Ford 340 hydraulic power steering pump issue

Waynekelley00 · Mar 2, 2020

I m having an issue with loosing fluid out of my steering system. Yesterday when opperating the tractor for 15 or so min I shut it down and heard pressure releasing out of the cap. What could cause this? It will loose all steering then I add a little fluid and everything works but it builds up pressure and some leaks out of the cap.

caterpillar guy · Mar 3, 2020

Probably just the oil warming up from the use. Oil expands as it warms just like most liquids do. If it is puking oil out it is also probably to full.

Steve@Advance · Mar 3, 2020

Is the fluid milky with air?

Possibly the air whipped into the fluid is being held under compression, then when the pump stops the air expands and blows out the vent. I'm surprised it is not carrying fluid out with it.

Is there another leak that is allowing the level to drop to the point the pump picks up air?

If so, once that is fixed, and the level is properly maintained, over a period of time the air will work out and the level stabilize. Air tends to float up and out while the pump is not running, as in sitting over night.

Destroked 450 · Mar 3, 2020

If it's leaking out the cap the caps gasket is bad, there'a a small rubber vent plug near the top to vent pressure. I had to replace the cap on one of my tractors last year due to leakage.
If you add fluid with the engine turned off it isn't getting full and will have lots of air in the system, I start the engine and add fluid while the pump fills the system and pumps the air out.
Notice: If oil squirts out of the fill hole while your adding fluid the filter has a hole in it and needs to be replaced.

Waynekelley00 · Mar 6, 2020

Basically when it s running it s constantly pushing out fluid out of cap. There is a leak in the steering box that I m trying to locate. It just recently started leaking at the top of the box where the steering wheel comes out the instrument panel.

Waynekelley00 · Mar 6, 2020

It has developed a leak so do you think that is what s causing all of the pressure to come out of the cap?

Destroked 450 · Mar 6, 2020

No! a leak in the system will not cause that.
Have you ever changed the filter in the pump?

Waynekelley00 · Mar 6, 2020

(quoted from post at 14:43:58 03/06/20)
No! a leak in the system will not cause that.
Have you ever changed the filter in the pump?

just bought the tractor recently. Do you think that will help? I think I may not have communicated well.

After I fill the resivor, then oppererate it with it operating it leaks out the cap. And leaking out of the column. My thought is that with the cylinder leaking also there shouldn t be that much pressure.

sotxbill · Mar 7, 2020

Known problems with ford steering pumps..

if it squirts out the cap while running, the return filter inside is bad and torn.

If it looses fluid over a short time, but does not show a leak, the front shaft seals are bad and the fluid is being pushed into the timing cover and into the block. Over time your crank case will show a very slight increase in fluid. This is VERY COMMON on 30 to 40 year old fords. You can reseal the front shaft but due to there being a bit of wear and the shaft starting to wobble, the new seals will not last. So ultimately a new pump will be required. There are some fairly cheap new pumps on ebay that seem to work well. Where is it leaking into the engine, you can start using common tractor motor oil in the pwr steering so it doesnt mess up the engine, till you replace the pump.

Ford 340 hydraulic power steering pump issue

Waynekelley00

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caterpillar guy

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Steve@Advance

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Destroked 450

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Waynekelley00

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Waynekelley00

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Destroked 450

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Waynekelley00

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sotxbill

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