I bought a 1997 XK8 yesterday. As part of the deal, I had the seller upgrade the plastic timing chain tensioners, the replace the timing chains and replace the water pump. I drove the cat 600 miles home without incident. This morning I went for a drive and the garage floor showed no fluid leakage. (Amazing for something out of England.) I went for a second drive and the power steering started to go out. Once home I discovered a very constant drip of steering fluid. My suspicion is that the car had sat for a number of years and after being awaken, a tired hose gave up the ghost. I could actually see the dripping from up top with the hood open. I suppose I need to ask: 1. Does my diagnosis of a mere hose make sense? 2. How do I do the job? and 3. Is there a possible gremlin that I'm missing? Thanks for any words of wisdom.
Tad Brenner
1932 and "38 Brough Superior
1952 Vincent
1954 Mercedes 300SL and '57 220S
1997 XK8

 

Welcome to the forum Tad,

I've moved your question from New Member Area to XK8/XKR forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Graham

 

Could be a hose, but just as likely a diaphram in the steering rack. About a year ago my rack sprang a leak as did the first 3 rebuilt ones that we replaced it with. Finally, the fourth was a charm.

 

Bad mouthing England will get you nowhere...just kidding. Where is the leak located? At the front by the radiator, which side? Or just behind the wheels under the engine? There is a metal to rubber connection from the cooler in front of the radiator going to the steering rack that's prone to leak.

 

Thanks Jandreu. The leak is on the driver's side in front toward the radiator. The funny thing is that it was completely dry then suddenly there was a constant drip until the reservoir was dry,
Tad

 

here's the layout of the steering system for your help...

 

It turned out to be a cracked pump. A new one is on the way. During my down time I turned to fixing a stuck float bowl on a leaky Amal carb. I like British problems.
Tad

 

Isn't that kind of redundant?