tmst

Hi. This is my first post on this forum. I have a '99 Civic I call the Black Stallion. I've taken somewhat meticulous care of it over the 15 years I've had it, and it has been a very reliable and pleasant beast to own.

It's been a few years since a power fluid swap (turkey baster method), so that's my next maintenance task. Looking over the pump, I noticed some definite leakage. I can't tell whether it's coming from the pump seal or the return (?) line.

Attached are two images of the pump area. Can someone tell where the leak is most likely coming from? Thank you for any help.

mac25

Probably the ps pump gaskets

tmst

Thanks, Certainly looks that way, doesn't it? As well as a possible hose connection...

ezone

It took 16 years to make a STAIN? Don't spend money yet....
Clean it off and see how long it takes to make more stains.

tmst

It turns out that, while there is almost certainly a leak inside the pump, there is probably also a defective O-ring where the line connects with the pump. This is a known issue with Honda and it's easy to find the $10 kit on eBay containing the two O-rings for both lines (in and out).

I think the symptom of the failure of the O-ring is normally air in the system, I'm betting that it can also cause some fluid leakage around the connection.

Also, a leak is most likely deeper inside the pump than where the two halves fit together. This is evidenced by the fact that the leakage is visible all around the seal between the two halves.

FYI: Eric the Car Guy has a nice video ( Honda Power Steering Pump Rebuild 98-02 -EricTheCarGuy - YouTube ) on the pump rebuild. He finally gives up and just gets a new pump. And he's an excellent technician.