Is it OK to drive with a leaking power steering pump?

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Before driving your car with any sort of fluid leak, it's critical to understand the possible consequences. While some small leaks aren't a concern, some fluid leaks can quickly create damage to your car that can require costly repair or replacement.

When it comes to leaking power steering fluid, in certain cases you can continue to drive until you can repair the leak and replace the fluid, but you need to pay close attention. We have put together this list of guidelines to help you avoid damage and get your power steering leak fixed quickly and affordably.

What Can Happen?

While a small power steering fluid leak won't put your car off the road, it is very important to treat your leak quickly. There are several reasons for this:

• A small leak rarely stays a small leak. Your power steering fluid is obviously not meant to leak. That means if there is a leak, you have the beginning of a problem. A few drops of power steering fluid on the ground are not a reason to panic, but know that once a leak starts, it almost always gets worse over time. When your leak is due to a small crack in a hose, for example, if the crack gets bigger, you can quickly lose all your fluid in a short time.
• A loss of power steering fluid affects the drivability of your vehicle. While some (much) older cars don't have power steering, that's not the same as driving a car equipped with power steering but no fluid. When your power steering fluid leaks out, your power steering rack will not function properly and steering effort is greatly increased. This is especially pronounced at low speeds and can make steering extremely difficult. Your vehicle's instruction manual will outline the dangers of driving with no power steering fluid.
• Driving your car for extended periods without power steering fluid can damage the pump. While there's nothing that physically stops you from driving your car if you have a power steering fluid leak, once the level drops, your pump runs dry. This causes increased friction and heat and can quickly cause expensive damage. If you need to drive your car with no power steering fluid, try to avoid extreme turns to the left or right, and replace your fluid as soon as possible.

A power steering fluid leak isn't going to leave you stranded on the side of the road, but it still needs to be taken care of quickly. At the first sign of a leak ' either power steering fluid on the ground or a low level in the reservoir ' pick up one of our Bar's Leaks power steering leak repair products and stop your leak before it becomes a major one.

We've been in the business of stopping leaks for over 60 years and have proven formulations designed specifically for your power steering fluid circuit. We guarantee your satisfaction and are confident we can stop your power steering fluid leak quickly and affordably.

Questions? We have answers. Hit us up on Facebook, or contact our support team directly. We'll help with you with any concerns you might have.

When it comes to a power steering fluid leak, make sure to drive your car unless you get to the nearest station for replacing the fluid and getting the repair done. 

The power steering fluid leak won't leave you helpless on the side of the road. However, if this leakage problem is not handled timely, it can also wreck the car, causing its repair to be more expensive than you imagined.

Now the question arises, for how many miles a person can drive with the leaking power steering fluid? To get the answer, let's continue reading it.

What Is Power Steering Fluid?

You may wonder why is my power steering fluid leaking and urge to know the answer right away. But before going to know the reasons for a leaking power steering pump and how long you can drive with a power steering fluid leak, let's find out what is power steering fluid.

Power steering fluid is hugely important to the performance and life of your car. It's what keeps things smooth and streamlined on the road. Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid that transmits the power in your steering system. 

In detail, it helps create the pressure that pushes on either side of your car's rack-mounted piston, allowing you to turn the wheels with ease. 

Since the majority of cars today use power-assisted steering (PAS) systems, this fluid is essential for smooth steering.

Power Steering Fluid Leak: Top 4 Reasons To Be Cautious Of

To understand the power steering fluid leak issue, you must first know what causes this problem. There are many ways for your car leaking power steering fluid, but we will just list out the most common 4 factors:

Power Steering Pump

One of the most popular spots for a leak is the power steering pump. It is usually because of the worn seal around the pump shaft, which creates a source of leaks.

Another factor is the pump itself: When the pump creates pressure, it accidentally breaks the pump casing. Since most of them consist of two bolting halves, the joint gasket will leak if it is old or loose.

Hydro Boost Brakes

Hydro boost brakes are, even though quite rare, yet another place to look at if you are checking for a steering fluid leaking. 

On some vehicles, the brake system will combine with the power unit for steering. This sounds like a convenient plan, yet there will be several components and hoses that divide the power from one system to another. 

And yes you are correct, each hose, especially the seal, and gasket, can develop leaks.

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Power Steering Hoses

This is without a doubt the most common part to check when your vehicle has leaking power steering fluid. 

The power steering system has a pressure hose and a return hose. A pressure hose will lead from the steering box to the power steering pump, while a return hose will connect the gearbox to the reservoir.

In many cases, the hoses can form a crack and make the steering wheel fluid leak if the connection or seal is loose. This will lead to a disconnection between the steering system components and the hoses.

Steering Gear Housing

Last but not least, steering gear housing. It also depends on which type of power steering system, yet the mechanism is usually housed in the steering gear housing or within the rack housing. 

And both of them can cause leaks. If the seals for the power assist piston are worn or old, they can leak easily.

Miles to Drive With Leaking Power Steering Fluid

Knowing how long one can drive is equally important as understanding the consequences of driving with a power steering fluid leak. 

In this regard, there is no doubt that you can cover miles with the fluid in the power steering pump, even if it's leaking. However, the situation can get worse damaging the pump, if there is no fluid in it.

To know more about this issue, explore the following list to keep you on the road.

Traveling Distance with Badly Power Steering Fluid Leak

In this case, topping off the fluid is necessary every time you cover a few miles as it keeps you driving indefinitely.

For instance, 14o z of fluid is added into the pump to drive for approximately 400 miles. However, if the level of the power steering fluid leak is not examined timely, it can drain completely.

Thus, leading to the more dangerous problem associated with the power steering rack.

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Once your car has leaking power steering fluid, it makes the driver feel as if the power steering has locked up. To add on, the noise from under the hood can also be heard while steering.

Furthermore, on curve or sharp bend roads, the power steering won't respond well making it even more difficult to drive, especially in the mountainous area.

Traveling Distance Without Fluid In Power Steering Pump

Operating with a power steering pump that has no fluid in it can likely cause the pump failure in a few minutes only. One won't be able to cover even the first hundred miles with a dried power steering pump.

Without the fluid, the power steering pump or rack can overheat leading to complete failure of the system. In addition to it, the serpentine belt would also seize by either snapping or coming off. 

This will result in the loss of the alternator and water pump, too. And, if it's not repaired timely, the head gasket can also break down.

What Can Happen If You Continuously Drive Your Car With Power Steering Fluid Leak

If you know your car has a problem that is a power steering fluid leak, there are some consequences that a power steering fluid leak causes to your car.

1. Wrecking the car

You lose power steering and you are not accustomed to driving without power steering. You may wreck your car.

It's like your steering just locked up when it happens for the first time and if you happen to be in a curve you may not react well to it. 

The percentage that you will be in a curve because a turned steering wheel is what will trigger this failure is high. This is especially pronounced at low speeds and can make steering extremely difficult. 

Your vehicle's instruction manual will outline the dangers of driving with no power steering fluid.

2. Losing power brakes

Since each model and brand is different, in some cars, when it loses the power steering, it also means losing the power brakes. They are still operable, but you will need to apply a lot more pressure on them. 

3. Damaging the pump

The pump will be damaged if you continuously drive your car with a power steering fluid leak. Because the level of fluid is going to reduce gradually until finished, and your pump runs dry. 

This causes increased friction and heat and can quickly cause expensive damage. If you need to drive your car with no power steering fluid, try to avoid extreme turns to the left or right, and replace your fluid as soon as possible.

4. Overheating

The next consequence of no power steering fluid is overheating that additionally acts as a coolant for that system is either your power steering pump or your steering rack.

How To Fix The Power Steering Fluid Leak?

Now you know the reason why the power steering fluid leaks and the consequence of driving a car with a power steering fluid leak. 

So how to fix power steering leaks? Yes, you should find where the leak is and fix it. There are 3 possible leaking places that you may find in your car.

1. Steering gear or rack

It is the most common location of a car leaking power steering fluid because the seals here are subject to the most road grime and dirt that can wear the shafts and seals. 

The leak in the steering gear will be on the top of the gear where the steering column enters or at the bottom where the pitman's arm is attached. 

Another leak place is where the tie rods connect to the rack which causes power steering fluid leaking fast if your car is equipped with a steering rack. 

If your car leaks here, you can use some power steering stop leak product. There are many different products in the market so go forward for one and fix your steering gear and rack.

2. Power steering pump

The leak would be at the point where the pump shaft exits the pump body and is connected to the pulley.

If you find a leak here, you will also find fluid dripping from behind the pump pulley. What you can do or the best thing you can do in this case is replace your power steering pump. 

This is usually a relatively inexpensive maintenance item and these leaks can indicate future problems like bearing or pump failures.

3. The hose or tubing

If the leak is not in the power steering pump, then you should check the hose and the tubing that carries the power steering fluid from the pump to your steering gear or rack.  

Where a rubber hose transitions to a hard line or where a hard line screws into the rack or pump are the most common. 

Many power steering systems are using a long hard pipe in the return line placed towards the front of your vehicle as a type of cooling system. It makes sure to inspect the full length of the hose and pipe. 

So if you find a leak here, you can try tightening the connection or adding Teflon tape to the threads being careful not to let any tape enter the system. 

But for a long time, we recommend you replace any leaked hose or tubing.

What Is The Cost To Repair Power Steering Leak?

In addition, you should be aware of the added-up cost of power steering leak repair. Repairing a power steering fluid leak often costs between $500 and $650. 

The actual cost will be determined by the individual pieces that are failing. You may simply need to replace one component or the complete system. 

Final Words

Leaking power steering fluid sometimes means losing the power steering and subsequently, the power brakes. However, as a driver, you can use brakes but this time, you will need to apply more force to them. 

Finally, after knowing all about the failures caused due to the power steering fluid leak, the best thing you can do is take your car to the nearest service station for maintenance in case you do not know how to fix it by yourself.

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