2000 dodge durango power steering leak

[grease_monkey]

I own a 2000 durango and i have one [censored] of a power steering leak. The problem is I can't pin point it! I steamed off the whole undercarriage of the truck, and the engine. I added some flourescent dye to the system. I ran it until the fluid got hot, but could not visually see exactly where it is coming from. I can tell you it is not the rack (rack and pinion)because that is dry. I shined a black light down there and still couldn't distinguish where the leak is coming from because the whole area was covered in power steering oil. I know for a fact there is a leak and on the ground it looks to be near the pump, but i cant see any coming out! I am constantly havingto add fluid about once a week. My oh my this is annoying.

I researched this issue online and appearently this is a common problem with the durangos and dakotas from 1998 to 2003. The only problem is all these other guys either had racks that were leaking, or defective clamps. The rack on mine is dry, and all the fittings appear to be in good health. Any ideas

your help is much appreciated.

 

[rshunter]

I had a similar problem with my Honda Prelude, twice. Both times it was being misted from a very small hole in a hose. The leak was never such that it would simply drip down the hose, it just fogged the engine bay...

 

[tomcat27]

normally the leak is at a hose to metal connection; or the front seal on the pump. it may also only leak under pressure, have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you watch from below. of course, ensure all safety precautions: parking brake on, wheels chocked, that you are away from the wheel travel, etc.

 

[grease_monkey]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
normally the leak is at a hose to metal connection; or the front seal on the pump. it may also only leak under pressure, have someone turn the wheel back and forth while you watch from below. of course, ensure all safety precautions: parking brake on, wheels chocked, that you are away from the wheel travel, etc.
had my dad turn the wheel a few times while the unit was hot, but looking at it right now, it does look as if it is coming from the pump because now the oil filter is wet. The oil filter is underneath the ps pump. Chances are you are right about the front seal on the pump.

 

[lipadj46]

Some people have luck splitting open pumps, cleaning the mating surfaces and resealing them with a gasket maker of some sort. The pumps on my truck are expensive so i just replaced it with a used pump when it started to leak, problem solved.

 

[dakota99]

The oil filter is below the PS pump?? What kind of engine is in that durango?

EDIT- nvm wow, i forgot the 00' came with the 4.7L option. tooo long of a day lol.

 

[Not the Autorx Frank]

ARX

 

[Gary Allan]

Do that one more time ..and no one is going to believe your username

 

[grease_monkey]

Here's an update, I used pyroil power steering stop leak just for the heck of it. Early before I left for work I added the stop leak, and saturated the area with brake cleaner to clean up the oily mess. Drove the truck to and from work, and re checked No leak at this time.

 

[Colt45ws]

On my step-moms 04 Ram (4.7), I found it had a pretty bad PS leak from the return hose from the rack to the cooler. I found they used a constant-tension spring clamp on the cooler end, but a pinch clamp (one-use) on the rack side. After so many years it just was not clamping at all. I cut it, pulled the hose off and installed a worm drive clamp. Done|