Car Talk!

[nickslick74]

JB worked good fo me on a fuel line leak I had years ago. Wasn't the best solution, but it worked.

[SoloCamo]

Well here's the game plan for tomorrow:

1) Get as much fluid out as I can from the reservoir

2) clean it off extremely well

3) let it completely dry

4) apply JB weld and let it sit for a few hours before starting and checking for leaks

Anything i'm missing?

[RobRich]

Looks like a decent game plan. Make sure to spend a little extra time on cleaning. You need a well prepared surface for most any epoxy to work, especially on plastics.

[SoloCamo]

Do you think it'd be best to rough up the somewhat smooth surface with sandpaper?

[RobRich]

Probably wouldn't hurt. More surface area to which to adhere.

[SoloCamo]

UPDATE:

Well I'll tell you one thing, that JB weld is some messy stuff to work with. Thankfully I picked up some rubber gloves!

There was actually quite a large crack across the side of the reservoir that I never noticed, and apparently the mechanics didn't either. After using the turkey baster (thanks RR) to pull out as much old fluid as I could I cleaned off the surfaces as best I could and let dry. I then mixed the JB weld and applied it to the cracks and along side the entire reservoir covering as much surface area as possible as preventive maintenance. I also went along the seals to cover those. The hard plastic tube that the hose attaches to also had a minor crack on it where it meets the reservoir so I covered that up as much as possible.

At this point I'm letting it sit and dry overnight.

First thing in the morning I will fill it up the new power steering fluid and check for drips. Then I'll run it and check again. I was just wondering since I pretty much emptied the reservoir if there was anything I needed to do before I filled it up. I'm sure there is going to be air trapped in their as that's pretty much unavoidable, so is there a why to burp it? Or is just locking the wheel side to a few times a good way to get it as previously suggested?

Honestly, I don't think what I've done will stop every leak as it was in worse condition then previously anticipated, however I'm hoping it slows it down to the point of not having to check it every day or so.

Thanks for all the help again guys, and I'll hopefully have good news in the morning

[RedFury]

Sounds like the reservoir is toast. Short of removing the pump and either getting it off without breaking it, or cleaning the heck out of it ( I'm still surprised it is made out of plastic ) I think you should look into a replacement. They make a liquid formula that can seal it from the inside by sloshing it around while it is dry and then letting the solution dry, but I don't think that would work too well in a PS pump without using it with the plastic reservoir off the pump...probably would clog up something in the pump itself.

[RobRich]

Gloves were a good idea. JB Weld is not exactly the easiest and cleaneast epoxy to use.

[Bizkitkid2001]

edit: wrong thread.

[Bizkitkid2001]

edit: wrong thread.