You are here:

Automotive/power steering level check

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/28/2008


Question
HI

I have a 1990 Ford E 150 conversion van. Had it checked at the local dealer and they say I will need a new power steering gear box since it has a leak. Other than that, it is in very good condition.

They told me to keep an eye on the power steering fluid level and that the van would drive fine until I had the repairs done - which will be a while at 800+  They suggested checking the level every time I fill with gas.

I do not have a manual and they did not show me where to check the levels or where to fill the power steering fluid.

Looking under the hood, I have found the washer fluid, oil dip stick and filler, and brake fluid on the right (driver's) side. I located another dip stick behind the air filter on the left side - it appears to be for the transmission fluid.

Do you have any idea where/how I would check and re-fill the power steering fluid?

My Marine is returning soon and I want to make sure the van is in good shape for a road-trip to meet him :)
No one around here knows where to locate the power steering - and several have looked under the hood.

Thanks for the help

Answer
In general, the power steering fluid reservoir is an integral part of the power steering pump.  On most vehicles, including your Ford van, this pump is a belt-driven unit mounted towards the front (radiator-end) of the engine, on the driver's side.  

The pump/reservoir unit will be recognised by virtue of its having two rubber/metal hose lines (one pressure and one return) connecting it to the steering gear box at the bottom end of the steering column, and by also being equipped with a removable cap on its uppermost surface to allow for checking fluid level and adding fluid if needed.  

The cap itself will sometimes be a screw-thread type, turned CCW to loosen and CW to tighten, but more often will be a bayonet-lock cap that will require a simple press and partial turn CCW to remove.  Most caps are fitted with an integral dipstick by which the fluid level may be checked.  

With the engine stopped and cooled for a while, the cap is simply removed and the present level of the fluid may be determined by seeing how close to the "full" or upper mark the wet portion ends.  If "full" and "add" legends are not present, there typically would be two marks, one upper and one lower, and the correct fluid level will lie between those marks.

I would stay on top of that fluid level, and deal with the leaking steering gear fairly soon.  If it is the original steering gear, it probably is worn to the point that you probably would note a real improvement in steering control when you replace it.

Regards ... EGK

Automotive

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.