Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting What power steering fluid do I use?

I have a 1998 Ford Contour SE V6 duratec, MTX, 113K miles.

I have a leak and am trying to figure out where it is. It went through about .5 quart in a day. From what I've read most leaks go into the bellows by the CV joints. I put in Valvoline MAxlife Pwr Steering Fluid w/ Stop Leak

(http://www.valvoline.com/pages/products/product_detail.asp?product=74)

Is this the correct fluid?

Any tips on locating leak sources, hoses to follow, etc. Thanks!

Also look at the front of the engine block below the PS pump. If it's wet, the leak is the front seal of the pump. It sneaks down the front a few drops at a time...

I replaced my alt last weekend, and noticed it by the oil pan. The bellows have moisture but don't feel full of fluid. Where is the PS pump?

Just use Mercon ATX (factory spec fluid). Yes, thats right...automatic trans fluid.

Cheaper and I'd trust what came in the car orignally over something else.


Oh... those "Stop Leak" products are temporary... 90% or the time... it will make things worse. I have found that the "stop leak" radiator product does work on TINY pin hole leaks... but everything else is just a "patch". I would put the front of the car on jacks, and slowly turn the wheels back and forth to cycle fluid while having a buddy with a flashlight look under the car by the rack, PS hoses, and pump and look for dripping. Once the fluid is up to temp, it flows easier because (like oil) when the temp rises, it's viscosity gets lower. And before doing so... powerwash the underbody and engine bay so it is clean.. let it dry, and look.

There is a label on top of the right front (passenger side) strut with the routing of the drivebelts. It will show where the power steering pump pulley is. You should be able to see the pulley (top most). You may want to check if the power steering reservoir might be cracked at the bottom or tubing might be loose.

All the fluid is going to the bellows. I will do the recommendations given to me, but from reading other posts it sounds like its my rack?

If its all going to the bellows and not dripping out anywhere, would it be anything other thatn the rack?

I took some pictures to post but don't know how to upload them, I don't have a url for them.

Basically around the PS pump there is some new fluid stains, nothing serious and NO dripping/. Around the hoses from the reservoir same thing, new fluid on first 4 inches of hoses but nothing major. The bellows are now huge, which leads me to believe it is the rack. I'll upload pictures when i figure out how to.

What you guys think.

email them to me and i will host them for you.
zetectour@comcast.net

I believe you use Type F Trans fluid, for the Steering. Check the owner's manual. Don't worry yet though..A rack seal failed.

What makes you believe its a rack seal?

What constitutes making an entire rack be replaced as opposed to just a seal or something?

Bellows are HUGE.