After dynoing my car along with the local porsche club, I had a sudden leak of hydraulic fluid when I was driving back home. It happened all of a sudden, the power steering and clutch become stiff. I know the hydraulic fluid controls these 2 component, what could be wrong? I am hoping it is a hose fitting issue, but could it be worse?

Now the car is in my mechanic shop hoist and he will take a look at it tommorrow. Before the problem is diagnosed, if the mechanic takes the car in & out of the shop without the hydraulic fluid, would it make things worse?
Please share some thoughts if you have experienced this in the past. Thanks.

 

A couple of weeks ago, a week or two after I upgraded my clutch, I had a similar problem. Came home one day, and hydraulic fluid (transparent, but slightly greenish in color - not irridescent like anti-freeze) started to leak out from between the rear wheels. Pretty much drained all at once, about a quart. Turned out to be the O-ring on the clutch actuator valve. Mechanic said it was brittle. Very quick and easy repair. I had it towed to the shop, but I think the fluid was only to assist the clutch and power steering, so I could have probably driven it if necessary.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

Same exact thing happened to me. After the clutch install, 2 weeks, big leak, o-ring for the power steering. Man, that's weird.

 

I have a feeling that one is supposed to replace that O-ring when one installs a new clutch...

 

So, I am curious. What was the diagnosis from the mechanic?

 

Clutch hose, part # 993 423 377 09. Hopefully this is solve the problem.

 

There are multiple possibilities. I have had a few issues. First of all, if your car is a 2001 the routing for the hydro line from the resevoir will allow it to chafe on the engine block and quickly leak a green hydro fluid called Pentosin( the routing was changed for 2002 and on). It is used for both the power steering and the clutch assist. This happened to me and it sucked but I got it done. Second, there was once a TSB on the clutch assist line that is rubber near the tranny. You can look for the leak right behind the alternator if it is the latter. That is the chafing issue. Let me know if you need help.

 

Had leak that I saw in my garage. Had maintenance shop look into, they replaced the resovoir with 997tt model. Apparantly common issue in 2001 builds. Cost $800 for part...alltogether like $1700. I dont wish this issue on anyone!

 

I don't want to create a panic at the disco here, but If you suspect you have a Clutch/Power steering Hydraulic leak, you do NOT want to drive the car... Pentosin, the fluid that is in these systems is VERY flamable and will also cause more damage if it comes into contact with ANY rubber hoses, like water lines, or any CV boots...

Park it and have it towed. You could risk other damage or burning the car to the ground.

Mike

 

+1 To Mikelly's comment. If you search - there was a 6speed member who posted pics of his (I think it was his) car after driving with a minor leak and it burned. If you google "pentosin" and "flammable" you can fine more links to people who's cars caught on fire from a pentosin leak. All it has to do spray a hot part in the car and then you'll wish you had an extinguisher.