My truck leaks a little coolant a little tranny fluid a little oil and a lot of power steering fluid. I need to keep driving it. If I keep an eye on the fluid levels, should I be OK?
2006-12-21 05:28:02 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you want to spend the money to keep adding and buying more fluid rather than spending a little to repair the problem then you will be fine. The only one that really concerns me is your coolant. The reason the coolant doesn't boil in the radiator is because the radiator cap keeps pressure on the fluid. Liquids under pressure need more temp to steam and boil. Obviously steam and boiling of your trucks coolant is NOT GOOD. If there is a leak then there is also going to be a losss of pressure which will lower the boiling temp of the coolant.
A Little oil is okay.
Power steering - If it is leaking alot then maybe just check to see if a line has come loose. if so , tighten it up. Easy no cost fix. If your power steering looses all oil while you are driving you will have a VERY hard time steering your truck, especially at higher speeds. You should notice if it is getting low because you will start to hear a whining noise when you turn your steering wheel. If you let it go too far you will get intermitent operation of the power steering and spurts of power and momentary loss of power. At the final stage with absolutley no oil you will not have any power steering.
2006-12-21 05:36:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a car once that had a leaking transmission pan. I tried several times to fix it, but it just kept leaking. I eventually gave up and just kept adding trans fluid. It got to the point where I had a good feel as to how much it leaked and how often I would have to add a certain amount of oil. I put lots and lots of miles on that car and I never had to change the trans fluid, it was always new.
With the trans, PS and engine oil, there is an excess amount of these fluids, so that a minor amount can be missing and the system will continue to operate as it should. Just remember that if the levels get too low, you can cause some serious damage. I would however recommend that you keep something under the car to catch or adsorb these fluids, since they make a mess and are not good for the environment.
The radiator coolant is another story. The cooling system is designed to operate under pressure, the boiling point of the fluid is increased. A small leak will compromise it's effectiveness and could end up cooking the engine in a short amount of time. You should probably suck it up and fix that one.
Whatever you end up doing, I take no responsibility for the reliability of your vehicle. ; )
2006-12-21 05:39:41 · answer #2 · answered by Johnny A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll be okay for a while. The leaks will get to the point where you'll be adding fluid every time you drive, or you'll have a catastrophic failure and be stranded. A $200 towing bill will go a long way toward fixing the coolant and power steering leaks. Get it checked out.
2006-12-21 05:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by mcmustang1992 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are not concerned with the potential enviromental damage you are causing, and do not care about all the other people who have to drive on the roads you are contaminating with dangerous slippery fluids, not to mention the cost to you, well, drive it untill it strands you, then call a tow truck, tow it home THEN have it fixed, and we all can then breath a little easier. Seriously though, any leak is potientially dangerous, both to yourself, and to others( think of all the mothers out there with children in their cars driving on roads contaminated with dangerous fluids). Not all mechanics are crooked, most will operate their shops with integrity and are NOT out to get rich off of every customer, I would rather charge a little less, and help someone out, after all, I may need to look them in the face at the grocery store tomorrow! burts chevy.
2006-12-21 12:48:44 · answer #4 · answered by Burts chevy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in case you sense that your water has broken, then flow to the ER. If it has, then the longer it maintains to be broken is the extra danger an infection can get to the baby. i be attentive to that's problematic to flow if it seems to be no longer something, yet extra suitable secure than sorry. (i became on the scientific institution thrice until now I had my son...I went homestead the final time in basic terms to return 12 hours later and furnish my son). If this is time for the baby to return, then there is not any longer something to be executed approximately it. in case you % to objective to work out if the fluid you're leaking is amniotic fluid, they have at homestead sorting out kits at walmart. they are interior the comparable section because of the fact the being pregnant exams. sturdy success and congrats :D
2016-12-11 13:42:20 · answer #5 · answered by slagle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, a leak is a good sign, as weird as that sounds, it means the problem is external. Now if your car was burning fluid and you didn't know where it was winding up, then you have a more serious problem on your hands.
2006-12-21 07:02:06 · answer #6 · answered by Tess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just keep an eye on it and add more as needed. Bear in mind that if it starts using up more fluid faster then you shoudl probably try to get something fixed.
2006-12-21 05:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by Matt M 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Welcome to the magical,mysterious world of what us old timers call"owning an old truck". Kinda cool huh being part of an exclusive brotherhood. You may want to get the steering fixed for safety-but go to a junk yard just to keep the tradition alive!
2006-12-22 04:01:53 · answer #8 · answered by gittit 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd fix the power steering leak.
2006-12-21 05:34:04 · answer #9 · answered by bobweb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
your truck leaks a lot of power steering fluid - and you are ok
with spilling that over the roadways that we have to run on?
nope get that one fixed - for many reasons - your safety is paramount - our safety is next
please have that fixed
2006-12-21 05:33:08 · answer #10 · answered by tomkat1528 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋