Power Steering Fluid Spraying All Over Engine

[sdkar]

Hey Guys,

My power steering pump seems to be spraying fluid all over my engine coming from the spout vent hole in the resevoir cap.  What is causing this?  I have a cap that doesn't have a vent hole...can I use this or does the pump need the vent hole?  Any suggestions other than using the ventless cap?  I'm assuming GM put a vent in the cap for a reason but surely they did not intend it to spray steering fluid everywhere. 

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,

Steve

[z10kl]

Maybe you have a restriction in the line. It is a pump. If it is pumping a greater volume than can flow it will follow the path of least resistance.

[tmodel66]

Did it just start or is this a new pump? If it's an old pump the check valve may have a piece of trash in it or a spring broke inside the pump. These things work just like a valve body does. Bypass valve may be stuck. Several little things can be wrong.

[sdkar]

It is my origina pump, but new lines and a rebuild steering box.

[tmodel66]

I would say something in the valve body is maybe stuck, wrong tension spring used or maybe an "O" ring slipped and letting pressure by-pass. I'm gonna say your going to have to go back thru the box. It's definitely in the box something restricting flow and causing back pressure or letting the pressure go on by.

Read this article about increasing flow. This might be "part" of your problem. It's a little past half way down the page.

http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_steering.htm#PS%20swap%20parts%20required

[Mike S]

Or maybe an internally collapsed hose, if they are old.
Sort of like how it can (and does) happen with brake hoses causing brakes to lock closed.

Mike