power stearing
Asked by Cowgirl123 May 06, 2009 at 11:16 AM about the 1997 Lexus SC
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
The car leaks power steering fluid. I’m now adding power steering fluid once per week, about a half pint, but if I don’t, the car “whines.”
2 Answers
Replace the power steering pump. If the fluid is leaking from the pump it can ruin the alternator just below it. Then you have to replace both.
Check the lines first. The SC300 is notorious for leaking where the main line connects to the PS pump. I don't know if it is a RHD or LHD or if it would matter, but in my LHD, the PS pump will not leak onto the alternator as it is on the opposite side of the engine. That is, however, a common problem in the SC400. In the SC300, the thing to look out for on the alternator is a bad distributer O-ring leaking oil into the alternator and ruining it. (learned that one the hard way)