FAQ

...should I be able to see a few wet spots on the ground right underneath the pumps? The catalytic converter rattles a little bit, I hesitate to spend $800 to replace it because the van is a 92 Ford Aerostar. The mechanic offers to remove it for $350. He said he can put a pipe there as long as I don't take it to any place that has mandatory emission control test. If I do that, will it affect the onboard computer for diagnostic function?

manic

yanking the converter out will probably help you. 350 sounds steep,
but thats up to you. If the power steering pump is leaking you would
expect to see fluid on the ground,or on the engine somewhere. But
if the water pump has a problem it may be blowing water out of the
diaphram when its running, but you would see residual water and the
van overheating. Make sure that your mechanic is reputable, probably
misspelled that, sounds kind of flakey from here.

FAQ

Thanks for the insight. $350 is steep and I thought so too. The van was in for insurance inspection. Everything was fine and he mentioned about the leaks. Each costs about $400 to fix (parts and labor). But I see nothing on the ground and the van is not overheating according to the gauge. As a matteer of fact, the van is running on the cool side of the temperature gauge within the safe zone. It used to be in the middle when the van was new or does it matter?

manic

Probably the thermostat varying from time to time, that mechanic
sounds like a crook.

FAQ

Thanks. I think I wait until I see wet spot on the ground. For the converter, I'll wait as well until it goes. Perhaps, by that time the van is ready for the junk yard. :)

manic

On some of those converters you could take a piece of re-bar, ram
it in there tearing up the guts of it problem solved. But if its just
rattling its probably just loose. Go to a mom and pop muffler shop
and ask them what they would charge to remove it, if they will
do it probably no more then 100 bucks.

FAQ

Thanks again. I'll ask about removing the converter next time the van is in the shop. Definitely it'll not be the same shop I was before. :)

qldit

Good Morning FAQ, re your mention of the steering pump / system leakage.

It is common for aging power steering systems to develop minor leakage, usually the steering ram but also from time to time the pump.

Generally these kinds of minor leakage are caused by the "O" rings or other seals becoming hard and inflexible from age etc.

This kind of thing also happens in automatic transmissions.

I have found that adding "seal conditioner" which is a special petroleum based substance to both these kinds of systems can be extremely helpful.
It has an ability to soften seal component surfaces and can be very useful.

This stuff is generally available at auto-supermarkets, ensure you read the destructions on the container.

Avoid allowing the steering to hit the limits from either side when turning, there is a higer pressure in the system when steering ram overshoot happens which may promote leakage.

I was considering placing 10,000 volt electrodes on the steering wheel of my wife's car to shock her when the limits are reached, to try to assist her driving technique!

Cheers, qldit.

manic

Trans-x is a product that is very good in conditioning those o rings, or
other rubber components. Not a big fan of additives, but this one
actually works.

qldit

Good Morning manic, yes it is quite amazing stuff, I was also dubious about first using it but it has saved a lot work and expense for many cases where I have used it.

One woman was needing to virtually refill her steering reservoir on a weekly basis and it left a puddle everywhere she parked, I put some in the system and instructed her not to allow the steering to hit the stops and within a week or so the problem diminised substantially and after a couple of weeks there was no leakage at all.

I think of all the additives that are available, that one is well worth knowing about, especially for auto-transmissions where shifts are slow or problematic in older vehicles.

I haven't experienced any ill-effects to systems at all from using it.

Certainly shows someone is thinking out there!

Cheers, qldit.

FAQ

Thank you, guys. I'll look for Trans-x or something similar tomorrow. Can I use a towel to soak up the old power steering fluid so I can put more new stuff in?

qldit

Good Afternoon FAQ, it is only an additive and usually doesn't need all that much, but if you need to you might find using a piece of plastic tubing and simply siphen some excess out of the reservoir. (A piece a metre long is ideal)

I have a massive plastic syringe type tool I use, but it is not really needed.

I am not keen on the idea of allowing any lint type material access to the reservoir.

Cheers, qldit.

FAQ

Ok, Thanks qldit.