My power steering pump has always had seepage around the hose that connects to it, but recently I've began to notice small oil puddles on the floor. I'm tring to differentiate between knowing if it is actually power steering fluid or engine oil. I wiped some of it up with my finger and smelled it, and it has virtually no odor, and I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that engine oil has more of an odor to it? I have the GM V6 3.1L and the power steering pump is righ up top on the passenger side. Is this a fairly easy do it yourself job to replace one of these?
Need advice on potential power steering pump
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Is it leaking from the pump or the hose?
You might just need to replace the hose, not the pump.
Yes, used engine oil has an odor. It always smells a bit like gasoline to me.
You might just need to replace the hose, not the pump.
Yes, used engine oil has an odor. It always smells a bit like gasoline to me.
crawl under the car with a flashlight and look straight up from where the oil spot is. Then determine if it is a seal, hose etc. Repair accordingly.
Hard to distinguish as factory fills sometimes use un-died Dexron fluid. Should be easy to tell as if there is a puddle and the P/S sump is less than a QT., you would notice a fairly quick drop on the stick? No year is noted but if you do go in, change the hoses too. Good luck.
I don't know GM's, but my vehicle has an o-ring in the fitting from the pump discharge to the hose. If yours has that o-ring maybe it's bad.
I'd definitely spend some time figuring out exactly where the leak is coming from before replacing anything. Clean the area really well so you can pinpoint the source.
I'd definitely spend some time figuring out exactly where the leak is coming from before replacing anything. Clean the area really well so you can pinpoint the source.
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