1970 Mercury Marquis Power steering

MCARRESE

MEMBER
1970 MERCURY MARQUIS
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
162,000 MILES

Hi - I have a 1970 Marquis. Last time I pulled into the garage (a week or so ago) it was groaning loudly while steering and there was a pretty good amount of pink liquid on the floor near front left tire, below the PS pump. I saw fluid on the bottom of the rubber hose connected to the pump. Fluid level is down a bit. Wiped everything off before I started it up today No leak when idling or driving. Worked the steering wheel back and forth for a while and still nothing - no noise, no leaks.

I recall the PS getting a little noisy before at parking speeds, but did not see any leaks before this recent episode. Any ideas why it would stop leaking on its own?

3 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Seals can leak and when hot swell up and distort the seal service, this can stop the leak for a bit, but it will start to leak again, wash down and drive and work steering and you should start to see the leak weep again, if it has been leaking, it just can't fix it self.

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Saturday, October 24th, 2015 AT 5:17 PM

MCARRESE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

1) Are you talking about the seal in the nut at the end of the high pressure line that attaches to the pump, or some internal seal? If the former, do I have to remove the whole pressure line to do the fix?

2) why would a leak cause so much noise when there is still enough fluid in the system?

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Sunday, October 25th, 2015 AT 6:20 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Leak may be in pump, hoses or rack, often the leak is an internal seal as external seals are really just dust seals, noise will be air trapped in system, or aerated fluid.

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Sunday, October 25th, 2015 AT 1:44 PM