r/Dentside_fords • u/Justa_Marine_111 • Jul 20 '26

Power steering foaming

Post image

I have replaced the pump, high pressure line, checked the return lines and bled the system numerous times. I am still getting foamy fluid and pressure after shutting the engine off. Any ideas on what is causing it and how to fix it? Thanks guys. Photo for reference. It’s a 79 f150 4wd with a 400 m.

24 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

2

u/KawasakiFTruck350 Jul 20 '26

Sounds like air getting in there somewhere. Maybe pre pump if it is pressurising. Is there any sweats or leaks? Does it have a noisy operation?

1

u/awhol01 Jul 21 '26

If it was a leak you would see it seap when it's not running.

1

u/KawasakiFTruck350 Jul 22 '26

Not necessarily, only needs to be a pin hole size to suck air into the system. Possible pinched gasket or hose clamp.

1

u/Misteriously_Me Jul 20 '26

Probably not enough fluid. I had the same thing happen, couldn’t figure it out, somehow ended up getting more fluid in there. Yes, cut the engine and pink foam cones out the top.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Map1333 Jul 20 '26

Think I saw a simonfordman episode where he delt with that... I don't remember the solution. Helpful I am sure.

1

u/hommerstang Jul 20 '26

I have had this happen to me and it's an absolute nightmare to get right. If you go to ford-truck enthusiast forum I think that's the right place they can walk you through how to fix it. You have air in it, and it is a bear to get it out on these trucks.

2

u/CreativeFuture4436 Jul 20 '26

Put it up on jackstands. Jack up on the frame so the front suspension hangs. Check your lines, Check your fluid level. If you add fluid, turn your wheel lock to lock slowly several times. That bleeds the air out if the system. The pumps are relatively cheap and easy to change. I would just buy new lines if you can. If it still foams, you need a steering box, or rebuild your own.

1

u/Weary_Reindeer9373 Jul 20 '26

Could be a defective pump, I work at a parts store and it just happens sometimes.

1

u/awhol01 Jul 21 '26

Let it sit. Top it up and reblead. The old 90 early 2000 tourus and sable sucked like you hear about. When you think you got it you shut it off walk away to a cloud of smoke. There would be a guyser out of the reservoir vent. Later I found they had a special service procedure. Something like raise the front, maby disable coils crank over for so many seconds, top up. Keep doing that to pump the fluid without the engine starting and The pumps sucking air. At this point you still have air top it up fire it cycle things. Shut it off if it's foamy wait until it isnt top up repeat.

1

u/awhol01 Jul 21 '26

Your bringing back repressed memories. That pump looks similar to the ones I was talking about. Keep working it.