Power Steering Boiling Oil

[tractorjames]

I have had issues on and off with my power steering since my engine rebuild, possibly due to the fact the pump sat all winter dry with no oil in it.

About a month ago it has a spell of being very jerky on one particular journey. This was totally random and it had been working fine for 500miles previously.

It seemed to 'right its self' for a while but now when I go on a long journey, 20miles plus, the steering pump will start to make a cavitaing noise when operated. It sounds like a swarm of bees in the pump, when you remove the filler cap you are greeted by boiling ATF!!!

Anyone have this before? The Fluid level is fine and the system was purged of air when it was re fitted.

Thanks,James

[Staggard]

I have had issues on and off with my power steering since my engine rebuild, possibly due to the fact the pump sat all winter dry with no oil in it.

About a month ago it has a spell of being very jerky on one particular journey. This was totally random and it had been working fine for 500miles previously.

It seemed to 'right its self' for a while but now when I go on a long journey, 20miles plus, the steering pump will start to make a cavitaing noise when operated. It sounds like a swarm of bees in the pump, when you remove the filler cap you are greeted by boiling ATF!!!

Anyone have this before? The Fluid level is fine and the system was purged of air when it was re fitted.

Thanks,James

Are you sure its boiling and not just aerated so it looks like its boiling. The power steering is not subject any direct heat. Oh just had a thought, not unless somehow you have the metal part of the pipework against the exhaust manifold.

[Jeff]

Doesn't pressure generate heat?

[Staggard]

Doesn't pressure generate heat?

Your thinking of the sun Not to the extent of boiling oil you aint half got to get it hot

[LAMBRETTLAD]

is the pump hot to the touch?,failing bearing?

[GDPR]

You may be pulling air in on the low pressure side when it is hot - not uncommon as it's easier to try and pull air than fluid. Make sure the LP union is tight on the rack and check/change the hose clip on the LP hose at the PAS pump..

Russ

[tractorjames]

Ill, investigate the hoses in the morning, The pump casing burns the hand to touch and when the cap is removed steam/evaporated oil comes out!

Its definitely boiling or very close to it. The oil even smells burned.

Ill hadn't checked the hoses because I was thinking that the LP hose was a return to tank then the pump drew the fluid from the tank (or reservoir) so its something I hadn't considered.

I have a pump seal kit somewhere so I might strip the pump anyway and reseal it, it can't be a bad thing and I can't see all the heat will have done it much good.

Bearing could be an idea, but the pump is very smooth to turn by hand and doesn't feel notchy at all.

Thanks

[V Mad]

Hydraulic (metal) pipe might be touching the exhaust manifold?

[tractorjames]

It is tight so ill see if I can adjust the pipes further away.

James

[Staggard]

Hydraulic (metal) pipe might be touching the exhaust manifold?

Is there a parrot in here

[new to this]

i would have thought it would be bearings in the pump,cant see the metal pipe touching exhaust causing it,because if the pipe was that hot wouldnt it melt the rubber hose as well?

dave

[tractorjames]

Its quite surprising what the hydraulic pipes can take, i've seen tractors boil there oil due to farmers running hydraulic attachments on constant pumping all day. This shouldn't be an issue but people have a tendency to run things through the spool valves which are very restrictive, rather than fitting a free flow return straight into the transmission housing. I've never seen it cause issues with the pipes.

I have tweaked the pipe well out of the way of the manifold and been on a 50 mile run and its been fine so hopefully I may have sorted it, i'm not holding out too much hope though as like others have said I can't imagine the heat transfer being that great with a 1/4" gap between the pipe and manifold.

Ill see how it goes, and thank you for the replies.

James

[Staggard]

Its quite surprising what the hydraulic pipes can take, i've seen tractors boil there oil due to farmers running hydraulic attachments on constant pumping all day. This shouldn't be an issue but people have a tendency to run things through the spool valves which are very restrictive, rather than fitting a free flow return straight into the transmission housing. I've never seen it cause issues with the pipes.

I have tweaked the pipe well out of the way of the manifold and been on a 50 mile run and its been fine so hopefully I may have sorted it, i'm not holding out too much hope though as like others have said I can't imagine the heat transfer being that great with a 1/4" gap between the pipe and manifold.

Ill see how it goes, and thank you for the replies.

James

That's basically how an heat exchanger works so it could be possible. I hope it has sorted it

[new to this]

Its quite surprising what the hydraulic pipes can take, i've seen tractors boil there oil due to farmers running hydraulic attachments on constant pumping all day. This shouldn't be an issue but people have a tendency to run things through the spool valves which are very restrictive, rather than fitting a free flow return straight into the transmission housing. I've never seen it cause issues with the pipes.

I have tweaked the pipe well out of the way of the manifold and been on a 50 mile run and its been fine so hopefully I may have sorted it, i'm not holding out too much hope though as like others have said I can't imagine the heat transfer being that great with a 1/4" gap between the pipe and manifold.

Ill see how it goes, and thank you for the replies.

James

you learn something new every day glad you got it sorted

dave