99.9999 % , it is the frt seal that leaks,, the one behind the pulley ,,but if that is the case you should see p/s fluid around the a/c compressor or on the lft frt of car

 

I know this is an old thread but i have a leak too. I have looked at it carefully many times. I had a front end mechanic look at it twice also. We both agree it is not coming from the rack. The leak is at the rear of the engine compartment i.e. not coming from the pump. This is an 89 Accord Lxi, automatic. There is a "troth" looking structure above the rack. It is very wet with the clear Honda PS fluid. We feel it is a lieak from a hose or fitting but CANNOT locate it. My reservior also runs dry in about 2 days. I fully agree with the poster above that this should be obvious but .... it is not.

So, i have bought some UV dye and another quart of Honda fluid. Is adding dye to my PS system a bad idea? The front end mechanic says clean the rear troth area with degreaser and warm water and then we will add the dye right there at his shop. We anticipate to have a big dye mess so we want to see it right when it starts before evidence is masked with dye everywhere

What do you guys think?

 

Remove the air filter cover, filter and base housing. This will give you a clear view from the top down to where the lines connect to the rack....also there are some rubber hoses on top of the cross member that you will be able to see......

 

thanks poorman. I removed the items you stated, filled the reservior to near full. Drove the car around my circle about 4 times. Added another 1/2 reservoir for top off. System had air in in i guess. Added 1 oz of dye to the reservior. Started it up and only cranked the wheel back and forth. I found a loose hose on the return side of the system with a bright yellow fluid (i'm using black light with UV dye).

The hose connects to a module that is bolted into the top of the auto trans housing. the module has a cable that goes back around across the engine and into the drivers side fire wall. It sounds like the module is related to the cruise control I'm guessing. Anyway, I'm hoping the module is not leaking and only the fitting going into it. This hose goes back to the rack and transitions over to a hard steel line. The spot that is leaking is sort of like a hose clamp but beefier. More like a bolt that crosses the band of the clamp and squeezes the crap out of the hose (which it should).

The dye trick was pin point perfect. The mechanic that helped me earlier had suspected the leak had something to do with the module but we had a huge mess with fluid everywhere. Before doing the top off/ add dye operations, I had taken it to the car wash and used engine cleaner "mode" on the whole back area above the rack and got it pretty fluid free. I will pull the hose off tomorrow and change out with a new clamp.

Lastly, it was funny as i had to wait until the sun went down so that i had no light besides the black light to shine on the leaky dye point. I even put a large paint drop cloth over the whole open hood area to block light from neighbor's homes. I looked like an old timey photographer under the sheet thing. I felt pretty dorky :-).

 

Sorry, I thought the leak was more to the drivers side. Yes the hoses (two) to the speed sensor (VSS) can leak as well but I guess you know that now. That cable is your speedo cable.....let us know how it goes.

 

Yes sorry, it is the VSS return pressure hose, nothing to do with cruise control. Is it okay to leave the dye in the system or should i somehow flush this out?

 

You can leave the dye......I'm guessing/hoping you are using Honda/Acura PS fluid.....you will loose some in the hose change/repair.

 

Yes, the original owner warned me to use Honda specific fluid when i bought it. I've been buying it by the quart feeding this leak. We are done. It's fixed and the black light saw nothing further. The parts store guy said there is a product called dye-away that chemically "fades" the dye. I will live dye like it is now for about a week to make sure all is good before "un-dying" the fluid. thanks again poorman.

Next fix is a minor break fluid leak. I think it's on a hose. I had already changed the master cylinder. Hopefully i won't bug any of you guys about it.

 

That is what we are hear for

If you do need anything just start a new thread and ask away...I've got a few of these in the driveway so I'm pretty good with them.