URGENT: NEED AN ADVICE!!!!!

Hi,

I have a 1996 Honda Accord (Canadian Version, Automatic)...today when
driving to work, and whenever I stop on a red light...I find that smoke
is coming out of the hood...not sure why..

I kept driving and when got to work...I popped the hood..and smoke kept
coming up...I checked the engine, everything seemed ok...the brakes and
brake fluid are also ok..

but what caught my eye is that the PowerSteering "reservoir" was empty
(which never happened before..and it was always at the recommended
level)

I still don't know what's the problem...but there is an oil leak from
the car...and this is the only thing that I can tell that was
leaking...since I can trace the route I was taking in the parking lot
(I can see an oil line where the car was going)...

so I can tell that I had a leak in the power steering lines
somewhere....and the leak is kind of in the middle of the car...a bit
towards the passenger side...

so my question is...how that would affect the car...is it safe to drive
it without power steering fluid to the mechanic so I can fix it..or I
better fill it up first and then drive it?

is the power steering fluid connected or have anything to do with the
engine??

I would really appreciate your quick replies...

Freddy,

 

If you must drive the car, then you must prepare for power steering no
longer being there, or suddenly going away. If you must take it on the road
again to get it from A to B (hopefully a shop), and I urge first going to an
empty parking lot, practicing parking and turning, etc., for five minutes or
more so you know how much effort is necessary.

The steering system is designed to operate without power steering. It just
won't operate as easily.

The fluids of the power steering system and engine systems do not overlap.
What they do have in common though is that the engine crankshaft drives the
power steering pump, via a power steering belt. With you standing at the
front bumper, hood up, the power steering pump should be on the right side
of the engine, near the driver's side headlight. (I will double check this
in a minute.) Unfortunately power steering system pipes go places not easily
seen, so someone has to get under this car and inspect for where exactly the
leak is.

Google for {"power steering" emergency} or similar for more quick info.

 

Important note: The power steering pump can be destroyed by running it
without power steering fluid. I would disconnect the power steering belt and
then drive the car to a shop. Cut the belt off, if you have to. That pump is
very expensive.

www.slhonda.com will have an illustration of these parts, should you not be
able to locate them quickly.

You can try adding power steering fluid, but I doubt it's worth it. The
stuff leaked out before, and it's going to keep leaking without a mechanic's
attention.

The smoke is from PS fluid leaking onto hot engine or exhaust parts and
burning.

Drive cautiously to the shop. If possible, use back roads. Stay off the
highway.

 

Freddy wrote:

----------------------------

Don't start the engine without putting some fluid in there. Pick up a
couple bottles and check it often. You are supposed to use Honda fluid,
since it's special. You could substitute 'FOR HONDA' type if that's
available close by.

'Curly'

 

If it is smoking, then the power steering fluid may be coming out the
high pressure hose as a fine spray onto something hot.
This fluid can catch fire so be careful if you add fluid without fixing
the leak first.

 

Thank you all for your responses...

I did drive the car without adding any fluid..since the "reservoir" had
some left in it...the ride to the mechanic was like a 10 minutes
maximum..but the car was "smoking" all the way there...

anyways..the steering wheel did operate "normally" until I reached the
mechanic..where I felt it a bit harder the moment I was turning the car
to park it in front of his shop...so I left the car there and I will
pick it up tomorrow...I didn't wait to see what's the problem since the
mechanic is a friend of mine..so I left the car and left....I'll update
you with more info tomorrow...

Freddy,

 

well the problem was the line that connects the left and right side of
the power steering piston on the rack...

the leak originated there...and now it is fixed...it seems the mechanic
changed the line and now everything is ok...it was a matter of
$150...(he mentioned that if he didn't have a "spare" line, I would
have had to buy a new rack for that matter which would have costed
around $800...how credible does that sound to you???)

thanks again...

 

I can't be sure without knowing exaclty what part it is, but he might be
correct. What might have happened is he cannibalized a part from an old
system. This part may otherwise only be available by purchasing a new rack.

$150 sounds like a bargain for fixing a serious PS leak, though, either way.

 

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=
5&catcgry1=Accord&catcgry2=1996&catcgry3=2DR+EX&catcgry4=KA5MT&catcgry5
=P.S.+GEAR+BOX

You mean item #2? It's available and cost $4.60 from Majestic.