Second time in a year. Heard a whine today, next thing you know steering weighs a ton and fluid is leaking heavily from under pump on drivers side. Is this an issue with the XJS?

While steering is heavy, was planning on driving this around 60 miles tomorrow morning to bring to my preferred mechanic. Do others see any risk in doing this?

 

The pump is a simple Saginaw pump, as used in GM, Toyota etc cars.

Seal kits are readily available, and we have a "Hi-Temp" seal kit that we sell at work for them.

Failure you describe is NOT common in any form.

The Hi-pressure blow off valve that the Hi-pressure hose threads into has a seal between it and the casing, and they can fail sometimes.

The Hi-pressure hose is the most likely culprit, but the Lo pressure return hose can also do exactly what you describe.

I would NOT be running it without fluid, that will destroy that pump in about 5 minutes.

Removing the belt will also cease the water pump, and that is not good.

 

Doesn't matter now. Overnight parking garage literally blew steering. Column doesn't even seem to be attached now. Assuming a new rack is in order. Just in time for Xmas!!