Ok so do we have two power steering lines? I recently got one replaced because it developed a big leak.. 2 weeks later I hear the motor whining because it ran out of fluid, its still leaking..

They tell me its the other? line now.. How likely is it that they just didnt do the first one correct?

 

I'd bet they didn't get it right the first time and fitting on new line is loose .

 

There are 2 lines going to the pump, it's a closed loop system. The pump sends pressurized fluid to the rack via one line then it comes back via a separate return line to the reservoir.

That's a lot of fluid to lose in a couple weeks, didn't you notice anything odd?

As far as which line is leaking, if it's that bad, you should be able to dump some more fluid in, start it up, and see where it's coming out of to see of it's the line they replaced or not.

 

Here is why I never noticed anything leaking.. The (whats it called?) engine sub frame seems to hold about 2-3 quarts of fluid before it starts leaking onto the ground.. They cleaned that out when they replaced the previous line so it had all the time to fill back up and I never saw a leak because of it..

And theyre telling me its from my headers hitting the line but heres the thing, my engine doesnt move at all.. I clamped it down at the dogbones so there is NO movement.. Could I be wrong here??

 

The hook up for both lines is on the driver's side, just under where the steering column goes through the firewall. So both lines pass right along the back of the cradle area (past the down pipe area) to get over to the pump. So its certainly possible if you rubbed through one that you rubbed through both.

If youre concerned its install error, it should be very easy to check - add some fluid and watch where it leaks out. If its leaking from either end (at the rack or at the pump), then it's an install error. If its leaking at the down pipe area right in the middle, that's a wear through spot (and I don't see anyway a brand new line could wear through in 2 weeks unless they just stuck some JB weld over the hole or something).

Are the lines touching the headers / downpipe at all? Even with solid dog bone connections, there is still vibration in the engine, so if its touching it can wear through.

 

Whoa, so there is no drain plug on the Monte Carlo?

I guess it it is what it is.

Good to know.
Thank you!

 

If your pressure line was leaking, you should see fluid on the engine at the pump and/or ground under the rack.. That hose runs from the pump to the rack and not over the cradle.
The return line is also a cooler and runs along the cradle. I've uploaded an image from Rockauto. Note that it has several rubber hose connections. If it was replaced and the system was not bled properly, eventually air would make it into the pump reservoir and cause noise.