Experiencing a power steering fluid leak in your Acura TL? You’re not alone. Many 3G Acura TL owners encounter this issue, often around the 75,000-mile mark. If you’ve noticed fluid dripping and suspect your power steering pump, this DIY guide is for you. This repair focuses on replacing the power steering pump O-rings, a common source of leaks, and can save you money compared to a full pump replacement. Rated at a difficulty of 3 out of 10, this job is manageable for most DIYers and can be completed in about two hours with basic tools.
Recently, I noticed a leak dripping onto my oil pan. Upon inspection, the fluid’s color and consistency matched power steering fluid, leading me to investigate the power steering pump. Thinking it was likely the culprit, I decided to tackle replacing all the accessible seals.
Following a recommendation, I pre-ordered a set of power steering pump seals from my local Acura dealership for around $8. These inexpensive O-rings are often the key to stopping those pesky leaks.
The parts I ordered, as shown in the diagrams, included:
- 13 91345-RDA-A01 O-RING (13.0X1.9)
- 14 91347-PAA-A01 O-RING (16.7X1.8)
- 15 91347-P2A-003 O-RING (15.2X2.4)
- 16 91348-P2A-003 O-RING (51.0X2.4)
- 17 91349-P2A-003 SEAL, POWER STEERING PUMP COVER
- 23 91370-SV4-000 O-RING (14.4X1.9)
And here’s what the new O-rings look like in person:
Let’s get started with the repair process. It’s straightforward, just follow these steps:
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Disconnect the Sensor: Locate the small black sensor (likely an engine idle sensor) attached near the power steering pump. Disconnect the electrical plug. It’s held in place by two 5mm Allen bolts.
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Remove the Sensor: Use a 5mm Allen wrench to remove the two bolts securing the sensor. Carefully remove the sensor and set it aside to prevent damage.
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Prepare the Power Steering Hose: Identify the front hose connected to the power steering pump. Before disconnecting it, have sandwich bags, twist ties, or zip ties ready to minimize fluid spillage. Unclamp and detach the hose, being cautious not to spill fluid onto the accessory belt. Place a towel or paper towels underneath to catch any drips. To further reduce mess, you can use a straw to siphon some power steering fluid from the pump reservoir before disconnecting the hose.
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Disconnect the Vacuum Line: Locate the vacuum line connected to the top of the power steering pump, secured by two 10mm bolts. Remove these bolts, disconnect the line, and use a baggie to cover the open end, moving it out of your work area.
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Remove the Serpentine Belt: Use a 14mm socket and ratchet with a breaker bar to relieve tension on the belt tensioner. This will allow you to slip the serpentine belt off the power steering pump pulley. You don’t need to remove the belt entirely from the car, just move it aside, off the pump pulley.
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Unbolt the Power Steering Pump: The power steering pump is held in place by two 12mm bolts. The rear bolt is easier to access with a wrench. Once loosened, it can usually be removed by hand. The front bolt is a bit trickier. You may need to slightly lift the pump to get enough clearance for a standard 6-point 12mm socket and ratchet with a breaker bar. Be careful when breaking this bolt loose to avoid hitting your hand on the pulley. Wiggling the pump can provide better access and leverage while unscrewing the bolt.
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Remove the Pump and Access the O-Rings: With both 12mm bolts removed, the pump should be free. Your engine bay should now look something like this:
Now, on the removed pump, you’ll see four 12mm bolts securing the power steering pump housing. Remove these bolts to expose the O-rings that need replacing.
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Replace the O-Rings: Using a pick, carefully remove the old O-rings. Refer to the diagrams to ensure you place the correct new O-ring in each location. Pay particular attention to O-rings #15, #16, and #17; these are often found to be brittle and hardened, indicating they were likely the source of the leak.
Here’s a closer look comparing the old, flattened, rigid O-rings to the new, pliable ones. Notice the difference – the old ones lose their elasticity and sealing capability over time, leading to leaks.
Remember to lubricate the new O-rings with fresh power steering fluid before installing them. This will help them seat properly and prevent damage during installation.
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Replace the Lower O-Ring: Locate the 10mm Allen bolt underneath the pump. This bolt can be quite tight and may require a breaker bar for removal. Once removed, replace this O-ring as well. While this O-ring might not always be as degraded as the others, replacing it ensures a complete seal.
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Reassemble the Pump and Reinstall: Carefully reassemble the power steering pump housing, ensuring all bolts are tightened evenly. To help seat the O-rings properly during reassembly, you can place the pump housing cover on a flat surface, position the new O-rings, and then press the pump down onto it before bolting it together. Don’t forget to replace O-ring #13 on the inlet fitting, if you haven’t already. Reinstalling the 10mm Allen bolt is also easier with the pump off the car.
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Reinstall the Pump and Components: Reinstall the power steering pump back into the engine bay, tightening the 12mm mounting bolts. Reattach the serpentine belt, vacuum line, sensor, and electrical connector in reverse order of removal. O-ring #23 is for the hose you disconnected earlier; replace this O-ring before reconnecting the hose.
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Clean Up: Use Gorilla tape or similar to cover the pump orifices to prevent debris from entering. Clean the pump and surrounding area with degreaser and a wire brush to remove any spilled power steering fluid.
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Dispose of Old Parts: Here’s the battlefield – the old, worn-out O-rings that were causing the leak!
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Final Check and Refill: Double-check all connections and ensure all components are properly reinstalled. Refill the power steering fluid reservoir to the appropriate level.
This entire process, including cleanup and a coffee break, took about two hours. Hopefully, this guide helps you resolve your power steering leak!
While I can’t definitively say if this fixed the leak reaching my oil pan yet, I’m confident that the power steering pump is now leak-free. Once any residual spilled fluid burns off, I’ll be able to confirm if this O-ring replacement was the complete solution. At the very least, I now have peace of mind knowing my power steering pump is refreshed and not contributing to any leaks. Good luck with your repair!
– Jeremy.
