Little puddle under steering rack this morning...UPDATE!
10-04-2011, 10:30 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Little puddle under steering rack this morning...UPDATE!
As I walked past the 993 I noticed a small puddle about the size of a dollar bill on my garage floor this morning. Further investigation showed it was oil (slick yellowish) and a drip coming from the driver's side of the steering rack cover (underside).
Considering the low miles but need to replace many rubber and plastic parts, could this be a seal in the steering rack? Wrong location for engine oil leak, correct? (hoses run on passenger side unless I am mistaken)
Anyone else have a similar issue?
All this right before a major outing at the Dragon, so I want to get it taken care of asap and was curous if this is a common or irregular issue.
Thank you in advance.
Considering the low miles but need to replace many rubber and plastic parts, could this be a seal in the steering rack? Wrong location for engine oil leak, correct? (hoses run on passenger side unless I am mistaken)
Anyone else have a similar issue?
All this right before a major outing at the Dragon, so I want to get it taken care of asap and was curous if this is a common or irregular issue.
Thank you in advance.
Last edited by Resident Sicko; 01-21-2012 at 10:00 PM.
10-04-2011, 11:06 AM
#2
Race Director
leaking steering rack is very common.
You can try to rebuild, but it may be easier to replace the whole unit.
I've had good experiences with reman racks from www.carsteering.com, but YMMV. A rack should run about $475 there, without the core charge.
You can try to rebuild, but it may be easier to replace the whole unit.
I've had good experiences with reman racks from www.carsteering.com, but YMMV. A rack should run about $475 there, without the core charge.
10-04-2011, 12:58 PM
#4
Race Director
the brake overflow is right behind the drivers side tire, but yeah, yellow fluid does not sound like pentosin, although I don't believe the C2s requires pentosin in the steering system.
10-04-2011, 01:04 PM
#5
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10-04-2011, 02:36 PM
#8
Race Director
Dextron II ATF was the recommended fluid up until some point in 1996. I believe the recommended fluid for top ups was pentosin. Tons of cars use ATF as powersteering fluid.
that said, OP, crawl under the car and squeeze the rack boots. If fluid pours out, you will know whats up.
that said, OP, crawl under the car and squeeze the rack boots. If fluid pours out, you will know whats up.
10-04-2011, 02:37 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I did not touch the brakes, and had the same thought- I will pull it up on the ramps this weekend and have a look see.
Agreed, that I always thought PS fluid for most cars was red.
Agreed, that I always thought PS fluid for most cars was red.
10-05-2011, 09:39 AM
#11
Rennlist Member
Check out the colour of the fluid in your PS reservoir .... and check the level as well!! 
If the level is down, you've solved half of the equation. Top up if req'd to protect the PS pump from $$$$ destructive cavitation.
Synthetic Petrosin 11S is a light lime green - (now superseded by another number?): I've used a compatable full synthetic that is nearly colourless - Febi/Bilstein S 6161.
If the level is down, you've solved half of the equation. Top up if req'd to protect the PS pump from $$$$ destructive cavitation.
Synthetic Petrosin 11S is a light lime green - (now superseded by another number?): I've used a compatable full synthetic that is nearly colourless - Febi/Bilstein S 6161.
10-05-2011, 01:18 PM
#13
Racer
Dextron II ATF was the recommended fluid up until some point in 1996. I believe the recommended fluid for top ups was pentosin. Tons of cars use ATF as powersteering fluid.
that said, OP, crawl under the car and squeeze the rack boots. If fluid pours out, you will know whats up.
that said, OP, crawl under the car and squeeze the rack boots. If fluid pours out, you will know whats up.
CHF 202 (clear) replaced CHF 11S (green) around 1996 and both can be used to top up if the system still has ATF, AFAIK.
Because I wasn't sure what was in my '95 c2, I got 2 liters of CHF 202, used a 1/4" Nylon line to empty out the reservoir by sucking on it and draining the old dirty fluid into a pan on the floor. Much easier and less messy than the turkey-baster-method. Filled the reservoir with 202, drove it and each time I parked repeated the process all summer. After about 10 times, the 2 liters were used up and I'm confident that there is mostly new clean 202 in the system.
To the best of my knowledge, Pentosin CHF 202 is compatible with whatever is in there. Renewing the fluid is recommended.
10-05-2011, 02:09 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
Yes I fully agree with Quadcammer. Most of the time these racks (a weak point on these 993's) go prematurely and quite a bit of fluid can leak into the boots until it becomes obvious. Unfortunately, they can fail quite abruptly.
I replaced two racks on each of the 993's I've owned, both around 60,000 miles. When each went, they went from what I thought was a slow leak to full failure in a matter of weeks. Probably due to the concealing of fluid in the rack boots over a period of time.
First one I had done; the second I did myself with a rebuilt rack. Not too difficult if you're pretty handy with a wrench.
I replaced two racks on each of the 993's I've owned, both around 60,000 miles. When each went, they went from what I thought was a slow leak to full failure in a matter of weeks. Probably due to the concealing of fluid in the rack boots over a period of time.
First one I had done; the second I did myself with a rebuilt rack. Not too difficult if you're pretty handy with a wrench.
10-05-2011, 02:18 PM
#15
Racer
I wonder about Porsche sometimes in comparison to my old Volvo 240 with 300.000 km, still the same original rack, engine, synchros..............no problems.
Or my Honda with 200.000 km, same original rack, engine, synchros................Hmm.................
Or my Honda with 200.000 km, same original rack, engine, synchros................Hmm.................