power steering reservoir whoosh leak.

[Dave]

I always have red atf accumulating around the front left side under hood and i never knew what caused it. . I am working on the timing and bumping the motor to line up the timing marks and i notice than when i turn off the engine a big puff of atf sprays out of the top of the reservoir.  What the heck?

[ja17]

Try changing the fluid and replacing the filter. Sounds like the filter may be plugged.

[Dave]

Thanks Joe.  I will get on it.
I don't see a gasket on top under the wingnut.  Am I missing one?

[wwheeler]

I just have a simple flat washer under the wing nut. There is of course a gasket on the lid that seals to the reservoir bowl. My understanding is that in the cap there is an oil baffle much like in the valve cover that allows the reservoir to breathe as the fluid level changes. There should be a small hole just under the wing nut, and I believe that is where it is vented. Maybe it is plugged and allows pressure to build?

[stickandrudderman]

You've probably got air in the system; try bleeding it at the box.

[Benz Dr.]

I raise the front wheels off the ground and then I turn the steering wheel back and forth until all of the air bubbles are gone. This method is very effective.

[garymand]

Its a little tricky.  The filter is in the fluid, at the bottom of the Canister/reservoir.  the filter is a ring, about 30 mm tall, with a sheetmetal disc sitting on top of it.  All this is under the fluid.  There are a couple of 7 or 8 mm holes in the disc.  You that the spring off the screw shaft and used a magnet or a Phillips screw driver in a hole to get the disc out, the reach in and grab the filter.  It takes a lot to plug that filter. 

Don't know why u are getting the squirts, though.

[Dave]

Im on it.  Thanks