General Tech Good at troubleshooting? Have a non specific issue? Discuss general tech topics here.

Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-07-2005, 12:22 AM
kianoosh's Avatar
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Default Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

Hi Everyone,

Power steering on my car is leaking very little. I've been told it's from the steering rack. Talking to a mechanic, who fixes Audis most of the time, he said that I could use very little of stop leak fluid to see if this stop the leak. He told me he's been using it on many Audis and this has created no problem so far. Just wonderin what your opinion is about this matter? I've noticed that the power steering leak fluids only exclude Honda/Acura cars from their list but there is nothing mentioned about using them on Audis/VWs.

Any feedback/experience would be great. If you know of a good brand of power steering stop leak, please let me know so I can use it on my car.


Thanks a million,

Kianoosh
 
  #2  
Old 08-07-2005, 02:18 PM
Jestnomen's Avatar
6th Gear
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Columbs, Ohio
Posts: 10,684
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

I would stay away myself. Audi's use special mineral oil fluid for the power steering rack. I don't know if that is compatable with leak stops.
 
  #3  
Old 08-07-2005, 10:41 PM
AWDaholic's Avatar
Senior Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Lotsa places, currently Metro D.C., USA
Posts: 13,574
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

You need to solve the ACTUAL problem. Not apply bigger and bigger band-aids.
 
  #4  
Old 08-08-2005, 02:24 AM
kianoosh's Avatar
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

I agree with you guys. I know what the problem is. But the leak doesn't seem to be that big (about 100ml for every 2500km of driving). So it's not really that bad at all. It shouldn't be there in the first place. But I'm trying to find another possible solution for such a small leak. The mechanic is very knowledgable of these cars. He knows all about the minerals, viscousity and may other things, he's also a retired mechanical engineer (master's degree). So it's tough to disagree with him as well.

Thanks for the help though
 
  #5  
Old 08-08-2005, 10:06 AM
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

Hi, I had a leak from my Audi coupe pump, and tried the Slick 50 stop lleak fluid. It's compatible with mineral fluid, BUT it didn't work! I ended up stripping the pump down and putting new seals in!
 
  #6  
Old 08-08-2005, 08:46 PM
kianoosh's Avatar
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

Yeah the leak is a tricky thing. You never know if you can stop it by adding stop leak. My older car was leaking for a while and the first stop leak I tried (Gunk brand) didn't work. I kept refilling it and then about a few months ago a mechanic put some Lucas in it and it worked like magic! I asked the same question on the Bentley forum and someone replied that he tried Lucas and had succesfull results. The mechanic I was talking to did mention that I wouldn't worsen things by doing this. He also said not to put more than 1/3 of a bottle (4 Oz or 120ml).


 
  #7  
Old 08-12-2005, 02:25 PM
kianoosh's Avatar
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

I e-mailed Lucas and asked them about the compatibility issues. Here is the e-mail that I got from them. Hope this helps someone else as well. I will keep you posted on the results ;-).

Kianoosh,

I am happy to hear that you have had success with our Power Steering Stop
Leak. The fluid will mix with the mineral hydraulic fluid in your Audi
without a problem. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate
to ask.

Thank you for choosing Lucas Oil!

Sincerely,
Dave Wonser
Customer Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Receptionist [mailto:receptionist@lucasoil.com]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 7:01 AM
To: HIDDEN!!
Subject: FW: lucasoil.com - Contact Form - HIDDEN!!



-----Original Message-----
From: HIDDEN!!
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 5:12 AM
To: receptionist@lucasoil.com
Subject: lucasoil.com - Contact Form - HIDDEN!!


Contact Info
-------------
Name: Kianoosh
Email: HIDDEN!!!
Comments: Hi there,

I own a 97 Audi A6 Quattro. The steeering rack is leaking a bit and I'm
considering using the PS stop leak fluid from you guys. As you may know
Audi/VW cars use a mineral hydraulic fluid for the PS. Is your fluid
compatible with mineral fluids? I checked your bottle and didn't notice
any exception. But I thought I still should ask you directly.

I had used the PS stop leak on my 90 Talon and found that the stop leak
worked perfectly fine and stopped the leak in the steering rack.

Regards,

Kianoosh
 
  #8  
Old 10-11-2005, 02:32 AM
kianoosh's Avatar
1st Gear
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 85
Default RE: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?

Here are my updates since I added the Lukas Steering Stop Leak fluid to my A6:

First it didn't seem to do much as I almost poured the whole thing in (Lukas suggests up to 2 bottle if needed). The car originally used to need about 50ml (1.5 Oz) every week (about 400km driving). This trend continued shortly after I added the Lukas fluid. But during my long trip (2100km) I never had to add any more fluid! Since then I've put another 50ml of fluid (which I think was caused due to a mechanic touching about the rack) in the container. I've driven at least 2000km since my trip (mostly in the city). So it seems that Lukas has done its magic! Definitely recomended! Hope this comes handy for someone else. If you ever plan on doing this, make sure you do have enough steering fluid in case it doesn't work (I always carry a 1 liter bottle ;-)).

Cheers

Kianoosh
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vtraudt
B5 Models
4
02-25-2012 11:09 AM
kcfcycle
General Tech
0
01-17-2011 06:24 PM
catdog
Audi A6
1
12-02-2007 04:35 PM
wastedincome420
All Other Audi Models
5
12-06-2004 11:14 PM



Quick Reply: Power Steering Stop Leak Fluids?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:56 AM.