Power steering fluid foaming from res.

[Chronuss]

I can't post in the actual technical forum, so I'll post this here. So, since it's been getting colder, every now and again when I start the Honda, power steering fluid will foam out of the resevoir. I've tried Honda power steering fluid, additives and stop leaks. Nothing helps. It doesn't do it all the time and I can't tell when it will do it again. The resevoir is not cracked, I have no leaks on the hoses. One tech said it was the o rings inside the hoses going to the pump. Can anyone confirm or deny, or tell me what size those particular o rings are?

[oyajicool]

I have read it some place else, that bad O-ring allow air to sucked into the power steering pump, suction line from reservoir. Honda had issued Service Bulletin on it,,,,,but which model year????

Since air is sucked in, it forms up. External leak would occur after engine shut down.

It could have been another Accord forum .......

[red07frontier]

First off do not use any fluid other than Honda/Acura spec fluid. Don't use stop leaks as they are mostly not rated for use in Honda vehicles.

When you fill it up run it for a bit with the cap off and turn the wheel lock to lock a few times to aerate the system. This will let any air in the lines escape.

Most likely cause though is the power steering pump building to much pressure. It's not really common though so if you suspect it's the pump try a junkyard one and bleed it as I mentioned above.

[red07frontier]

Do you see a leak? If air can get in then fluid can get out. Even the return portion is under a small bit of pressure.

[604CB7]

I'm curious to know the solution to this as I had a friend who this happened to and we're still trying to figure it out... it happened once but not since then... maybe just a bit of air that needed to get out... who knows...

[TypeG]

it's a pump problem usually. later.

[carol93]

i woke up 2day and saw power streering puddle under the front of my car? this cold wheather is really screwing up my car?/

[GeoffM]

Had this exact problem with my brothers 94 Cutlass sierra. The pump was very loud in the summer and would frequently run out of P/S fluid. After months of refilling it he finally took it to the shop for a diagnosis. New steering Rack. He waited a few more weeks ($500), a day or so before he was supposed to take it in we dropped to like 18 degrees. There was a big foamy puddle under the car and the fluid left in the reservoir was foamy as well. So my guess is your rack.

Calling around and seeing who has free diagnosis can never hurt. It's how I confirmed my master cylinder was bad.

[Chronuss]

It only does this in cold weather, never during warm or hot weather. None of the lines have leaks nor are there any leaks around the resevoir as the when I put fluid in, the level stays constant. It only foams out and leaves horrendous puddles on the ground in my driveway.

[bcjammerx]

you can use regular ps fluid for imports...save some cash


any way sounds like you gotta leak. I have the SAME problem and I'm prettty sure I have a leak on the high side

[carol93]

same thing with mine great in the warm weather, and bad in the cold, i'm just going to keep topping it off becouse i cant c the leak anywhere either?

[fromthe864]

Did you find out what the problem was? I was experiencing leaking and foam but found clamps on each end of a hose that were loose. I tightened them and the leaking has stopped but I am still getting foam in the reservoir after driving. I'm thinking it might be the an o-ring on the pump. Was this the case with yours?

[wildBill83]

Did you use Honda compatible ps fluid?

[fromthe864]

Did you use Honda compatible ps fluid?

Yes, I have always used Honda compatible fluid.

[wildBill83]

Try a drain and refill, if bubbles persist you have a failing pump seal.