not
worry too much?


Thanks

[SidewaysD]

same problem...

checked the dipstick for powersteering, sure enough the bone head dealership overfilled it.

Removed some, no problems.

[psychop]

OK guys,

Got the new pump and almost 3 quarts of GM steering oil (i know, i don't need that much but i want to flush the circuit a bit). Also got some small hardware like gaskets etc. I have planned to do it tonight and after i'm done i'll post a little photostory...hope that there will be no surprises.

[Warren Demontague]

For the record, what does the proper power steering fluid look and smell like? I checked mine yesterday and it sure seemed like engine oil was in there. Just wanted to know before I make the appointment.