Power Steering Fluid

12976 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by CaseyGV, Mar 18, 2019

Turner

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2018

I have a 2015 GC Summit diesel with 48K miles. Check engine light came on a block from home. Let car sit 2 hours and checked oil, all good. Noticed power steering fluid was empty. I looked under vehicle and did not see any fluid leakage or any leaks from pump or hydraulic lines. Called dealership and they said to bring it in and check it out.
Dealer called next day and said they needed to replace the intake manifold. Two weeks later manifold replaced and car is ready for pickup. I asked about the power steering fluid issue and was told that they could not find any issues and charged me $38 to replace power steering fluid. I have never in my life seen power steering fluid or any hydraulic fluid evaporate. Service tech said that Power steering fluid needs to be flushed at regular intervals?? I double checked the service intervals listed in the owners manual,and check level and add as needed is all that is listed.
Now I will watch it like a hawk. Has anyone else experienced issues with vanishing power steering fluid?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

MyLittleSootMonster

· #2 · Apr 26, 2018

I am. 2015 Limited 34k miles. Only owned 3 weeks, snagged it used from a Toyota dealer of all places. Fluid bone dry at purchase, serviced at Jeep prior to a 903 mile move from Colorado to Illinois. Arrive in Illinois to have the power steering fluid below the MAX level by a good 1/4”. Serviced again at local Jeep, to be told “it’s the change of elevation between cities to cause the lower level.” I figured since it was bone dry when I purchased her, maybe the air bubbles in the system worked themselves out as I drove.
Jeep was returned yesterday (3rd time at dealer in 3 weeks) after a new cowling install and inspection of steering system. I have a constant louder than normal whine from power steering, even at a standstill. Dealer mentioned I had a leak at the rubber hose and reservoir connection...funny since the fluid held true at MAX level for a couple weeks after the refill here in Illinois. They overfilled with 2.5oz of fluid, which I’ll suction out after she cools down.

No visible leaks anywhere, even though there’s evidence of seeping at the boots. Will let you know if I have more issues.

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Turner

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 26, 2018

Turner said:
I have a 2015 GC Summit diesel with 48K miles. Check engine light came on a block from home. Let car sit 2 hours and checked oil, all good. Noticed power steering fluid was empty. I looked under vehicle and did not see any fluid leakage or any leaks from pump or hydraulic lines. Called dealership and they said to bring it in and check it out.
Dealer called next day and said they needed to replace the intake manifold. Two weeks later manifold replaced and car is ready for pickup. I asked about the power steering fluid issue and was told that they could not find any issues and charged me $38 to replace power steering fluid. I have never in my life seen power steering fluid or any hydraulic fluid evaporate. Service tech said that Power steering fluid needs to be flushed at regular intervals?? I double checked the service intervals listed in the owners manual,and check level and add as needed is all that is listed.
Now I will watch it like a hawk. Has anyone else experienced issues with vanishing power steering fluid?

UPDATE: Wife just got home and I checked the power steering fluid. It is now just above 1/2 level after a 40 mile drive, its going somewhere.......Back to dealer again and see if we need to flush the system LOL

CaseyGV

· #4 · Apr 27, 2018

I've had to add power steering fluid a couple of times to my 2014. It doesn't seem to leak either - don't know where it goes. It doesn't lose a lot so I just check it from time to time and add it. It is odd - I've never had a vehicle need power steering fluid before.

Marauderer

· #5 · Apr 28, 2018

I checked my 15 JGC the other day after reading this thread and it was low. So I added some fluid and will check again today and see if it has gone down. I haven't seen any leaks.

GeeC

· #6 · Jun 4, 2018

Hi OP, yep just had it happen to me! I have a 2014 wk2 overland and following an 80k service last week, the alternator just went and I noticed a small leak at the bottom of the engine bay... checked the tank and it was as dry as a bone!

I filled up to the max yesterday at 9pm; by 10am today it was at minimum - didn’t drive it anywhere in between as new alternator was needed - I topped it back up.

Alternator was replaced at 5pm and I drove it 120km, checked and it was 1/8 or so above max.

Bringing it in tomorrow for an inspection, will update the post with their feedback but it has not been an issue in the 4.5yrs I’ve had it. P.S I’m in Melbourne Australia

CaseyGV

· #7 · Jun 4, 2018

I just added more to mine today as a matter of fact. It wasn't so low that I couldn't see any in the tank, but it was below the minimum mark, so I filled it to just below the max. It hasn't used up the 1 bottle of fluid I bought some tome ago, but it definitely uses some.

CaseyGV

· #8 · Jun 6, 2018

I've got an appointment scheduled for the 19th with the only Jeep dealer in the area I trust for engine work. I'll report back what I find out. Maybe we'll notice a trend.

CaseyGV

· #9 · Jun 20, 2018

Update from my dealer. They found the power steering leak in my Jeep. It was up in the rack and pinion, so they have to replace the entire rack and pinion to repair it. Service adviser told me this was one of the uglier repairs on a GC, but fortunately, I had purchased an extended warranty when I bought the vehicle, so it's covered 100% by that. Otherwise it would have been very expensive to fix. Service adviser also said it absolutely needed to be repaired or it would have been a big problem later on.

KevinK

· #10 · Jun 25, 2018

what fluid are you guys topping off with? My ram uses atf-4 in the PS reservoir.

CaseyGV

· #11 · Jun 25, 2018

I use Mopar "Electric Steering Pump Fluid". Part #: 68088485AB

CaseyGV

· #12 · Jul 6, 2018

Just got my Jeep back from the dealership. Here's the description they put in the ticket: "Steering rack is leaking internal. Inspect vehicle. The left steering rack boot is wet, replace the steering rack and pinion."

KevinK

· #13 · Jul 26, 2018

Glad you guys sent this out. Checked the GC before the Arkansas trip and the thing was almost bone dry. WTF?

CaseyGV

· #14 · Sep 8, 2018

And... the Jeep is going back to the shop. Something is not right in the front of the vehicle after the steering rack and pinion was replaced. When I find out what's going on, I'll add an update.

kenhoh

· #15 · Oct 4, 2018

Turner said:
I have a 2015 GC Summit diesel with 48K miles. Check engine light came on a block from home. Let car sit 2 hours and checked oil, all good. Noticed power steering fluid was empty. I looked under vehicle and did not see any fluid leakage or any leaks from pump or hydraulic lines. Called dealership and they said to bring it in and check it out.
Dealer called next day and said they needed to replace the intake manifold. Two weeks later manifold replaced and car is ready for pickup. I asked about the power steering fluid issue and was told that they could not find any issues and charged me $38 to replace power steering fluid. I have never in my life seen power steering fluid or any hydraulic fluid evaporate. Service tech said that Power steering fluid needs to be flushed at regular intervals?? I double checked the service intervals listed in the owners manual,and check level and add as needed is all that is listed.
Now I will watch it like a hawk. Has anyone else experienced issues with vanishing power steering fluid?

Drago911

· #16 · Mar 18, 2019

CaseyGV said:
And... the Jeep is going back to the shop. Something is not right in the front of the vehicle after the steering rack and pinion was replaced. When I find out what's going on, I'll add an update.

Any idea on cost? My power steering completely failled.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

CaseyGV

· #17 · Mar 18, 2019

I actually did not pay for any of it - covered by extended warranty.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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