Boiling power steering while autox

[95burgundyesi]

I am boiling power steering fluid, and loosing fluid while autox because the fluid is getting too hot. I run a fp manifold, so I was wondering what people are doing to block the heat. I was thinking of building a shield off the power steering pump mount and sticking isolation on the inside of it. I don't think I can wrap the fp manifold, but I will if it's do able.

 

[arrowhead]

shield it or go with mr2 pump system.

 

[gho5tone]

Are you using the power steering cooler?

 

[nuclearr]

If your having problems and you are running the stock cooler I would sugest an aftermarket cooler that comes with a fan.

Search Results for oil cooler - SummitRacing.com

 

[BigBeans]

Heat shield and a power steering fluid cooler. You can make one easily from a small tranny cooler.

 

[UofACATS]

Are you using the power steering cooler?

There's an oem approved solution in this thread

 

[knochgoon24]

Even the OEM cooling loop can sometimes be not enough.

Try flushing your system with new PS fluid. You may need to upgrade to a small 2 row (or larger) cooler.

Another problem is that the PS assist is based on engine RPM, not vehicle speed. So it will cutout at high RPM, even if you're only doing 20mph in first.

 

[jtmcinder]

There's a simple fix for 2G PS cut-out. You yank the little ball from the pump outlet (or something like that; I may be mixing up the details with the clutch restrictor). Either way, problem is, that'll make the heat issues worse.

 

[arrowhead]

You could try a silicone base PS fluid.

I really dont know how hard the steering would be by not using the pump in autox,
it looks from the videos and personal observation that there is a lot of steering input, which will also create lots of foaming in the fluid, maybe after each session you could try moving your steering wheel slowly from lock to lock.
this will eliminate a lot of the air from the system the same procedure that is used to get air out when you replace the R&P.

In the car I am building I intend to leave the PS system out and see how it works but this will be for Road Racing where there is not so much steering input if it does not work I will go with the MR2 system and take a small load of the motor.

You maybe even getting cavitation and probably your steering is losing its effectiness at the end of the run.

Hope this may help you.

arrowhead

 

[Scott McIntyre]

I've had a similar problem on the road course (never during autox though). After a track session, my power steering reservoir would be coated in fluid from it leaking around the cap, presumably from the fluid boiling.

I replaced the stock cooler loop with a PermaCool cooler, but it didn't make much difference

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Then I replaced the power steering reservoir cap, thinking the seal might have been bad, but it too did not eliminate the problem.

It's not leaking much volume these days, and I've never experienced any power steering reduction / loss, so I've just been living with it. Not sure what else to try besides a larger cooler.

 

[arrowhead]

Have you tried running w/o the pump or another fluid.

Also I have read that a by pass can be done to the rack similar to the miatas.


arrowhead

 

[knochgoon24]

If you run tight autox courses, power steering is a must. Especially when you start throwing wide sticky tires on the car.

 

[arrowhead]

Agree on that.

I was trying to get an opinion on road racing since rpm will also boil your fluid.

Thanks for your input

 

[95burgundyesi]

Stock cooler is in place behind my fmic. This coarse was VERY tight, I didn't even leave 1st, and was in higher rpms the whole time. I have never heard of the mr2 steering system on a dsm. I will go look into this more in depth to see what it is. But I think a cooler will be the best solution, like stated a small transmission cooler or something.

 

[arrowhead]

If that is the cooler you have installed it is not going to cut it.

arrowhead

 

[miguelmcv]

Get a Mitsubishi Montero Steering Cooler.
It has around 4 or 5 lines.
Compared with the 2g Transmission cooler, it has the same thickness , same design, it has only 2 lines less.

It is a really good upgrade for the steering.

I am using it.

 

[Boostinsideways]

You can wrap the FP manifold, many have.

 

[mschlanglv]

I eliminated my PS issues with a cooler I yanked from crown vic (80's) I found in the junk yard. I installed it behind the left foglight. I had to bend the cooler over a tire to make it fit, it's about 18" long. I also run synthetic fluid. Multiple track days, rallyx and autox, no fluid lost yet.`

 

[Dallas J]

I had boiling steering fluid issues for years, though I didnt even have the stock cooler in there anymore.

I fixed it by modifying a PS cooler from a ford Aerostar. I just had to make a couple cuts to the mount, bend, rivet and it was perfect to get mounted to the space where the AC condensor was. It just sits right between the FMIC and radiator now.

Dual driving and hot lapping never have PS heat issues. Coolant sometimes warms up, but thats a different issue.

 

[knochgoon24]

Any photos of this setup?

 

[Dallas J]

I may have some pics at home of it. Ill have to try and remember to look tonight.

The cooler is a two pass cooler that just loops around with fins for heat dissipation. Best part, it cost about $12 to make since I already had the rivnuts and rivets.