Power steering leak

[RoyK]

My 2001 NH TC-29D is squirting PS oil out where the outlet pipe connects to the pump. I tightened the fitting and it still does this. It just started happening out of the blue. Even with the engine off and no pressure, it drip, drip, drips even after sitting all night long. I'm perplexed by this. It is leaking from between the nut and the pipe. Help! This is grass growing season at it finest and I'm grounded!

 

[RickB]

My 2001 NH TC-29D is squirting PS oil out where the outlet pipe connects to the pump. I tightened the fitting and it still does this. It just started happening out of the blue. Even with the engine off and no pressure, it drip, drip, drips even after sitting all night long. I'm perplexed by this. It is leaking from between the nut and the pipe. Help! This is grass growing season at it finest and I'm grounded!

The tube is cracked at the flare and needs to be replaced.

 

[RoyK]

If there is a crack, I sure can't detect it! Pipe is disconnected and it looks good as new.

 

[backdoor]

I had about the same problem on my older Ford tractor, same place on the PS probably. I unhooked the flare nut and slid it up the pipe a few inches, wrapped several turns of cotton string around the flared area, and let the threaded nut pull the string tightly to the flare. Been there with no leaks for about 15 years. I used pure cotton string about 1/16th inch thick, like you might tie packages with. You might have to try more or less string to get enough but not too much for the nut to still tighten up.

 

[RoyK]

I put an O-ring on it and it still leaks. Guess I have to tear the whole SOB out. Ugh!

 

[RoyK]

Backdoor, thank you! I removed the boogered up O-ring and put on several wraps of cotton string and it seems to be working!!!! What an awesome and cheap, actally free, trick!