Thread: Dry Power Steering Pump Life?

how badly is the leak?

I would have thought that it wouldn't be that bad, that in 500klms it'd lose all it's fluid.

When my original pump started leaking, I could easily drive around(town) for a couple of months and fluid level would end up about half way.

I bought a cheapie Chinese pump off ebay for less than $100, fitted that with the idea to get the original pump rebuilt.
Chinesium unit lasted about 2 years(just under 50K klms) .. as I'd have expected it too .. but it kept me going, as my D1 was my daily at the time.
I'd say get yourself a lt of red fluid, top it up .. drive a 100k's .. check level .. etc.

My D2 has a failed bottom seal too. I clean it up every now and then .. but fluid level doesn't really drop much.
I did top it up once in the 10K klms I've now had the D2 for .. PS fluid is still fine.

Varies. Had a rodeo ute, I rarely drove it but missus drove it every day. I jumped in to move it one day, now power steering….. blown hose. Asked how long it had been like that, and she told me 2-3 weeks. Replaced hose and it was all good till I sold it 300,000km later

If it was me, buy a 4l of cheap engine oil, check and top up as necessary till get home.

But yes, can plumb pump outlet back to the tank and run like that, if you can get the fittings to work for you.

Originally Posted by MKY4740

Have failed a Steering Box seal. Have 500km to home. What's the life of the pump when dry?
Can you close loop the pump?

Why not just buy some fluid and top it up on the way and clean up the mess when you get home..

Originally Posted by Rick1970

If it was me, buy a 4l of cheap engine oil, check and top up as necessary till get home.

I wouldn't

Originally Posted by discorevy

I wouldn't

As opposed to running with it dry?

Try my nephews trick
Add a bit of brake fluid to the power steering fluid, it’s wells the seals
I’d recommend reconditioning the whole system afterwards
He has a vn commodore as a bush bomb, leaked when he bought it, has leaked since he put brake fluid in, 7-8 years ago
Also worked on his mini excavator drive motor seal

Originally Posted by Gav 110

Try my nephews trick
Add a bit of brake fluid to the power steering fluid, it’s wells the seals
I’d recommend reconditioning the whole system afterwards
He has a vn commodore as a bush bomb, leaked when he bought it, has leaked since he put brake fluid in, 7-8 years ago
Also worked on his mini excavator drive motor seal

Have heard of it, but after seeing what brake fluid can do to nitrile hydraulic seals and hoses, wouldn't recommend it long term.

Originally Posted by Rick1970

As opposed to running with it dry?

No, as opposed to topping up with engine oil rather than p/s fluid