domsgarage

So my power steering just, you know, stopped working a few months back.

Basically, when the car was stopped it was hard to turn the wheel but when its moving its fine.

I replaced the pump this morning with a brand new one and unfortunately its not fully fixed.

I drove it around for maybe only a half hour after replacing / filling the reservoir and it got noticeably better i think. I havent used the car in months because I dont really drive it in the winter, just store it.

Again when im moving, its fine.

Any ideas?

domsgarage

I bled out the system as well, just turning the wheel with the car running and filling it and what not.

KasbeKZ

got to ask.... did it ever get PS fluid in it?

btw, you should have tried rebuilding that pump before buying a new one! that worked very well for me.

domsgarage

Yeah it sucked it all in, no leaks.

I thought about a rebuild but i got the part cheap and brand new from a parts dealer friend.

Bleach

or whas his question, did you put Power Steering fluid in it vs Auto Tranny fluid?

My 280ZX says Auto trans fluid only in the power steering system... is the Z32 the same?

KasbeKZ

yeah it is. my sig says this!

if you've been using power steering fluid, that's your problem. flush it with atf for a while and it MIGHT work again. power steering fluid is "not an adequate lubricant" for the z32 power steering system.

domsgarage

Well, I have bigger issues now since I'm sitting on the side of the parkway with what looks to be oil sprayed on my hood, and the motor won't turn over.

ZLover4Life

Nice.

But about the PS issue, not only does the system take ATF, but the high pressure hose is a common leak point and would cause your problem.

domsgarage

The tow guy said "you leaked water, probably onto the timing belt, maybe you can just dry it off but hopefully you didn't bend the valves"

Then told me its a nice car and handed me his card telling hell buy it if I wind up getting rid of it.

Expect a new thread sometime this weekend.

KasbeKZ

wtf? water leaked, you couldn't tell whether it was water or oil, and water on the timing belt supposedly causes either a snapped belt or a need for the timing belt to dry off and have it work again? none of this makes sense.

domsgarage

Its definitly rust colored water, the radiator cap was a little off but the car never overheated.

This is what happened;

I braked herd and smelled something like a burning clutch.

Switched lames because I could hear something leaking / whistling.

The car wouldn't accelerate but it kept speed.

I took my foot off the gas and the car turned off.

It cranks but won't turn over.

KasbeKZ

okay, so the dude talking about your timing belt is just an idiot. there's nothing wrong with your timing belt. you busted a radiator hose.

tomtastic

yeah, check the radiator for leaks, hoses and the water pump. Unless it's not water. Maybe it's that ps fluid getting hot or something. What brand of ATF do you use?

ZLover4Life

A wet timing belt won't "jump"... they have teeth for a reason. Tow guys are morons... that's why they don't work in shops. I once had a tow guy try to crank my Z32 after I snapped the timing belt... not a good idea on a ****ing interference engine.