Rep Power: 0

First of all I'd like to apologize I'm still fairly beginner to cars in general so I'll do my best to explain my situation.

I've had a problem since tonight with my power steering (Honda Civic Si Veloz 2002) and while I'm fairly certain I know what caused it I don't know what the problem would be. I'm hoping if I can explain the situation a bit maybe someone would be able to lend me some advice as to what might be causing the issue or what to look for.

I was teaching my little sister how to drive today in a school parking lot and as a beginner she had troubles steering/braking smoothly, etc. So I told her it's fine as it's her first time, just don't turn the steering wheel all the way to the left or right for too long as I heard that can damage your power steering pump. However, there may have been instances where her steering was not quite the best, or she may have had it near the locking position for a long enough time to damage something.

After the driving session we parked on my driveway for a bit and then I decided to take it for a test run, only to realize the steering wheel was now a bit stiffer, and harder to turn, however it still turns fine, with no noticeable noises while I do so. I return to my driveway only to realize that there is a leak on my driveway that's a red/brown color (which I'm assuming is the power steering fluid) and when checking under the hood my power steering fluid container (or whatever it's called) is now like half an inch below the minimum line, with the cap and area around it wet, indicating a leakage somewhere.

Would this most likely be a problem with the pump, a hose, or some other problem with the power steering? Should I just re-fill the fluid for now?

Thanks.

 
Rep Power: 0

first try and find where it is leaking from and go from there check the hoses and connections
as far as your story goes it could of been a coincedence unless she was being really hard on it

 
Rep Power: 186

Unless your using a none Honda brand power steering fluid that's red, red/brown fluid on the ground sounds a lot more like transmission fluid.

Honda P/S fluid has a light yellow/brown look to it. I would start the car and take the p/s fluid reservoir cap off. Have someone turn the car off and see if it starts to bubble out of the reservoir. The bubbling and over flow is air be sucked into the system from a leaky hose or o-ring.

It could be coincidence that your looking for a leak because the P/S reservoir is slightly low, but you may have actually found a transmission leak.

If I were you, I'd try to get under the car and take a look around. See what you can see as far a fluids go. And, obviously, you shouldn't see any fluids or wet spots under there if nothing is leaking.

The only wet spot on the ground and on the car you should see is condensation from your A/C if you're running it.

 
Rep Power: 0

OK, I'm sorry I think I might've been a bit color blind during the night, I noticed the leak on my driveway after it had been dried during night, so it may have been a yellow/brown.

I was working on my car earlier that day and always take a quick peek at the fluids (about 2hours before this happened) and it was at the max line. After noticing the steering getting very stiff (but drivable), it was half an inch below min. So I'm pretty certain it is a power steering leak, in fact.

So I experimented with it a bit today, as all mechanics here are closed on Sundays, and I topped it up with Prestone Power Steering fluid and the steering suddenly became normal again, very easy to steer. After driving for about 20-25 minutes the steering became stiff again, however upon checking the power steering fluid it seems like none of it has leaked *yet*. My friend who knows a fair bit about cars took a look and says he felt no leak around the pump, and suspects the solenoid valve as there may be an issue with the pressure of the fluid when the car is heated up.

Any thoughts?

 
Rep Power: 812

i think driving and turning at low speeds may have overheated the fluid and caused it to bubble over? the ps pump works hardest at low speeds like in a parking lot.

 
Rep Power: 0

It may be possible, I've been looking at this with a friend for the past two days and it looks like the leaking has pretty much stopped. I don't know if it was a one-time leak or what...