I am currently a proud owner of a 1988 Volvo 240. Just recently I noticed the steering was making loud whinny noises on big turns. So I checked the power steering reservoir and it was so low I couldn't get any on my finger tips, let alone the dip stick. So I topped it off and and a few days later (today) I checked it again and it went down below the min. How can I go about tracing this massive leak? I notice a consistent drip under the car. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

find where that consistent drip is coming from. its probably the PS hoses, but it could be the PS pump or the steering rack.

odds are pretty good, the oil is everywhere, so spray it down with a cleaner like Gunk, hose it off so its all clean, drive it for a half hour, then inspect for the source of the leaks.

 

Just park the car on a clean piece of ground, and watch where it spots--your leak is above the spot. If you are lucky there won't be much doubt.

 

Thanks guys for the help, after cleaning the area down, I took it for a drive and placed a piece of cardboard down, then a little later I checked and their was power steering fluid leaking out of the power steering hose and spilling it all over down.

 

I need to do the same. All of the sudden I have this major leak. Hoping its just a broken hose.