I have a 1990 Vanden Plas with 95k on it and I bought it June of 2019 with 87k miles with it. It runs really smooth but sometimes I feel a vibration on the steering wheel around 70mph+, but around 50mph earlier today it was immaculate. I have a feeling its from the Power Steering Rack because I recently topped it off and this started happening. But, I do know that it had an engine leak before. I will be bringing it to the mechanic tomorrow to get it assessed but I'm afraid it will be a full on rebuild on the power steering rack which will cost me thousands....

 

another note that I should add is that I checked my Oil Level recently and it was normal, and my gauge light for an oil change has not come up ever.

 

another note that I should add is that I checked my Oil Level recently and it was normal, and my gauge light for an oil change has not come up ever.

 

Hi VandenP,

The fluid on your floor does not appear to have the red color of Dexron III Automatic Transmission Fluid, which is probably the specified fluid for the power steering system in your 1990 XJ40. But if it is leaking from your P/S system, the most common leak point is the low pressure hose that connects the fluid reservoir to the pump at the lower right front corner of the engine. The hose hardens over time due to its proximity to the exhaust manifold, and loses its ability to seal around the nipple on the reservoir. You can replace the hose with a section of straight oil-resistant hose from any auto parts store. Just take care removing the old one from the reservoir so you don't break the nipple off of the reservoir. I use a safety razor blade to carefully slit the hose until it will pull off of the nipple, taking care not to cut into the nipple.

There is no instrument cluster warning light for oil changes on your XJ40. There is a low oil pressure warning lamp that when illuminated may indicate low engine oil.

There are several places on the left side of the engine where oil can leak, including the oil filter housing, oil cooler line fittings (or bypass U-pipe if your car has no cooler), the oil filler tube gasket, and the oil dipstick tube gasket.

I have photos of all of these things in my albums at Jag-Lovers, though most of the large images have not yet been transferred to the new servers. The thumbnails and descriptions are still visible. Check the link in my signature.

Cheers,

Don

 

The central part of the spillage has a hint of dirty red colour. Failing rubber seals will make the usually distinct red of Dexron appear black. Of course, no guarantee the PO has used the correct fluid.

Whatever the source, that's a lot of fluid to leak and has presumably been over an extended time period? If so, putting a sheet of cardboard under the vehicle overnight could give a better indication of where it's coming from.

Graham

 

Looks like engine oil to me

Larry

 

Looks like motor oil...?
I had the same/similar problem, Your crankcase vent is plugged, pressurizing the crankcase and blowing oil everywhere.
The crankcase vent is the black valve on top of the intake manifold at the midpoint, Two coolant hoses connected at the rear fittings, crankcase at the single hose in front, Clean it
with brake cleaner, a pick and cotton swabs. 5 minute job!

Let us know results.

Roger

 

Hi guys thanks for the info. I came back from my mechanic and its a long list of repairs I'm gonna stick with my car though the engine is really healthy and i already got the differential repaired not too long ago.

Here's the diagnosis:

Auto Transmission Fluid
Steering Rack
Steering Rack Mount
P/S Pump
Power Steering Hose Pressure

-
With labor included, it a large sum of $3.2k. I can do the repairs one by one, and what do you think should I get done first? and if there's a better approach to it, please let me know.

Thank you always,

Paolo

here's the last photo I took from Wednesday

 

Hi Paolo,

That's a beautiful Jaguar, and well worth maintaining, but you certainly don't want to spend more than necessary.

I may not fully understand all the items on your repair list. See my questions below:

Automatic Transmission Fluid: Does this mean there is an ATF leak, or the mechanic has recommended the fluid be changed?

Steering Rack: I assume the mechanic is recommending that the rack be replaced or rebuilt because it is leaking?

Steering Rack Mount: The rack mounting brackets are part of the rack assembly (isolated by rubber bushings). What mount is the mechanic talking about?

P/S Pump: Is the pump leaking or is the mechanic recommending replacement because the rack is leaking?

Power Steering Hose Pressure: Are you sure it's not just the high pressure hose that is leaking, or better yet, the low pressure hose from the reservoir to the pump?

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi Don,

Unfortunately, I didn't ask any questions during the diagnosis. If it's ok I'll attach a screenshot of the repair cost for it in here.




I will be bringing it to another mechanic tomorrow to have fresh eyes on them and i'll make sure to ask what you said. Also, do you think its ok for me to go to another Jaguar Specialist after going for one i go to for a year?

 

Hi Paolo,

Yes, I think it is entirely within your rights to get a second opinion on the work your Jaguar requires. It's your car and your money, after all.

I think my first questions would be:

Is the transmission leaking, or the power steering system, or both?

If only the power steering system is leaking, where is the leak? If it's from the steering rack seals (fluid in the corrugated inner tie rod end boots), then you need a rebuilt rack, and replacing the pump and high pressure hose is good practice. If the leak is from the pump, I would replace only the pump and the high pressure hose from the pump to the rack and the low pressure hose from the reservoir to the pump. If the leak is from the high pressure hose, that may be all you need to replace. If the leak is from the low-pressure hose between the reservoir and the pump, you just need to replace that hose.

Cheers,

Don

 

Hey Don,

Just came back from the other mechanic, I think I like them a lot more. It was nothing but XJ models through the driveway. The diagnosis from them weren't as crazy as the photo I posted. He just said that my reservoir and pipes were leaking everywhere. No need for a steering rack rebuild. The transmission on the other hand isn't leaking, from what he said...and just suggested to change the oil perhaps for it. Other than that, I'm just waiting for a call back from him about the parts because he has three sources within the US to get the part and he'll wait to get all three of them to have a look which part is best to use. Nonetheless, I'm happy to say that the repair cost was cut to more than half of my original bill from this shop and moving forward would call to them for more assistance.

Cheers Don always for what you and all the mods do for this website.

Happy New Year,

 

That's great news, Paolo!

In my experience, the most common point where the power steering system leaks is from the low-pressure hose between the reservoir and pump. Due to its proximity to the exhaust manifold, it hardens over time and loses its ability to seal at the ends. It only takes about 18 in./46 cm or less of straight oil-resistant hose, available at any auto parts store. The old hose will be difficult to pull off of the reservoir nipple, and it is possible to break the nipple, so carefully use a sharp knife or razor blade to slice the old hose lengthwise until it will easily pull off of the nipple. Just take care not to cut into the nipple. New hose clamps are a good idea, and don't overtighten them and break that nipple....

Cheers,

Don