Sudden loss of power steering (97 honda accord)
 

Today when I pulled out to go to work, I noticed a strange sound when turning the wheel left or right. By the time I pulled into work, I had no power steering and the reservoir was empty.
There was a trail of fluid as I backed into my parking spot and something was burning off the hot exhaust. I was still dark out so I couldn't really see what was going on. Later on I looked at the pump and that was not leaking so I'm assuming maybe a got a hole in one of the lines or the rack and pinion is shot. Is the rack and pinion located over the exhaust or any of the lines that could drip on it to make it smoke?

It's a 97 accord SE with the 2.2 engine.

welcome to the forum.. the power steering line goes almost around the engine top front to the back lower. if there is a pin hole leak, it can shoot a stream onto the exhaust system. need to refill the system and run to check for the leak. wipe all wet areas first before a run leak check.

Thanks! I am going to have a garage look at it this week. It's too cold to be crawling under cars right now...lol I am hoping that it just needs a new line and not a new rack and pinion. I have never heard of the rack going bad on Hondas before, so I am optimistic

Well, I decided to take a look under the car to see what was going on. One of the rubber boots on the rack and pinion is torn and I'm not sure, but it also appears that the metal line to the rack has a small hole in it. I'm assuming that one of these is blowing power fluid onto the exhaust.

Is the rack unit ruined because the boot is torn, or can a new rubber boot be put on? I'm going to guess and say the rack is ruined because road debris has compromised the unit by now. I'm probably looking at a new rack and pinion and possibly a new pressure hose to the rack.

there is a boot kit that can be purchased to replace a boot. if the rack and pinion is smooth when you are steering it with fluid, it may just be bled and good to go. loss of power steering is due to low fluid. fill it up and take it to the shop. unless you decide to fix it in the cold.

It goes to the shop on Thursday. Is it ok to drive it that way until then? Should I fill the fluid or leave it empty to avoid it leaking on exhaust?

on the side of safety, fluid on the exhaust is not safe can cause a fire. no fluid will cause a manual steering condition, this may also cause more damage to the power steering system. if it were me, I would not drive it and look for an alternate ride.

Took that car in to get the power steering fixed. They said it needs a new rack and pinion and that it would take at least 8 hours to do and cost $1,000. They told me they didn't want to do the job. Does it really take that long to change a rack on a 97 Honda Accord with a 2.2 liter engine?

would it hurt if I just drove it the way it is without power steering fluid in it until I found somebody else to do it

if the power steering pump is disconnected, the pump will not be destroyed. you will be driving on manual steering, average cost to replace the rack and pinion is 280.00 to 533.00 labor. parts est 655.00 - 1295.00. I have found on line rack and pinion from 150-180.00. you can go on line and check, also if you watch the youtube you can change it yourself if you have mech skills, jacks, and stands.