centexgem

Today is the first cold (35deg) morning of the year. After driving a few miles I noticed noise when I turned. I opened the hood to find quite a bit of fluid coming from the reservoir. It looks like it is being forced out around the lid. On taking the top off, it is pretty full.
I have read some of the earlier posts and it seems there is a filter in the bottom of the reservoir. If this filter is clogged could it produce this problem?

Thanks Mucho.
And to some of you, 35 seems like a warm day. And it was tuff. I had to drive my wife's 400hp 300zx tt to work.

VVT-i

If the screen or the filter clogged up it will give you this problem. Try to remove the reseroir and clean up the screen/filter. Make sure you check for any power steering fluid leaks from the PS pump and high pressure line.

centexgem

I re-installed the reservoir/filter. I filled it then turned the steering lock right to lock left, holding it there for 3 seconds each time, for about 10 times and we still have noise. With the car still running, I removed the reservoir cap and there is foamy fluid surging/pulsing about ever two seconds. There is fluid directly under the reservoir which I had attributed to overflow but now I suspect it may be a hose leak.
Next question: For this foaming action, wouldn't the leak have to be on the low pressure side of the system? It must be sucking air somewhere and a leak on the high pressure side would just blow fluid everywhere emptying the system.

Thanks in advance for your answers. I just want to make sure I am going in the right direction before I take off a lot of expensive stuff without cause.

MeehSoFly

Try draining out your old ps fluid and use lucas ps fluid from oriley autoparts. It will cost you 7.00
and that stuff works like magic. I had a similar problem of when it gets cold, my pwr steering
would make noise. But itz because it was low and I failed to open cap to check it, so I bought that Lucas Power Steering Fluid and filled it up to the hot cold line and instantly...no more squealing, squeaks, or noise. Best stuff ever!!

centexgem

So the leak was coming from the back of the PS pump. A little hard to see or reach. I think the high pressure hose fitting is leaking. This is called a banjo type fitting and has a double ring copper seal/washer to seal the bolt which passes through the fitting. I got under the car and removed the banjo fitting and put some gasket seal on the copper seal/washers then replaced it. This seems to have stopped the fluid foaming. However I still have a small leak of fluid on the floor. I checked with a couple of auto parts houses and they said the copper seals were a Lexus dealer item only.
Does anyone know where I could get these seals other than Lexus? Not that I am that cheap but the Lexus dealer is a couple of hours round trip from where I live. I would guess Toyota would use the same seals.

VVT-i

You can order it online from Carsontoyota, one of our vendor with a very good customer service.

centexgem

The local Toyota dealer had it for $4 and they knew exactly the part when I said banjo fitting.