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YouTubeMy car keeps leaking steering fluid. I fill it up with 2-3 full bottles of steering fluid a day. Otherwise it becomes difficult to steer and it gets stuck. Also the indicators are not working on the car. I took it to this mechanic twice, but the problem is not fixed. Also if indicators are not working, can a mechanic fix that or? could you guys recommend a mechanic who won't see 20-something year old girl as a walking dollar sign? my car is Oldsmobile alero 1999. Thanks in advance
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Q&A
why my car can't get enough of steering fluid
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Patch
Schumacher Place
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Hmmm.
I can highly recommend Westerville Automotive, I go to the Westerville Road location:
http://www.westervilleautomotive.com/
They have saved me thousands of dollars, for sure.
Posted 2 years ago # -
claw71
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azw202 wrote >>
My car keeps leaking steering fluid. I fill it up with 2-3 full bottles of steering fluid a day. Otherwise it becomes difficult to steer and it gets stuck. Also the indicators are not working on the car. I took it to this mechanic twice, but the problem is not fixed. Also if indicators are not working, can a mechanic fix that or? could you guys recommend a mechanic who won't see 20-something year old girl as a walking dollar sign? my car is Oldsmobile alero 1999. Thanks in advanceIf you're driving a 99 Alero you probably can't just up and get another car but I would seriously start socking money away and the minute you can get an old Toyota or a Honda, dump this beast.
Fixing this problem shouldn't be too expensive but GM products are money pits once they hit the 10 year mark. Yes, now somebody is going to post a picture of his 1979 Buick LeSabre and tell us how it runs like a top, but for the most part GMs aren't very reliable after 10 years. They nickle and dime you to death.
Posted 2 years ago # -
agtw31
columbus
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claw71 wrote >>
azw202 wrote >>
My car keeps leaking steering fluid. I fill it up with 2-3 full bottles of steering fluid a day. Otherwise it becomes difficult to steer and it gets stuck. Also the indicators are not working on the car. I took it to this mechanic twice, but the problem is not fixed. Also if indicators are not working, can a mechanic fix that or? could you guys recommend a mechanic who won't see 20-something year old girl as a walking dollar sign? my car is Oldsmobile alero 1999. Thanks in advanceIf you're driving a 99 Alero you probably can't just up and get another car but I would seriously start socking money away and the minute you can get an old Toyota or a Honda, dump this beast.
Fixing this problem shouldn't be too expensive but GM products are money pits once they hit the 10 year mark. Yes, now somebody is going to post a picture of his 1979 Buick LeSabre and tell us how it runs like a top, but for the most part GMs aren't very reliable after 10 years. They nickle and dime you to death.</blockquotei bet you don't see as many 20 year old Hondas as you see 20 year old GM vehicles on the road today.
it's not the end of the world.
she just needs a hose,unless she burnt the pump up.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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agtw31 wrote >>
she just needs a hose,unless she burnt the pump up.yeah, you can buy a new hose now, or a new pump later, get that thing looked at before it gets more expensive or even flat out dangerous. the power steering pump imploded on my '99 Chevy truck this summer, they must put a 10 year timer on those things.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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and please note second part of my last post was a joke. The actual problem is a bad turn signal relay. This can be fixed by any halfway decent mechanic.
Posted 2 years ago # -
ThisGuy
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When I lived in Grandview I used Kenny Davis as ABS Automotive (1058 W. 5th ave, 614.299.6669). He treated me well...
I know getting to work is important but also don't forget that you are not only pouring 2-3 bottles of this into your car every day, you are also leaking that onto the street and into the environment....
Posted 2 years ago # -
GW_Justice
Grandview Hts.
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azw202 wrote >>
I took it to this mechanic twice, but the problem is not fixed.This is not rocket science repair. You find the leaking part, and replace it. What mechanic would be so incompetent they couldn't fix this? Why didn't you take the car back and say "fix it right"?
Maybe I just don't know any crappy mechanics who don't stand by their work, but is this a real problem?
Posted 2 years ago # -
fonzette
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The guys at Cheeseman Sunoco on Indianola have always been very cool about doing cheap fixes on my 1997 Grand Am. They get the fact that I don't need like-new factory repairs, just something good enough to keep it running safely.
Also, the name is awesome: Cheeseman.Posted 2 years ago # -
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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So I pulled into a Shell Station
They said I'd blown a seal
I said:
"Fix the damn thing and leave my private life out of it, Okay pal?"(the great Kip Addotta)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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This water tastes like burning!
Posted 2 years ago # -
manticore33
Delaware, OH
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claw71 wrote >>
azw202 wrote >>
My car keeps leaking steering fluid. I fill it up with 2-3 full bottles of steering fluid a day. Otherwise it becomes difficult to steer and it gets stuck. Also the indicators are not working on the car. I took it to this mechanic twice, but the problem is not fixed. Also if indicators are not working, can a mechanic fix that or? could you guys recommend a mechanic who won't see 20-something year old girl as a walking dollar sign? my car is Oldsmobile alero 1999. Thanks in advanceIf you're driving a 99 Alero you probably can't just up and get another car but I would seriously start socking money away and the minute you can get an old Toyota or a Honda, dump this beast.
Fixing this problem shouldn't be too expensive but GM products are money pits once they hit the 10 year mark. Yes, now somebody is going to post a picture of his 1979 Buick LeSabre and tell us how it runs like a top, but for the most part GMs aren't very reliable after 10 years. They nickle and dime you to death.That is why I drive older German cars. My 24 year old Pcar just came off of a 300 mi round trip with no hiccups.
It is likely a bad / leaky hose or pump and or bad reservoir. At worse case, you might need a new rack. Sometimes the seals go bad and allows fluid to shoot past the steering rods. Do you notice and 'fluid trails' when you turn the car?
Also, save yourself some money, most power steering boxes take standard automatic transmission fluid (except VW / Audi takes a special mineral oil $15 / bottle!). Just stock up on some cheap store brand ATF fluid. Your owners manual will tell you the fluid type.
The turn signal indicators could be a relay, fuse, or a bad switch. Advance Auto Parts carries the whole switch assembly (includes the levers) for $93. I would start with fuses. If you attempt to change the switch assembly yourself, please disconnect your battery for a while. You do not want to deploy your airbag. Alternatively, you could hang your arm out the window and do hand signals. :)
As far as a shop recommendation, I have none. I do all my own repair and service work.
Posted 2 years ago #
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