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Topic: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap??? (Read 4 times) previous topic - next topic
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82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Yahoo Message Number: 97630
OK, this will sound dumb, but I could not find an answer in google.
Don't laugh.
 My newly acquired 82 LD has a power steering fluid leak.  The fluid is splattered all over the engine.  I have not been able to locate the exact leak location, so I just keep adding fluid to it.
 Then I noticed something strange.  There is a tiny hole right in the center of the cap, about 1mm in diameter.  The hole is large enough for me to see light at the other end.  The funny thing is that the cap does not look damaged at all?
 Is it normal?  Any one has an 81 to 84 LD?  Can you look at your cap and tell me if there is a hole in the middle?

Many thanks,

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97634
Quote
Is it normal?  Any one has an 81 to 84 LD?  Can you look at your cap and tell me if there is a hole in the middle?
This is normal - the cap is simply protecting the fluid reservoir from contamination, the fluid is not under pressure here. The hole is for venting to atmosphere.

You have Hydroboost - your PS pump powers both the steering and brakes. You could have a leak at any of the hoses, where they connect, or within the seals of the steering gearbox or brake booster. My experience is that the pump itself is typically the culprit, and once the front seal leaks, the spinning pulley will effectively coat anything in the area.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97637
Quote
This is normal - the cap is simply protecting the fluid reservoir from contamination, the fluid is not under pressure here. The hole is for venting to atmosphere.

You have Hydroboost - your PS pump powers both the steering and brakes. You could have a leak at any of the hoses, where they connect, or within the seals of the steering gearbox or brake booster. My experience is that the pump itself is typically the culprit, and once the front seal leaks, the spinning pulley will effectively coat anything in the area.
Thanks, Steve.  I appreciate the extra info on the brakes.  I kind of suspected the same, since the hose goes through the brake master cylinder housing before getting to the steering box.  Anyway, I will look for the leak.  How hard, how expensive is it to replace the pump (should that be the culprit)?

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97638
Quote
Thanks, Steve.  I appreciate the extra info on the brakes.  I kind of suspected the same, since the hose goes through the brake master cylinder housing before getting to the steering box.  Anyway, I will look for the leak.  How hard, how expensive is it to replace the pump (should that be the culprit)?
If you are mechanically inclined and have a good selection of tools, access from underneath isn't too bad. The job goes easier with a good, colorful vocabulary, of course. I don't recall that the part is all that expensive, but make certain it is a hydroboost-compatible model, with pulley for the G-30. It will be vital to follow the correct procedure to bleed all the air from the lines. I thought I had, and while idling to a stop early on a subsequent trip, I lost all boost for brakes and steering until I blipped the throttle. Luckily, the normal driving routine for the rest of that day purged the rest of the air.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97640
Quote
If you are mechanically inclined and have a good selection of tools, access from underneath isn't too bad. The job goes easier with a good, colorful vocabulary, of course. I don't recall that the part is all that expensive, but make certain it is a hydroboost-compatible model, with pulley for the G-30. It will be vital to follow the correct procedure to bleed all the air from the lines. I thought I had, and while idling to a stop early on a subsequent trip, I lost all boost for brakes and steering until I blipped the throttle. Luckily, the normal driving routine for the rest of that day purged the rest of the air.

Steve
Thanks, Steve.  Does not sound bad.  I'll give it a try.  BTW, the pump costs about $80 from autozone with a life time warranty.

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97649
wrote: The job goes easier with a good, colorful vocabulary, of course.
--- Steve, I've found this to be true in pretty much *all* RV maintenance/repair jobs! I have quite a repertoire in two languages, and have found frequent cause to exercise my skills (at considerable volume!) when in/on/under the rig! (-:

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97682
Sam One problem I have had several times is the steel  parts of the pressure lines actually rusting much like brake lines. Of course I live
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97693
Quote

Sam

One problem I have had several times is the steel  parts of the
pressure lines actually rusting much like brake lines. Of course I live in Pa where they salt the roads heaver than they do french fries.

Garry
Thanks, Garry.  I'll look them over.

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97787
An update:

I found the source of the leak.  It's the pressure line from the power steering pump to the housing of the master cylinder.  The rubber portion has a crach it in and spring 2 large holes in it each time the brake is applied.  May be this hose is still original?(26 years old)

Questions:

1) Any one know what the pressure inside the hose is supposed to be,  when the brake is applied?  It must be quite tremendous.  Because my  attempt to bandage it with 3 layers of tightly wound rubber band  (made with 1" wide bicycle rubber tube) could not contain the  pressure.  I have used this bandage method before sucessfully on home  galvanized water pipe where the pressure is quite high, 30psi if I  remember correctly.

2) The GM G-30 van manual say use the proper fluid for the power
 steering reservoir, but does not say what is proper.  I assume it's Power Steering Fluid.  Correct?  Could it be brake fluid?

Thanks,

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97788
Sam, next time use Rescue Tape as it is good for several hundred lbs. Also Power Steering fluid is regular transmission fluid. Used it for years. When you replace the hose tell them what it is for and the guy should give you the high pressure line. Take care, john leach

__
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97790
Quote
Sam, next time use Rescue Tape as it is good for several hundred
lbs. Also Power Steering fluid is regular transmission fluid. Used it for years. When you replace the hose tell them what it is for and the guy should give you the high pressure line. Take care, john leach

 John,

Wow!  Thank you.  I never knew that ATF is the same as PS fluid.
Learning something new everyday!

Thanks too for the info on Rescue Tape.  New to me too.  Have you used it before?  I'm going to give it a try, although I have already ordered the high pressure line.  Where can I buy it?  Walmart? Autozone?  I went to their website (rescuetape.com) but could not find info on retailers.

Sam
Re: Rescue Tape
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97794
wrote: Rescue Tape is something that really ought to be in everybody's "spares & repairs" kit. :-) --- I wasn't familiar with this silicone tape, so I went to the Rescue Tape website for an explanation of its uses and advantages:

http://www.rescuetape.com/

Something else to add to the 'must have' list! ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97797
" I never knew that ATF is the same as PS fluid.
Learning something new everyday!"

Sam

Mercon ATF is specified for power steering fluid in our 2003 E450.

Power steering fluid is specified for our Acura and Jeep with the Jeep's owner's manual stating, "not to use ATF".

Your best automotive advice always comes from the owner's manual.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97804
Quote
Your best automotive advice always comes from the owner's manual.
Thanks, Larry.  But that's my problem.  I have the orginal Chevrolet G- 30 van owner's manual.  It tells me to use the proper fluid, but does not specify what is proper.  The marking on the p/s reservoir cap does not help either.
 Anyway, I'm going to use the normal off the shell power steering fluid for this p/s hydroboost system.  Hope I'm doing the right thing.

Sam
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97806
"Anyway, I'm going to use the normal off the shell power steering fluid for this p/s hydroboost system. Hope I'm doing the right thing."

Sam

I cannot remember what fluid our 1983 LD G30 used.
Contact Steve (aq433). He has owned a 1983 FL LD G30 for near twenty years and knows just about everything about it.
 I would not be too concerned about using power steering fluid. It is formulated especially for the condition in your steering and brake system. ATF is similar to power steering or hydraulic fluid except for the friction additives needed to make an automatic transmission shirt smoothly.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97811
Sam, if you think that is confusing go into Walmart and look at all the gas additives they have. The prices vary too. I spent a few mins reading all the claims on the containers and it is amazing the sales marketing used. I think it is similar with Power Steering products also vs. Trans Fluid products. Larry is right
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97812
Quote
Thanks, Larry.  But that's my problem.  I have the orginal Chevrolet G- 30 van owner's manual.  It tells me to use the proper fluid, but does not specify what is proper.  The marking on the p/s reservoir cap does not help either.
The stuff I use is Prestone ps fluid, with no other spec listed. The Helms factory repair manual lists a GM p/n 'or equivalent'. However, the significant issue is pump pressure, listed at 1350-1450 psi. Don't expect ANY repair tape to save the hose. Replacements are still available.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97814
Quote
The stuff I use is Prestone ps fluid, with no other spec listed. The Helms factory repair manual lists a GM p/n 'or equivalent'. However, the significant issue is pump pressure, listed at 1350-1450 psi. Don't expect ANY repair tape to save the hose. Replacements are still
available.

Quote
Steve
Thanks, Steve.  OK, at that pressure, I guess there's no need to experiment with the Rescue Tape.  The pressure line I ordered ($20) has already arrived, but the weather is not cooperating (it's snowing right now in Houston!)

Sam
 
Re: 82 LD, Chevy G30, power steering fluid cap???
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97844
Final update:

I replaced the pressure line and the leak is gone.  The job took me about 2 hours and induced a few colorful vocabulary.  But all is well now.  Thanks to all for your help.  Now on to other things.

Sam