Power Steering - Air Control Valve

[super90]

Had a strange set of events that were solved by replacing the power steering air control valve. Fortunately my local independent knew exactly what the problem was; I was baffled.

Symptoms:

1. Losing p/s fluid to the extent that I had to refill the reservoir every couple of days
2. No p/s fluid on the floor of the garage
3. No noticeable p/s fluid leaking from the rack or p/s lines
4. White smoke comes from the exhaust on startup whether the truck was hot or cold.

As I understand it, this valve senses when the p/s pump is put under load (while turning hard one direction) and then, via two vacuum lines to the intake, will bump up the idle to compensate for the additional load. When the seals go bad on the valve, p/s fluid gets sucked into the intake.

It's an $85 part on discount via your favorite OEM Toyota parts guy. A bit more when paying the shop....

I will put in a plug for Craig Davenport of Davenport Motors at the original location on Inwood Dr. in Dallas. He was recommended by Josh at Baertrax (another great resource in Dallas) and Craig is a great guy and has a beautifully restored FJ40. Craig knew the problem, had seen it many times on other Toyota and Lexus models, and had me back on the road in just a few hours.

Hope this helps someone.

By the way, truck is a 2003 with right at 150k miles on it.

 

[Flump]

Had the exact same thing happen on my 04 UZJ100 at the same mileage.

 

[super90]

Did you replace it yourself or have it done? I want to do this on my other 100-series. Wondering if I can just spin the new one on or if I have to drain the system a bit to replace this part? I'm guessing draining isn't necessary. Forgot to ask Craig when I left the shop yesterday.

 

[Flump]

I replaced mine, very easy just spin it off, butmake note of which side the vac lines got to on the valve. I drained mine down to do it