My Accord has 224,000 miles on it and I recently started having a problem with the power steering fluid overflowing from the reservoir and when I check the fluid level the fluid is foamy and then when it settles it never needs to be refilled. Is this a problem with the power steering pump or with the power steering rack? I don't notice any drag in the steering when sitting at a light and turning the steering wheel back & forth and the steering is not tight when making any turns,also I do not get any groaning or clicking noises

 

Foamy PS fluid leading to overflow happens when air is pulled into the fluid on the suction side. Replace reservoir, inlet hose and clamps if you can' t find the leak. Sometimes a blocked filter in the reservoir can lead to air pulled into the PS fluid.

Suggest idling engine and tightening clamps to see if foaming is resolved. New suction inlet hose may be necessary (small cracks allowing air).

good luck

 

Thank you.....I will start with replacing the fluid, that has never been replaced since I bought the car used in '07 with 178,000+ miles on it,and looking for a clogged screen/ filter and see if that helps and if that doesn't work then I will look for leaks....I just don't want to put anymore money into this thing...I've bought it for 1700 and have put over 6 grand into it and I could have bought a better / newer car by now with the amount of money I spent on 'ole bessy......how do i clean the filter if that's blocked?

 

You don't clean the filter. It's built into the reservoir. Reservoir is not expensive. Suggest new suction inlet hose as well.

It's also possible the air leak is in the pump body itself. Any place PS internal pressure is less than atmosphere, air can enter. This only occurs on the suction side of the system.

good luck

 

Again thank you...this all started when my tires were frozen to the ground during that bad cold span we had here in the Philly area in Feb. and I had to turn the steering wheel with major force to free the tires.....

 

It is also possible for a leak on high pressure side to lower the fluid level to the point that air gets sucked into the fluid at the reservoir. Check for leaks on HP side of PS system.

good luck