Power Steering Pump leak, What is this hole for?

[danman78]

I thawed my car after a freeze... and all the PS fluid came out with the ice and snow.. Not sure what happened I put some more fluid it to see where it was leaking from. It ran thru as quickly as I could pour it. It is all flowing from that hole it the upper right, at first I thought it was a drain plug that worked its way out, but I cant find a part on any of the diagrams it just shows a hole.....??? can anyone tell me what plugs this hole? is there something internal that is broken allowing it to leak thru this hole? or is it just a plug? The fluid is defiantly coming out this hole.

 

[robertaleon]

I believe that's the back side of the flow control valve. Most likely not the source of the leak, most likely the pressure port union connection or from higher up. The rear cover o ring is notorious for leaking on these as well as hoses. Rebuild kit is cheap(er) and fairly easy to do. Getting the pump out will be the hardest part minus bearing replacement. New pump is pricey ($300 range).

 

[DylanICON]

you often see caped off holes that are needed as part of the machining process to get cross hole passages drilled

 

[danman78]

Looking a new part I found on a third party parts site there is a plug there... Mine is missing.. it is leaking from other spots and the hoses are sweating really badly so I am going to replace it and the hoses...

NEW PROBLEM!!!

Look at the pic... at the top left I noticed a CRACK in the motor mount bracket.... I totally would not have seen it except for taking this pic and looking it over.... The shop that swapped my engine did not tightened down that motor mount bolt.. it was about half an inch off the bracket. before I fixed that the vibration must have cracked the bracket ... I hate those guys...

 

[danman78]

looks like I cropped it off on the post.. I will repost..

 

[Abalonehunter]

My pump blew this past weekend and I found that the same hole that danman78 mentions above lost its plug or whatever should have been there, however I found a small plug or valve with an o-ring that looks as though it should have gone there as the flat back was painted black, I'm just not sure how to keep it in the hole and will likely replace the pump...