Mystery Bolt on 91 3fe PS pump

[blinndp]

Im getting a fluid leak from this brass bolt on the back of my power steering pump, shooting atf fluid all over the engine bay. I don’t know the history of the truck and if this is the oem pump or not. Im looking at images online of other pumps, and they don’t have this bolt and just are machined flat.

Does it serve a purpose / is there a proper gasket for it, or should I just lock tite and seal the threads?

Thanks so much

 

[Kernal]

As mentioned, it appears that brass bolt is not factory, maybe the prior owner tried to tap the pump??

Wait for someone who owns a FJ80 (@jonheld) to chime in.

 

[Marco Lau]

There shouldn't be a bolt there, someone tapped it and put a bolt in for sure

 

[blinndp]

Thanks for the input, I’m going to try some ptfe thread sealant and see if it fixes the leak

 

[Kernal]

It appears that the brass bolt does not fit flush with the pump body and (it's hard to tell from the photo), is there a crush washer or copper gasket between the head of the bolt and the body of the pump?? Was the surface of the pump around the hole machined flat (ie: for a good seal with a crush washer or gasket)?

Another option might be to use a threaded plug with a two-part epoxy or permanent thread sealer but also might need to remove the pump (to get the threads dry) for that. And then you'd need to know the thread size/pitch to replace the bolt with a threaded plug.

Edit: @blinndp : if you post up a photo of the bolt showing the threads, maybe next to another known bolt thread size, it might help determine the thread pitch ie: Metric, NPT, BSPT, ---

FWIW: link to various pipe plugs:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[blinndp]

It appears that the brass bolt does not fit flush with the pump body and (it's hard to tell from the photo), is there a crush washer or copper gasket between the head of the bolt and the body of the pump?? Was the surface of the pump around the hole machined flat (ie: for a good seal with a crush washer or gasket)?

Another option might be to use a threaded plug with a two-part epoxy or permanent thread sealer but also might need to remove the pump (to get the threads dry) for that. And then you'd need to know the thread size/pitch to replace the bolt with a threaded plug.

Edit: @blinndp : if you post up a photo of the bolt showing the threads, maybe next to another known bolt thread size, it might help determine the thread pitch ie: Metric, NPT, BSPT, ---

FWIW: link to various pipe plugs:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Thanks so much for the help. I already have it buttoned up so can’t take any photos. When I pulled the bolt, there was some gnasty old thread sealant that came out with it. The bolt was slightly tapered, so I’m assuming it’s a NPT plug. My best guess is the previous owner got the pump 2nd hand or remanufactured from a rig that had a hydro assist set up because I’m not seeing any signs of one being on this vehicle. I used Permatex High Temp Thread Sealant and so far no more leak