Escape's PS took a leak

[wander2039]

And a big one it was. All of the PS fluid has leaked out of the reservoir and probably the pump. It did it overnight so it hasn't been driven. This would be the first major repair so I'm not complaining but there has been no signs that the PS was going bad. Virtually quiet which is rare for Ford PS pumps. Fluid changes with MV/synthetics/Lubeguard has been done on the regular basis and has a filter.

I have yet to trace the leak as it's 100 degrees out and really doesn't need to be driven. Any thoughts? I'm thinking maybe the filter clogged up and blew a seal.. although would of thought it would of made some noise. It could of been leaking for some time since I didn't think to check it and I thought it was a oil leak, again no noises though! Looks like a major job to replace it.

 

[Bluestream]

Could be a split hose or anything. Mine had a seal go out at the pump shaft. Part cost $10. I bought a used pump for $40 until I got the seal and made the repair. Used pump worked so well I left in on, and now I have a spare

 

[wander2039]

I always plan for the worse it's a flaw I have. I originally didn't see the rebuild kits $20 online $40 through OReillys. Pumps are around 70-90 it looks like.

 

[Steve S]

Get some oil and fill the ps up and look at where the oil is going before anything.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I agree with Steve, but I would clean the area around the power steering pump, reservoir, hose, rack ... so that the leak can be detected easily.

 

[nepadriver]

Just happened on our 03 Escape. It was a hose, on back order for 1 month. They did a rig job by cutting near the leak and reattachng (near joint).

Check the hose closer to windshield.

 

[wander2039]

You mean the hose on top.. I think it's a inch? Has a good sized crack. Talk about bean counters at work. With a elbow and little more hose the leak never would of happened. I think I can fix it with some universal hose shouldn't be too hard.

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: nepadriver
Just happened on our 03 Escape. It was a hose, on back order for 1 month. They did a rig job by cutting near the leak and reattachng (near joint).

Check the hose closer to windshield.


We have had one of the hoses for these that comes directly off the pump and connects to a line on backorder for 3 months for an outside shop. Ford's ETA off of B/O date is 11/11/2021.

 

[nepadriver]

Yeah the top hose, and wow 3 months. I checked earlier tonight, the rig job seems to have stopped the leak and the grind pump noise is gone. Put a lot of Valvoline Dex/Merc Transmission fluid in over the week before they looked at it, street is a mess!

If the back order is that bad, obviously this is common. Wonder if heat has accelrated the issue.

 

[bdcardinal]

They claim the reason for the backorder is a vendor issue. We have seen a lot of parts on backorder due to vendors going out of business. I guess having 2 of their 3 big customers go bankrupt and not pay their bills hurt business.

 

[wander2039]

Originally Posted By: nepadriver
Yeah the top hose, and wow 3 months. I checked earlier tonight, the rig job seems to have stopped the leak and the grind pump noise is gone. Put a lot of Valvoline Dex/Merc Transmission fluid in over the week before they looked at it, street is a mess!

If the back order is that bad, obviously this is common. Wonder if heat has accelrated the issue.


Yeah our parking spots were just starting to get cleaned up due to the now fixed oil leaks from the other cars. If I have time tomorrow after fixing that hose and change the ps filter, replacing the trans filter and pulling the plug I'm going to check other hoses un-natural positions. In that engine won't be a easy task.

 

[wander2039]

$4 worth of hose, one elbow I already had, 2 hose clamps already had and replaced the filter I had on it for almost 30k. Fixed it better than stock. Less than $15 to fix. Shouldn't have anymore PS problems.

 

[nepadriver]

Originally Posted By: Eric Smith
$4 worth of hose, one elbow I already had, 2 hose clamps already had and replaced the filter I had on it for almost 30k. Fixed it better than stock. Less than $15 to fix. Shouldn't have anymore PS problems.


Can you snap a picture?

 

[wander2039]

Probably a brass elbow would of been better but I already had this one. All of the stock elbows are plastic so different I guess.

 

[wander2039]

Since this pops up in a google search figured I'd revive this for a moment. The actual part number for the replacement hose is YL8Z-3691-BA but it may be on back order. YL8Z-3691-AA can also be trimmed back as it's for the 4 cylinder but it'll work also. Apparently alot of these are leaking but companies like Gates etc hasn't caught on. I did send them a email asking why but I don't expect a response. The hose I used there ended up didn't work as it's a cooling hose even though I asked specifically for ps hose. I got some hydraulic hose but it's way to stiff and leaks around the pump fitting. So I'm still working on it but for now I'm using a combo of hydraulic hose and the factory hose.

 

[wander2039]

Fixed I think. Got some silicone hose from Napa that's for everything $5ish a foot and made in the USA.. even the fuel filter was made in USA. Same size as the hydraulic hose but more flexible. I had to use the worm clamps as the spring clamps are too small. Really the 3/4 of this hose seems to big 5/8 might be better.

 

[nepadriver]

Figured I'd check in, how are your hoses holding up? Still using original here, minus the section cutoff. Also, why is everything so wet in your picture? Did it rain ?

 

[artificialist]

If you continue to have problems, I recommend taking a hose to a hydraulic parts company, and get them to build a new one. It would probably cost between $100 and $150.

 

[wander2039]

Still holding up mostly. I think there's a small leak but can't tell if it's motor oil or ps fluid. Neither one is losing from what I can tell. That's mostly due to the factory hoses being a odd size. I attempted to wash off all the power steering fluid hence the wetness. I DO NOT recommend going to a hydraulic hose. It's way to stiff and you could break the nipple of the reservoir.