Hi Dennis,

I had a leak of something - a rapid leak - around six weeks ago, which was
the last time I drove my van before today.  It was something oily, and
leaking from a point between the two wheels and under the sliding door.  It
leaked fast - rapid drips, though not visibly pouring.  I had plenty of oil,
though I added a bit at the time just to be sure.  I needed coolant, which I
added, but it wasn't a coolant leak.  I was around 30 miles from home when I
noticed this major leak, which did a number on the parking lot where I
happened to be.  I drove home, and when I got back there was no leak.  

Various people whom I talked to about it said it sounded like a power
steering fluid leak.  So before I took my van out today, I checked the power
steering fluid.  It was just at the minimum line - low, but not depleted.  I
ran the engine for a while in the driveway, no leaks.  Filled the power
steering fluid up to the max line (with dexron ATF, following Loren's
instructions), and took her out for a drive.  No leaks.  I'll check the
power steering fluid again in the morning (it's dark out now). 

So I don't know what the problem was, or whether I have a problem now.  Any
brilliant ideas?  What would drip from right under the slider, between the
two right wheels?  And be oily?  And have stopped dripping?

Joy

****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
now living in a real house in northern Virginia
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
now living in the driveway and resting after two and a half years
lugging Joy and her stuff around...

For musings about life traveling in the van or living in one place:
http://www.joyhecht.net

****************************************************************
� 

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Dennis Haynes [mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com]
:::Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 8:24 PM
:::To: hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: is power steering fluid generic?
:::
:::If you suddenly needed to add power steering fluid, you have a leak. The
:::worst leak is one you don't see. Especially when embarking on a trip. The
:::most likely unseen power steering fluid leak is the rack. If the rack
:::leaks
:::and the boots are still good, they will hold a lot of liquid before the
:::leak
:::makes it to the ground and becomes obvious. If you can't see the leaks,
:::squeeze the boots. If there is any sign of fluid in there, you need a
:::rack.
:::
:::While ATF is not universal, the Vanagon power steering demands are not
:::that
:::tight. Originally, the spec was for Dexron ATF. VW later changed it to
:::the
:::synthetic fluid as used in the Audi's. In the aftermarket, this is the
:::Pentosin 11.7 or 7.1 fluids. The 7.1 is for superior low temparature
:::operation. It also leaks readily and is crazy expensive.
:::
:::My choice has been the Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.  This stuff with 2-3 year
:::changes seems to make the racks last longer. You would be surprised how
:::much
:::crud gets into these systems.
:::
:::Dennis
:::Yes, the FUN BUS stil has the original rack at 249K.
:::
:::
:::>From: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
:::>Reply-To: Joy Hecht <hecht.joy@GMAIL.COM>
:::>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::>Subject: Re: is power steering fluid generic?
:::>Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 16:47:53 -0400
:::>
:::>Thanks, got it. Now going out for a spin to see if I have any problems.
:::>(I'd better not, I have to get to Everybus on Thursday!)
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>Joy
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>****************************************************************
:::>Joy Hecht
:::>now living in a real house in northern Virginia
:::>and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon
:::>now living in the driveway and resting after two and a half years
:::>lugging Joy and her stuff around...
:::>
:::>For musings about life traveling in the van or living in one place:
:::>http://www.joyhecht.net
:::>
:::>****************************************************************
:::>
:::>
:::>   _____
:::>
:::>From: Loren Busch [mailto:starwagen@gmail.com]
:::>Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 3:57 PM
:::>To: Joy Hecht
:::>Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
:::>Subject: Re: [VANAGON] is power steering fluid generic?
:::>
:::>
:::>
:::>RE: Power Steering Fluid
:::>Bently specifies Dexron Automatic Transmission Fluid.