When I tried removing that hose from the reservoir on my '85 the plastic fitting snapped right it was so brittle. That was 2 years ago. If your reservoir has never been replaced it's probably about time. Jeff Stewart ----- Original Message -----
> Thanks for the suggestions. I cannot see underneath the reservoir. I'd
> like to remove it to get a good look at it. How does it come off?
> Bentley gives NO information, not even on the hoses. I suspect the
> short hose from the reservoir bottom to the pump. How does that hose
> come off at the pump end? Again no info in Bentley. The reservoir
> level went way down while the van was sitting so it looks like a slow
> seepage from somewhere at the bottom.
> On Saturday, January 18, 2014 2:53 PM, Roger Whittaker
> <rogerwhitt1@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> dear leaks
> suppling information over the internet with out pics is hard but lets
> try -
> 1. Ensure reservoir is full
> 2. Shut off running motor
> 3. wipe all hoses - cylinder control arm and the pump clean - AND I
> MEAN
> CLEAN _
> 4. restart motor - watch reservoir from underneath and above while
> accomplice turns steering wheel slowly to right and left
> 5. OBSERVE
> here is what you may see -
> A. the leak is not a leak at all but spillage from overfill
> B. The pump reservoir body is cracked (very unlikely but entirely
> possible )
> C. one of the hoses is leaking - there should be a pressure line and a
> return line -
> one or both may be failing due to age or improper adjustment at time
> of
> install or inspections
> d. The control arm cylinder is leaking at the seal where the rod
> travels in
> and out of the cylinder - (slight chance but possible)
> e. The fitting of the pressure line is compromised - and to remedy you
> need
> to remove the hose - take it to a local hydraulic fitting and repair
> shop
> they will cut off your fittings and replace hose inbetween - re krimp
> and
> you reinstall
> Other option - take to local repair shop and they will do all these
> steps
> in order for you and you simply pay - likely 200$ if parts are
> required -
> good luck and good vwuin
> regards
> On Sat, Jan 18, 2014 at 1:40 PM, Steve Cotsford <cotsford@aol.com>
> wrote:
> > Yes I agree. Discretion is the better part of valour. In any
> > situation
> > a thorough inspection is required, especially with older vehicles
> > where
> > material degradation is possible, even likely. Sometimes you can get
> > lucky however and small solutions do not need to be overlooked.
> > Steve
> >
> > On Jan 18, 2014, at 4:27 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I just had one that was a cracked reservoir.
> > >
> > > Dennis,
> > > From my phone.
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: David M<mailto:covrambles@YAHOO.COM>
> > > Sent: 1/18/2014 3:34 PM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM<mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > > Subject: Power steering leak near reservoir
> > >
> > > I have a pretty serious power steering leak from somewhere near
> > > the
> > reservoir. Does anyone know what leaks here and how to fix it? Is it
> > possible to replace the weird VW part rubber/part metal hoses with
> > some
> > standard parts that wont cost an arm and a leg. I could not find
> > anything
> > on the Bus Depot website since they don't have a power steering
> > parts
> > category, I need to get this fixed as quickly as possible.
> > >
> > >
> > > David (1987 Wolfsburg)
> >
> --
> roger whittaker 604.414.6266
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