skla

I have a 95 LS400 and my power steering is leaking. I'm looking to put a stop leak additive in but I don't know if I should use Transmission stop leak or Power steering stop leak.... Please Help!!!

Sin1UZFE

I wouldnt use stop leak. Replace PS pump if leaking from there

YODAONE

Better not to use any kind of stop leak.
Locate the source of leak and repair it.

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

Look on here for other PS repair issues. A very common one is in the "idle up air valve" (that also goes by similar names) that increases engine RPM to help in parallel parking. Nice feature, but it inevitably fails and leaks a lot. If you have white smoke from the exhaust on startup and are low on PSF, this is likely to be a problem. And that particular problem would absolutely not be fixable with a stop leak product.

The pressures on the high pressure side of the PS pump are very high, and would be likely to blow past any repair that is not done right.

One way or another, you need to stop the PSF from leaking onto the alternator (right below the pump) or you will be replacing the alternator as well.

Good luck.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

what everyone is telling you, is their is no quick fix... repair, replace, but do something before your alt is ruined..
this is what I done.... use an old clorex plastic bottle.... been using it 6 or 7 years now, just keep the fluid level up..

Bylan

Stop leak is great for killing chevy's and fords, don't ever put any sort of additive or stop leak in your Lexus. Not in the cooling system, not in the power steering system, nowhere. They will do way more damage than "repairs". Investigate and find the leak, get it fixed. If the repair cost seems expensive, or you aren't comfortable handling a few wrenches, a Lexus is not the car for you. It was once a $60k car and it still needs $60k car maintenance.

Sin1UZFE

Wrong on the Lexus is not for you if you aren't comfortable with wrenches. That's why repair shops exist.

E: Test

RA40

iTrader: (6)

That is one aspect that while they have depreciated in value, the repair costs are still at Lexus rates. Non dealer shops can lessen the wallet hurt to some extent. DIY certainly helps if one is willing.

Bylan

Read first, then comment. "If the repair cost seems expensive, OR you arent comfortable turning wrenches". Theres 2 options. Option #3 isnt buy a mystery bottle at autozone and pour away. You get that sort of advice on facebook, not here.

Sin1UZFE

Read first then commented wont change my comment. However that option 3 I can agree with. No stop leak stuff.

deanshark

Wow, you could have just said "stop leaks are no good". Different people can take that comment in different ways. I first read it as you were calling him poor and not capable of working on cars. I saw in a different post he did just change his starter. Plus, he's a new member, don't scare him away.
Even though I hate stop leak products, the condition of my car right now I would try something on it if it was leaking. It's a $500 car, I wouldn't put $1000 into it. Not every Lexus is gonna get a $60k car maintenance.

Just my opinion

Sin1UZFE

He's also a new member

Bylan

I never intend to insult anyone here, clublexus is an excellent community, far more respectful and informative than any car-specific forum that I frequent. I bought my first lexus when I was dirt-poor and graduating high school, which means I needed to research a lot and do all my own repairs. If i didn't know how to research and turn wrenches, or if paying a shop $1000 on each occasion of a leak, seal failure, timing belt replacement, or basically anything on these cars, I would have bought a cheap Honda or something. I also don't trust literally any automotive shops, every experience has shown me I can save 80% of my money and do it the right way myself. Big thanks to all the intelligent contributors on this forum.

Sherl

I did the PS Pump replacement myself. I ordered a remanufactured from RockAuto, AC Delco and OE Toyota Idling valve and the tube (https://amayama.com/)
Actually in my case the PS Pump didnt leak, the previous mechanic went cheap on the tube and it become brittle enough to lose the seal so anyways I ended up replacing the pump and the tube and the valve.
It took me a good eight hour or so with figuring out all by myself and with just a wrench set and HF breaker bars. If you search the forum and youtube there are step by step instructions to do so. I was fairly confident after this job that I did brakes (disc, parking). I also made sure to use the highest quality components and even the grease (permatex or what so ever) in any case. It was a good experience and gave me an idea how possibly I would be ripped off else.

The original quote previously was $400 (for PS Pump) and $300 for labor wherever for all the four brakes it was $450 in total. I spent half of that quote to put quality components into my car. DO search the forum and reddit lexus sub, there are plenty of post and help.

Gather all the tools and have handy. Lexus cars are usually packed so its going to take sometime to get things out but at the end the results were HAPPY!

Fit1too

Wow, good for you! You get a lot of satisfaction in doing things yourself and the right way, plus you learn stuff (about yourself and the car).