Please help me ASAP! 98 Caravan problem.

[ssk1208]

First post here! Hello everyone! I really need your help this time.

We found oil is leaking from the front of our 1998 Caravan. When we first identifed the leakage we found the car was losing half of its coolant. We refilled the tank and there was no more coolant lost. But then I found more oil leaking again yesterday. It appears that it has nothing to do with the coolant as the color of the liquid appears to be orange (the coolant is green color). I turned the wheel completely to one side and vice versa. I look under the car and it appears the black plastic that forms part of the steering arm is cracked. And the surrounding area are covered up with oil completely. The car has had the following service and these parts have been replaced: valve cover gasket, PCV Hose, Intake Manifold Gasket, Power Steering Flush. Photos are included. I will be taking the car in tomorrow, but I thought I would seek for help first. Please take a look at the photos and it will be great if you can help me to identify the problem.

I appreciate your help! Thanks.

[RickMN]

Looks like you've shot a picture of the outer CV boot. Not uncommon on this age vehicle. The shop will put in a rebuilt axle shaft. Will cost you around $200 with labor. On the other hand, if you've shot a picture of the steering rack boots, you've got a much more serious problem. How recent was the power steering flush? If it's done improperly it can blow out the seal on the rack. PS fluid is red. Grease inside a CV joint is usually black.

[ssk1208]

Thanks for your reply RickMN! I went to the dealer today and they replaced the CV boots. But then it is now leaking oil once again. The oil is like you said in red. I have included a picture and the yellow circle indicates the affected area (where the oil is leaking from). The steering flush was done 3 months ago. What is that part inside the yellow circle called?

Thanks so much!

[RickMN]

That's the control arm bushing. No oil in there. It's got to be coming from either the power steering rack, a PS hose, the transmission, or the power steering pump reservoir. Buy a can of brake cleaner and spray down the whole area. When it dries, sprinkle talcum powder on all the parts. In another day, you will be able to track exactly where the leak is starting.

[XDGT03]

Did you have the dealer do the p/s flush? The mopar p/s fluid I just bought from them is now clear, not red. My guess then is trans fluid.

[vipergg]

Check the power steering reservoir , these have a tendancy to corrode and will leak right thru the lower half the reservoir , right thru the casing , specially if you live in a high salt area . I had this replaced on our 96 Voyager once and have read of other people having the same problem.

[XDGT03]

my reservoir is plastic on my 98.

[Rick99]

Since that's on the passenger side and the tranny is on the driver side, it has to be power steering fluid. I think there's a TSB that specifies ATF+4 as power steering fluid (same as transmission fluid), so it should be red. The brake cleaner/powder suggestion is a great idea. You have to realize that it is dripping down to the location that you circled from somewhere else. You may be able to track it if you look carefully with a good flashlight too-- just keep in mind that fluid will run along things-- not necessarily dripping off until the bottom, and it will also tend to blow toward the rear of the vehicle as you drive it.

[mopar4u]

have you checked all your fluids? Something will surely be low.