I have to add power steering fluid every month or so to my 2000 2.4L. I have no external leakage anywhere on the engine.

Since the PS pump is bolted directly to the head, is it possible that the PS pump seal is leaking and the missing PS fluid is being routed to the crankcase via the head?

Yes it is possible. I have seen it before.

Interesting. I suppose my next step is to remove the PS pump to see if there is any PS oil in the space between the pump and the head.

The pump works fine, has 135k miles on it. Should I replace the seal (is that even possible) or just put a new pump in it?

i had disappearing PS fluid at one time too. never found out where it was going. i used the lucas oil stop leak power steering fluid, fixed it right up.





GO PATS!!!

Sometimes the power steering fluid will leak out and then hit a hot part of the engine and burn away or it gets absorbed by some thing. The 98-02 escalades had a problem like this so try that one out.

I was planning to remove the PS pump to inspect the inner seal this weekend. Hopefully it is just the seal leaking because that is pretty easy to fix. I am lucky it is a slow leak.

I had to add PS fluid to mine also. I'm glad i checked it when i did. I checked it because it would whine when turning. Also i had a grinding sound when makeing a sharp turn. When i checked it was below the add mark. Almost off the stick. After filling it. The whine is gone and the grinding is gone. So i guess it was running dry. I also could not find any leaks anywhere.


2002 Sunfire SE, Polo Green, 2.4, 4 Speed Auto,
Sunroof,
Mods: Sony MP3 HU, 6 1/2 kicker speaker in Front Doors, 6 x 8 Pioneer speakers in back,
100 Watt Boozka sub, Remote start and alarm.