Severe milkshake in power steering. No leaks, no whine, no drivability change

[DemoFly]

I don't really know what this is indicative of.

flushed and filled about 60k miles ago with Mopar Power Steering +4.

1996 Grand Cherokee 5.2L. With the recirc ball steering gear box.

 

[cjolson140]

I've seen this when there's a suction leak at the return fitting of the pump. May not leak a drop of oil, but if it's sucking air when running it will make a frothy mess in the reservoir. Does it look normal after sitting overnight, and frothy after being run?

 

[DemoFly]

Originally Posted by cjolson140
I've seen this when there's a suction leak at the return fitting of the pump. May not leak a drop of oil, but if it's sucking air when running it will make a frothy mess in the reservoir. Does it look normal after sitting overnight, and frothy after being run?

It's recently diagnosed, only a few days ago. I have had no power steering issues and I only checked the level because I was doing a full tune up.

It's frothy after sitting overnight. Like a poured Guinness.

It's a caramel milkshake after running.

 

[pcoxe]

Could a few drops of water have gotten into the system somehow? Maybe put a few drops on a paper towel and see if any water separates out.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted by cjolson140
I've seen this when there's a suction leak at the return fitting of the pump. May not leak a drop of oil, but if it's sucking air when running it will make a frothy mess in the reservoir. Does it look normal after sitting overnight, and frothy after being run?

I had the same issue with my 93 Aerostar, and I thought that it was the issue mentioned here as well. As it turned out the fill cap on the unit had a small crack in it, and where the pump was situated it would occasionally get wet when it rained, or I when I washed it. Over time water would enter the unit and create a strawberry milk shake. OP inspecting the cap wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[JLTD]

Originally Posted by pcoxe
Could a few drops of water have gotten into the system somehow? Maybe put a few drops on a paper towel and see if any water separates out.


This. Plus, it's been 60,000 miles so it's time to do a fluid exchange again.

 

[DemoFly]

Final conclusion:

Took the cap off of the power steering reservoir today after sitting overnight and the system had a slight vacuum, leading me to believe there are no leaks.

Fluid was much less frothy. I flushed it properly with mopar power steering +4 (could probably have used the cheap stuff).

I think it was just 10 years of condensation. I live in the PNW and it's always been parked outside.