Power steering pump leak?

2019 TRD OR, 68K, pic for fun...



Dear All - I picked up my truck this morning from an oil change, and my local mechanic informed me that he thought my power steering pump or one of the lines might be leaking. I asked if he thought Toyota would cover this work, but with the lift and tires, he anticipated they might balk and say it's the fault of the mods and point back at me.

I think my first course of action, and not to waste time, would be to reach out to Toyota and be upfront regarding the mods to see what they say.

Does anyone have experience with the power steering pump going south and if Toyota covered the work? Any other considerations to keep in mind?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
MJA

 

Have you checked yourself, and can you verify its from the power steering pump? Pics would be helpful. A lot of times though, a timing cover leak will look a lot like a power steering pump leak, since the pump is right in front of the timing cover and it tends to drip down, giving people an impression it's the pump. Not saying this is your case and hopefully it isn't because that definitely the most pricey. Is the pump making any sort of noise? Is your fluid low at all? Have you had to top off?

 

Great question. I just called my mechanic to verify and he said the pump was definitely low on fluid, where-as if it was related to the timing cover, it would have been low on oil, and that was not the case. This is what I was told.

 

I'd try Toyota and see. Maybe the mods caused the leak, maybe not. If you have extended warranty it's worth a shot. If you don't have extended warranty then just remedy the leak and carry on. A 2019 would be out of the bumper to bumper warranty by time.

 

Thank you. I do have the extended warranty.

 

All, just an update. So far Toyota has been great. Dropped off the truck with them and they have added dye to the engine oil to pinpoint the leak source. After 5-600 miles I'm to come back and have the tech take a second look. I've been told, if it indeed is the power steering pump, that the extended warranty would cover parts and labor minus the deductible.

As an aside, during the dye install they gave me a Hybrid Highlander for a loaner. Yikes, talk about a soulless jelly-bean vehicle....

Anyway, hoping for the best!

 

All, just a follow-up and closure, power steering pump was the culprit. Toyota replaced it today. Extended warranty covered everything, no deductible. Would have cost $604.91.

 

Common.