Power steering fluid leak

[Steve McF]

I cleaned the PAS reservoir/refill area a few weeks back. Opened the bonnet today to see this......

[Steve McF]

So does this look like a possible split along that mould line?

[aerojon]

No,more than likely the lip seal has failed and engine oil has contaminated the PS fluid..

[Steve McF]

Oh oh? What/where is the lip seal, and is it a bit of a job?

[sgould]

Check the fluid level again.  There are (I think) two marks on the level "dipstick" under the cap.  If you to the "hot" level when cold, it may just be overflowing.   If the seal between the pump and the cylinder head has failed, the level of the fluid will increase as engine oil gets forced into the power steering fluid.  That seal failing is fairly common.

[Audax]

When I repaired the seal on my old 9-3 I think it was actually a split along that mould line, although it might have been that I damaged the tank while replacing the seal but I don't think I had any evidence of engine oil in the PS reservoir in the first place.

[aerojon]

i can't recall ever seeing an instance that the PS res ever spliting(as it's not pressurized)There is always a 1st,but the seal failing is a well-ish documented issue..

[Audax]

Well... I had one