1983 MC9 Power Steering Reservoir Breather Cap

plyonsMC9 · March 18, 2018, 04:26:17 PM

Good afternoon kind bus folk!

I went out this afternoon to move our 9, and in doing my once-over found the breather cap on our power steering reservoir had 'popped off'? and was sitting on the shelf next to the engine. (R.H. side next to the air valves). Now that was unexpected. I was able to kind of get the thing back on, but it looks awkward and loose. Though I'm also having trouble getting it back off. Not really sure what to do with this thing. I was going to clean it up and inspect it.

Can anyone share experience in working with the breather cap? Should it screw back on? It is on and is staying on, but seems like if I were to move it in the wrong direction somehow it would come back off. What would cause it to fall off, or pop off like that? My MC9 maintenance manual doesn't discuss the valve much, other than to identify it. Unless I'm looking in all the wrong places. I do have a very slow power steering fluid leak.

Baffled again, and thanks for any insights or information.

With best regards, Phil

Scott & Heather · March 18, 2018, 05:46:05 PM

Phil, on my 102C3, that little cap burps oil all the time right out of it. Makes a mess. I have issues with my power steering system. Can't help you but thought I'd add my 50cents

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Dave5Cs · March 18, 2018, 05:49:44 PM

Phil, the breather valve on top of the reservoir just screws in to the top as long as the valve didn't come apart. If it did NAPA has them.

plyonsMC9 · March 18, 2018, 05:57:29 PM

I'm getting the picture - very helpful. Thanks all!, I'll work on replacing it. Dave, I'd never considered that the PS fluid was burping out. I'll clean up that reservoir to try to determine if that is what is going on as a long term issue.

Kind Regards, Phil

eagle19952 · March 18, 2018, 06:00:49 PM

Quote from: plyonsMC9 on March 18, 2018, 05:57:29 PM
I'm getting the picture - very helpful. Thanks all!, I'll work on replacing it. Dave, I'd never considered that the PS fluid was burping out. I'll clean up that reservoir to try to determine if that is what is going on as a long term issue.

Kind Regards, Phil

Overfull ?

Dave5Cs · March 18, 2018, 06:18:14 PM

Yep Scott's right they do that if too full. I keep mine about 1/2 way up the site glass.

plyonsMC9 · March 18, 2018, 06:34:11 PM

Thanks all, I do keep it religiously at 1/2 way on the site glass. When it runs down to 1/4 on the glass I top it off the to 1/2 way. I don't think it got much above that.

Kind Regards, Phil

chessie4905 · March 19, 2018, 04:36:20 AM

You losing fluid? I'd think it wouldn't need topping off except rarely.

plyonsMC9 · March 20, 2018, 12:36:04 PM

Yes, there is a very slow leak "somewhere". I'm going to clean up the area to help determine where that leak may be.

Thank you!, Phil

chessie4905 · March 20, 2018, 05:42:52 PM

Especially check steering box and connections.

birdarchitect26 · March 21, 2018, 06:05:40 AM

Mine had a little collar brazed on, then threaded, IDK how standard this is but maybe a pic will help.

plyonsMC9 · March 21, 2018, 10:54:10 PM

It does indeed. Thanks for taking the time to make that available.

Kind Regards, Phil