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by: lnengineering

Description: Article adapted from Marc Gamora's original article Do you find you are having consistent problems with power-steering fluid boil-over and pump cavitation? You may not even be aware that its happening until you see the drip make it to the floor, or have a steering groan and, at times, high steering effort ? Maybe you seem to have to add steering fluid often despite evidence of a leak. The case webbing has a tendency to catch a fairly large volume of fluid, which often doesn’t make its appearance until enough has accumulated and aggressive driving puts it over the edge, literally. Naturally, the high revs associated with track events and autocross result in very high P/S pump speeds, fluid velocity, and fluid pressure. Also, consider that there is an increased demand for power steering assist, as well as more feedback from the road or track. Most importantly, is the increase in both operational and ambient temperature and the resultant fluid expansion, hence the expansion tank, and overflow tube –which is often wet, even under normal use. However, it is usually track use that pushes the system to its limit: the fluid boils over, the level drops thus the pump cavitates, and the high pump speeds whip the aerated fluid into an expanding froth. The mid-engine cars seem to be more prone to it, possibly due to the fact that the steering fluid lines are positioned more closely to ambient heat sources. Some say that “sawing at the wheel “ can exacerbate the problem, and I don’t doubt it. However, it can still occur even with the smoothest of steering input. Not surprisingly, the GT3(and 911 Turbo) doesn’t seem to have this problem -it has a much larger drive pulley, an appropriately valved P/S rack, a robust pump, and an aluminum reservoir. Excessive bump steer can also contribute and may damage the rack and/ or pump. There is a check valve/flow control orifice installed in the end of the pressure line where it enters the rack. I have seen this device damaged and even turned sideways in the bore from pressure spikes resulting from wheel impact-an extreme form of bump steer, right !! When this happens, the pump screams without any steering, and there is no power steering assist at all. On the other hand, low fluid level usually manifests itself as groaning as the wheel is turned away from center, and there is still some assist. Obviously, a power steering cooler will not remedy the former condition. A cooler will help abate the boil over problem when installed within a system that is in good working order. It’s not a cure, but a prevention. Combine a cooler with an underdrive pulley and the use of an alternative P/S fluid for optimal results. Due to shrinking budget, I first tried the cheapest of solutions-a catch tank. Sound principle, but what I found was that the bulk of the overflowing fluid was not making it to the overflow hose, although it was “wet”. Most of the fluid had breached the o-ring that seals the connection between the upper and lower reservoir and the reservoir cap itself. The o-rings were new at the time I installed the catch tank. After dutifully cleaning the affected area, I refilled the reservoir, and bled the system of ingested air. Bleeding is easy and I’ll cover it at the end of the install procedure. By the way, the Pentosin steering fluid used by Porsche (Goo 2000 for VW folks) is aggressive to many types of rubber and plastic, as well as paint and other coatings. The factory service manual advises the immediate cleanup of any spilled P/S fluid, with soap and water. The current factory fluid is Pentosin CHF 202. It is fully synthetic and can be mixed and used in place of the Pentosin CHF 11s. It’s not compatible with systems using CHF 7.1. I can testify to its effect on rubber cooling hoses, especially when it seeps into the cut ends of hoses at their connection points-can you say swollen? It is important to clean it up quickly and completely. Also,we have also found that the factory fluid does slowly evaporate. Many Porsche and VW technicians have noticed this and after having checked comprehensively for leaks, have stopped wondering where the fluid has gone. We’ve changed away from the Pentosin line and now use Redline Synthetic P/S fluid because it is less aggressive to plastic and rubber and has higher viscosity at operating temperature and a higher boiling point. It is also miscible with the residual amounts of Pentosin left in the system. Remarkably, the pump has proved itself very resilient. Prior to installing the cooler, it had boiled over several times, and definitely made plenty of horrible noise. By the 4th or 5th time, I figured it had given up the ghost. However, I gladly report we are still using the same pump, and after the cooler installation we have had no problems to date. This may not be your experience. The pump isn’t easy to get to, and replacing it on a Boxster or Cayman isn’t the easiest job I’ve ever done. Even so, it’s not terrible and I would still rather replace a P/S pump than get a root canal. One area that can leak when the system has been hot is the o-ring that seals the connection between the reservoir and the pump. It really can’t be seen w/o removing the assembly. Excessive temperature can melt the reservoir and deform the plastic, so I guess it is really not o-ring failure, but instead, reservoir failure. The return line into the reservoir is not a common leakage point, it is locked in place with a swage collar and is sealed by an o-ring. Do make sure it is fully seated and locked by pressing it in the direction of the pump and then pulling it away firmly w/o depressing the collar. After ensuring your system is in good working order, you are ready to install your cooler. Perhaps you’ve already considered it , but really aren’t sure where to mount one.I assure you that the installation is easier than reading this article! Here is the procedure:

Remove the center underbody panels and the one on the driver’s side. Here is the installation location. Driver’s side, just rearward of the foot-well area.Install the cooler inline with the return line in this area. It is the lower line with the largest diameter. The cluster of three lines are vacuum, fuel and fuel vapor lines-don’t cut these! The P/S lines are made of aluminum, coated with plastic. They cut very easily using a commercially available tubing cutter. I would not recommend using an abrasive cut-off wheel to cut the lines. The tubing cutter gives the best results. Undo the clamps that are securing the P/S lines to the body. Drain the system of P/S fluid by disconnecting the coupler that is located under the driver’s side panel. If you don’t know how to disconnect and re-connect the coupler, consult a service manual or simply drain the fluid when you cut the return line- be mindful of the emerging fluid, it may spurt a bit. But don’t cut the line yet…

Here are the necessary supplies. The cooler, the fitting adapters, the fittings, pipe thread tap, hose clamps for the lines, hose clamps for the mounting, power steering fluid, and approx 16” of 3/8 fuel/gas rated hose. The two rivets you will need are not shown.

The adapters and fitting installed on the cooler using thread tape…Update: I have found Pipe Sealant w/Teflon to seal better than Teflon Tape in this application.

The installation location. Notice that the line isn’t cut yet. Don’t cut it yet. The pressure line, which will remain intact, is behind the cooler. Test fit the cooler, encourage the pressure line upward, it will reside in the cavity formed by the cooler and the frame rail. Orient the cooler so that the t-slot on the cooler is facing the pressure line. This will give the pressure line some wiggle room so that it is not captured or smashed by the cooler. The T-slot could be used for mounting, but the clamp system is much easier While holding it in place, mark the position of the clamps, equidistant from the ends of the cooler. Eyeball it unless you just like using measuring tools. It’s called E-Z for a reason!

Mark the area for the holes for the clamp rivets. A bit more than halfway up from the bottom edge of the frame rail works well. Drill a pilot hole, drill the diameter hole and test fit your rivets. I recommend rivets over sheet metal screws. If you do use screws, use nut-serts and thread locker. But really, the rivets are E-Z!

Drill a pilot hole in the mounting clamp is the area of the clamp just beyond where the threads on the band taper to a point. Drill the same hole to the rivet diameter.

Install the clamps using the rivets. Orient the clamp so you can tighten it from below.

Place the pressure line above the clamps. Test fit the cooler again. Determine where to cut the return line based how much hose you’d like to use. Use enough length for tension free installation, enough to use double clamps on the hose/line connections, but use the shortest piece(s) possible. 4 or five inches rearward of the clamp that secures the line to the body will do the trick.

Now you can cut the line and drain the fluid.

Cut the line for the forward hose below the elbow and so that it can be again positioned in the clamp that secures it to the body. Install the cooler in the clamps, test fit and cut the 2 pieces of hose you will be using.

Install the hose, use a double clamp on the connection for the hose/line as it has no hose barb to lock thee hose. The fitting has a barb on it, but you may use 2 clamps there as well. I did use double clamps on all connections on the last one I did. Position the return line in the body clamps. Here is a picture of the forward hose/line installed in the factory clamp. The pressure line is shown not installed in the clamp for reasons of clarity of illustration.. Put that one in there, tooClean and E-Z!

Filling and bleeding:Fill the reservoir slowly until the fluid is visible in the upper part of the reservoir. Start the engine momentarily and then shut it down. Correct the level in the reservoir. Do this several times. When the reservoir level no longer drops when the engine is started briefly, start the engine and let it run. Steer the wheel slowly to each lock, pausing briefly at each lock. Do this several times. Do not hold the steering against the lock for an extended period. Continue to let the engine run and check/correct any leaks in your P/S cooler installation. If you disconnected the coupler, check for leaks in this area as well. Re-install the underbody panels, and admire how easy and quick this installation really is.

The completed installation with panels in place. If you have or are using full coverage underbody panels, you’ll have to create a duct in them to supply your cooler with air. A hole saw will work well to accomplish this. Take her out for spin and correct the reservoir level. Set the fluid level so it is not overfilled when the engine is hot. Make checking this area part of your routine pre-and post race inspection.

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