Power steering lost prime after sitting for 2 weeks?

[The motor guy]

So I hop in my other truck since its been a couple weeks since I drove it. Sounded like the power steering pump was cavitating. Heard a horrible noise hitting either the brakes or turning the steering wheel. This is a hydro boost system, so the brakes and steering are kind of connected. I did just install a new seal kit on the hydro boost and that stopped that from leaking. That stopped that from leaking. Why would it lose prime when sitting if I fixed the leaks? I think the steering box leaks just a tad still, but nothing like what that hydro boost pump was leaking.

 

[crashz]

Was the reservoir empty? Its usually above the pump so its rarely starved of fluid unless empty or a clog.

 

[The motor guy]

Was the reservoir empty? Its usually above the pump so its rarely starved of fluid unless empty or a clog.

No it was at the low/cold mark. It might be now that I started it. It didn't stop making the noise so I shut it off. It was definitly ducking air though because the fluid in the reservoir was all bubbles

 

[JohnnyG]

Since it was sucking air the pump was likely cavitating. Hydraulics don't work well if air is entrained, which makes it compressible.
Think FOAM.

 

[The motor guy]

Since it was sucking air the pump was likely cavitating. Hydraulics don't work well if air is entrained, which makes it compressible.
Think FOAM.

I guess i need to add some fluid then. I sure miss concrete driveways. Easy to see any leaks

 

[The motor guy]

I guess i need to add some fluid then. I sure miss concrete driveways. Easy to see any leaks

We're back in business. Maybe it was a little low the last time I drove it and forgot it was time to add some. Guess I need to work on replacing that steering box now. Or figure out how to go about that. It sure would be nice to have a lift. I thought i was good once I got that hydro boost sealed. Now its just a few dime sized drops whenever I stop somewhere vs a puddle like before.

 

[The motor guy]

Still doing the same thing. I guess resealing the hydro boost probably blew out a seal somewhere else too. Strange though becaise I drove the truck for like 2 weeks after fixing it and didn't notice any puddles on the ground. Steering box is worn, so going to replace that next

 

[The motor guy]

I crawled under there and I can see the power steering pump is dripping now. Explains why its out of fluid if it sits for a week or so. Right out the bottom of the reservoir

 

[The motor guy]

Was the reservoir empty? Its usually above the pump so its rarely starved of fluid unless empty or a clog.

Yes. The leak is at the reservoir.

 

[The motor guy]

I crawled under there and I can see the power steering pump is dripping now. Explains why its out of fluid if it sits for a week or so. Right out the bottom of the reservoir

With that being said, what typically leaks on the pump? Was going to swap the pump out yesterdayz then decided to put one of those big concrete mixing tubs under the truck to catch the leaks. Seems like the leak increases as it cools down. Leaked a whole lot more overnight from 11pm-9am then it did from 2pm to 11pm. Probably wasnt even a 1/4 of an ounce from 2pm-11pm and overnight it literally emptied the reservoir which is like 5oz maybe?