Very cold here in Iowa today, -7 with -20 windchill. Wife went out to start her car and she said she heard what sounded like belt chirp, and then gurgling. I went out to find what appears to be trans or brake fluid all over the ground and leaking from the frame just inside the drivers side front wheel. Needless to say this thing isn't going anywhere. Seems like all I do is spend all my time trying to keep this car running.
What could cause such a failure and eruption of fluid near the firewall drivers side? Am about ready to junk this POS as it is nothing but a constant headache.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

 

Maybe a pipe has burst or something has happened to the seals on the power steering rack. Check the level in the power steering fluid reservoir.

 

Carz, start up the car long enough to put it in drive. If the car moves, then you know it is not the tranny. You can also put your finger in the fluid and if it is red, then it is tranny fluid, if it is clear/green, then it is brake fluid. If it is clear, then you have a power steering issue.

 

Your coolant reservoir is located directly above the area you mentioned.
I have been chasing a slow coolant leak and just found the same wet spots you mention when changing the tires this weekend.

Please update this post when you find the culprit.

 

I just had this exact thing happen to me when pulling into the garage. It initially sounded like a soda can being punctured and i was actually "lucky" enough to look down and see redish fluid gushing in from the firewall... Fantastic!. Sure enough, power steering res empty and power steering assist gone.

I haven't been able to find anything on google specific to the xtype. Any suggestions on where to start in an attempt to isolate the actual failure (ie, hose, seals etc...)? Anyone have a diagram of the power steering system showing hose routing from the res to the rack? A little puzzled because it left a trail of fluid on the right hand side of the garage, but the 'gurgle' and gush is on the opposite side.

On the funny side, i told my ex that i now know for sure the Jag is female due to it's need for attention (haven't been driving it lately). She replies "well there you go. Your car just got her period..."

Any help appreciated...

 

Ok... I've now determined that the leak appears to be coming from the top of the rack itself. i'm assuming there's a seal somewhere at the top of the unit. The majorly unfortunate part of this obviously is that the subframe has to be dropped to replace it. There was an update to the service procedure that require dropping only the rear. Would any one happen to have that procedure?