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Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow


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Charleslaf
Novice

Jan 16, 2015, 10:45 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1661 views)
Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

Hello!
Yesterday, my loyal pickup barely made it to the front of the house. Unfortunately, I do not currently have money to bring it to the mechanics, and I need it to get to work.
So, high hopes here.
The yellow pipe that you see on the picture was smoking. The noise was very high, it was stalling at every corner.
What could it be?
It even lost the cap, probably due to a build up of pressure.
I hope it's just a liquid I ran out and I need to put in there. I really, really hope so.
http://postimg.org/image/5i1vkr2gv/


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 16, 2015, 12:48 PM

Post #2 of 8 (1645 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

That's the power steering cap + dipstick in one. If not pushed down and turned it will fall off and spill power steering fluid anywhere it feels like, it didn't just blow off for any reason I can think of. DO NOT START OR RUN THIS AGAIN TILL YOU FILL THAT WITH PROPER FLUID!


Can use ordinary ATF (like Dextron/mercon - ask) for fluid. Hurry and fill it and if you have to put aluminum foil over it on your way to get another cap - think all about the same for FORDs with a plastic on pump reservoir that year and older at least.


Now, if you run that sucker (too late probably) till you hear it whine away and power steering assist is lost you already risked the pump and debris thru the system but fill it anyway now leaving is low from the top by 2" or so, cover and steer it left and right a couple times (better with both front wheel hoisted and engine running a must) and it should self bleed. If no change damage is done,


T



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 16, 2015, 12:49 PM)


Charleslaf
Novice

Jan 16, 2015, 12:50 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1640 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

Ah! Tom. It makes sense. The wheel has been incredibly hard to turn around last week. It felt like a workout AH!
Thanks so much !!


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 16, 2015, 12:57 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1638 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

Again - don't drive it as said it will if not already wreck the power steering pump and debris can wreck gearbox down the line.


Sport - when something goes wrong with anything check it right away. This dinky problem was probably just checking fluid level and cap not put on properly and now a real problem. Do as suggested and fill it up before anything else + bleed by turning.


If you have total luck it will both shut up and have power steering again. Don't drive it with it uncovered and I'm near sure that cap is in stock item aftermarket at places like Autozone, NAPA and more...........


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Jan 16, 2015, 12:58 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1635 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

That's the power steering pump and you likely ran out of fluid because something let go. You may have ruined the pump now also by driving it with no fluid.
You need to start out by putting some fluid in it and finding out what is leaking.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Charleslaf
Novice

Jan 16, 2015, 2:13 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1628 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

All right!
Wonderful. Power steering eh, I'll remember this one.
So I refilled it with the red purplish oozing liquid. About a third of the bottle. Started the engine, sounds like a new, but when I went and looked at it,all the liquid was on the ground.
So, when the motor runs, the liquid goes out. If anyone is feeling like still help troubleshoot this, it's more than welcome. I'm ready with my shoegoo and ducktape.
Angelic


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jan 16, 2015, 3:11 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1625 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

OK - If still leaking you may need to at least wipe it clean as best you can and look right for where it leaks. That plastic tank could be cracked or leaking where it fits to the pump itself? I think it's sold separately or whole pump and tank I know is sold whole but without the cap.


Two lines near this are ONE high pressure and one low pressure return line. Leaks could spray away from the source. The return line should use just hose type clamps not the more common worm type and I've found the position of the clamps rubs on the other hose and moved them before anything happened.


Doesn't matter you are lucky so far except to find and fix the exact leak. Trust me, if you let it run low and use it, it will harm the pump and more. Worse is if pump (must be) is mandatory to belt system and totally fails to ruin pulley working this vehicle is disabled so up there in importance to fix this at once.


To find if difficult. Wipe with towels (throw away those) blow air if available or spray a cleaner like a carb or brake parts cleaner and quick blow dry to see leak return.


I would avoid using a degreaser and water to hose off things as that can make its own problems.


You'll find it if it take mirrors.


Check locally as when you find whatever if pump/tank or hoses they should be quickly available and as things go not that expensive,


T


(edit in - NO shoe goo or tape! It wouldn't work even if faking it for this)



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Jan 16, 2015, 3:14 PM)


Charleslaf
Novice

Jan 16, 2015, 3:17 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1620 views)
Re: Ford Ranger 1997 smoke, noise, about to blow Sign In

Thanks for helping out a young grasshopper Tom! I'll be getting to that tomorrow morning as it's already dark out.






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