Hi everyone, I started my MCI 102C3 with a 6v92 DDEC engine just to run her a bit. Everything was fine, and after about 15 minutes or so I shut it down. My 5 year old son wanted to see the engine compartment, so I showed it to him. As we were back there I heard a dripping noise and what sounded like water gurgling in a tank. I looked under the bus and saw a heavy fluid drip that I was able to confirm was coming from the power steering reservoir. For some reason the power steering overflowed, which is crazy because I know the power steering fluid was a little low (I was planning on making sure the fluid was topped off next week when we plan to take the bus out for the weekend). I have never seen this happen before.
I started the bus back up again, then checked the the reservoir to see if power steering fluid was coming out. Now I could see the little teeth in the glass peephole, so I knew the fluid was back somewhere doing its job. After I shut the engine off I went back to check the reservoir. The glass peephole was again full of fluid, and I could hear that gurgling noise again.
I have always had minor issues with the power steering system making some whining noises, and we have looked everywhere for a leak to no avail, but now it seems something else may be happening. Any ideas?
Plugged filter?
Any air in the overflow... sounds like the pump has been cavitating, suction side air leak ?
I'm not sure how I should check if there is air in the overflow? Also do power steering pumps have a filter? Sorry for being so naive, I don't have much experience with engine components.
To expand on the past issues - the power steering fluid has always leaked, the issue is we have no idea where it's leaking because the fluid isn't making it to the ground. I've tried the power steering fluid with leak stop, which seems to help for a short time, but the fluid level inevitably drops again within a couple weeks or so. How much it drops I'm not sure, but the teeth in the glass peephole get exposed.
The weird part is this time there is some reverse flow happening since the reservoir is filling up (and at one point overflowing) when the engine gets turned off.
The reservoir has a filter or screen in it. With the fluid being thick from cold weather, and with a dirty filter, it may have sucked air in from somewhere and pushed the oil out the overflow.
the overflowed oil would look "foamy"..
I didn't notice it foamy, but I will try again tomorrow. Also I'm running regular power steering fluid, which is what I was told to do by the previous owner. Should I be running something else?
MCI uses Dexron ATF if the leak is not showing up on ground it's going into the engine I would bet it, maybe time for a new power steering pump
ATF is the normal oil used in the power steering on an MCI. Your comment about the PS oil going down but no visible leak should concern you. I would be watching the engine oil level very carefully to make sure it isn't increasing. If the seal goes out of the PS pump in can dump PS oil into the engine and possibly wash down your rod/main bearings.
ATF should be fine. There should be a filter inside the reservoir if it can't pass enough fluid to the pump the pump will cavitate and fill the line with foamy fluid. That foamy fluid will displace more volume and push fluid out the reservoir. You will not necessary see foam in the reservoir as the pump is pushing it to the power steering unit so it would have to make the trip to the front and back. Plenty of time for it to revert to solid fluid. When the pump cavitates, it doesn't add air to the fluid it creates bubbles of vacuum.
We both said the same thing at the same time luvrbus.
If the fluid was going into the engine as happened to the Oddessy a few years back, the reservoir shouldn't be overflowing.
I hope your right Lee. I'll confirm the oil level is normal in the morning.
If I take the lid off the reservoir where should I find the filter? Is it easy to pull out and put back in? Should I not even attempt this as a novice?
There should be a wing nut holding a large washer on top of the filter. If there is a filter. My bus shows a filter in the reservoir but it is a US built Neoplan with a v8-92.
Quote from: JT4SC on February 09, 2015, 06:43:23 PM
I hope your right Lee. I'll confirm the oil level is normal in the morning.
If I take the lid off the reservoir where should I find the filter? Is it easy to pull out and put back in? Should I not even attempt this as a novice?
easy peasy way to get you wrench on ... ;D
It's not much of a filter about a 1/4 the size of the canister 5 bucks at NAPA air is making it overflow
Quote from: luvrbus on February 09, 2015, 07:01:19 PM
It's not much of a filter about a 1/4 the size of the canister 5 bucks at NAPA air is making it overflow
i think that he already said the pump was squalling... ???
If it is a 102c with a 6v92T you should be using SAE 40 engine oil in the power steering , have had the same problems as your having it was a dirty filter
A few years ago on a trip to the Grand Canyon my power wteering started "sqalling" I checked the lever and it was fine. It wasn't to bad so we finished the trip. It got worse but worked so we made it home. Turns out the fill point had a "turn tight" rubber plug, and it had formed a vacume, thus the level looked fine. When I pulled it out the level dropped and it took 4 quarts to fill it. Now I pull it out to verify the level.
Live and learn...
Don & Sheila
I checked the oil level and it's good, oil consistency looks normal so I don't see any mixture happening (which is a relief). I'm going to hunt for the filter today after work. Basically I just take off the top of the reservoir and look for a wing nut inside the reservoir, right? From there I take the filter off, head to Napa and get a replacement. Am I on the right track?
Here is a scan of my reservoir
Your canister will be made by Nelson it will be a little different than Lee's just 1 bolt in the center remove the top and pull the spring and washer then the filter
Hi guys,
I pulled the filter out and this is what I got. There were 2 washers, not sure if that is normal. Can you guys confirm this is the type of filter I should get at Napa?
1 washer goes at the bottom of the canister the filter sets on it, then another washer then the spring,bolt and the cover,does your cover have a vent ?
If the silver cap on the lid is a vent, then yes I have a vent. :)
Does the filter look to be the right one?
Looks like it I cannot tell by the photo but Napa has the # there should be a filter for the pressure side in the right hand engine compartment that needs to changed or cleaned ( if a screen) also looks like a piece of pipe with a plug in the bottom there is a filter or screen inside of it sorry no photos
So your saying there's another filter that also needs to be changed out?
If yes is this the pipe with the bolt at the bottom? (Black part hanging down In the middle of the picture)
Update - I went to Napa with my PS filter in hand and asked for a replacement. The part # on the old filter had worn off so that was no help. I searched the Internet and I believe I found the right part - Fleetguard 87904M. Can anyone smarter than I confirm this is the right filter for this?
Also I was a little worried there are actually 2 filters I need to replace (per the post from luvrbus)? Can anyone shed any light on that? Thanks everyone for your help!!
Try 51637 Fleetguard that is the one I use,you have a manual it will show the location of the pressure side filter section 11 I believe my 5,8 and the DL I have now has one(washable) so I almost sure yours will have one
Thanks luvrbus! I don't have a manual, I probably need to get one! Money problem is I don't know where to start. Should I try to find a manual for the bus I own (1993 MCI 102C3) or should I get the manual for just the power steering pump?
Quote from: JT4SC on February 11, 2015, 10:32:28 AM
Thanks luvrbus! I don't have a manual, I probably need to get one! Money problem is I don't know where to start. Should I try to find a manual for the bus I own (1993 MCI 102C3) or should I get the manual for just the power steering pump?
for the bus... most OEM's specify for their specs, not all filter cans and reservoirs are the same across all models...
Thanks Eagle, I appreciate everyone's help!!
I installed the new filter in the resevior. So far it hasn't overflowed, but the glass peephole still looks like there are bubbles in it. Plus I am hearing a gurgling sound near the tranny fluid pan. The sound is just like if you put an empty milk carton under water and listened to it fill up. I checked the oil stick and its normal, level is the same and it still looks like oil, so I don't think it's going into the oil pan. Could it be going into the tranny pan? Any other reason for that gurgling sound?
You should purge it. While running, turn the steering wheel all the way to one side, then all the way to the other, several times. Add fluid to the reservoir as it goes down.
How could power steering fluid go into the transmission?
JC
I did that a couple times, and will do it again tomorrow. Could air in the PS line have caused that gurgling sound?