es300mia

I have a 97 es 300, 75,000 miles. There is a fluid leak on the passengers side near the right front tire. Fluid is olive oil color, possibly indicating power steering fluid leak, leak appears to be coming from what I believe to be the power steering pump near the pulley, can't actually see the leak, only where it's dripping off the frame. Checked all fluids, nothing is low.....yet. Are PS leaks a problem? How should I proceed to verify the problem and correct it? New pump? Seal Kit? How hard are we talking?


Thanks,
Mike

flipside909

Power steering fluid should be a red fluid since it uses Dexron III ATF. If you have an olive oil colored fluid, it's probably not your power steering unless the person who last changed your power steering fluid put the wrong stuff in.

ArmyofOne

the factory fill on all ES series car sis an live oil color. if it has never been changed, thats what it is more than likely.

es300mia

the fluid in the reservoir is an olive oil color, and I have read before that the factory fill is olive oil color, can't pic up a smell.

flipside909

Hmmm i've seen both red Dexron ATF and the olive colored p/s fluid used for both applications.

flipside909

As for your fluid, you may want to see where the fluid is leaking from...either your pump that's leaking or possibly the rack. Either way, both are expensive parts to repair/replace unfortunately.

ArmyofOne

did some searching, it seems that they did come with both.


mine leaks slowly. it actually leaks more air into the system than fluid out.