Just bought and broken already

[drake21]

I just purchase a Red viper 2003 srt(13,000 miles) and it is already broken When I pulled out of the garage I noticed a puddle of red fluid on the ground. Any idea what this could be?...power steering fluid? I hope this is not expensive because I do not have a warranty

 

[ViperGeorge]

Sounds like power steering if it is under engine as opposed to trans. That ***** dude.

 

[ROCKET62]

Sounds like Power Steering Fluid - almost - as the Viper uses ATF +4 (automatic trans fluid) for the power steering and to run the cooling fan. Hopefully it is just a loose connection. Good Luck.

 

[BlackSnake99]

Where are you? Maybe someone could help or recommend a good tech.

 

[drake21]

The problem is I am located in Ottawa Ontario Canada...so it may be a little far for most of you. Anyone know of any techs in this area?

 

[99 R/T 10]

I would try to spot where the leak is in relation to where it was parked. If it out of the front of the engine, then probably P/S fluid. If out of the center of the car, possibly something else. Did you check the P/S fluid reservoir?

 

[BlackSnake99]

http://forums.viperclub.org/canada-ontario/611900-any-ottawa-viper-owners-online.html

Place to start looking for help

 

[1HOTV10]

More than likely it is the return hose on steering box It is all connected P/S and Cooling fan.
It is a bummer to get to. Feel the two hoses In and out one will move back and forth. Just hunker it down.
The same thing happened to me and I had to replace the P/S pump because I was out to far
to call a Tow and the fluid ran out! No P/S no cooling fan. (prey for no traffic) This is if the spill feels oily. If it smells
and tastes like water then it is your water pump. Red coolent!. Easy fix did that too! I was taught old school ( learn your car smells, lube feels and tastes )
It is all under the hood Happy Eating!

 

[FastZilla]

...I was taught old school ( learn your car smells, lube feels and tastes )
It is all under the hood Happy Eating!

That's too funny!!! I remember many tranny fluid changes in the old TH350/400's and C4/6's, the good `ole 727 with NO drain plug. Always got that stream of ATF down your arm to your face, down your back, in your mouth. The anti-freeze change via cracking the lower hose (no drain rooster - can't type the real word - obviously) - always down the arm like above or splashing off something into your mouth. Eating a sandwich in the middle of a brake job, diff lube change, bearing re-pack. Bologna, Wonder bread, mustard, Go-Jo and automotive fluids...now that's a lunch!

Then there's always the siphoning Dad's gas at midnight...yum!

 

[drake21]

I need to refill the Power Steering reservoir as it is now empty and I need to make it to the shop. Should I really use ATF +4? The owners manual states Use Mopar power steering fluid (do not use ATF).

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Power steering fluid used to have more extreme pressure additives than ATF, but new ATF+4 is more highly formulated and will be fine.

 

[Steve-Indy]

drake21, your 03 Viper did not come from the factory with the red ATF+4...but, from 2004 til present it is the factory fill...noting that the 2004, 2005, and 2006 Service Manuals still said "no ATF"...incorrectly!!!

You might want to check to see if your 2003 Viper had the cooling module recall performed as it pertained to approximately 1300 units.

 

[PacificSEASnake]

"Mopar Power Steering Fluid" is ATF+4, at least that what is says on the container I have in the garage.

Check around the power steering pump and/or the fan motor for wet spots. Most likely will be one of the fittings for the pump to fan lines. The fittings are not servicable, and the hose assembly is about $150 if I remember correctly. It's a pretty simple fix if you want to tackle it yourself.

 

[Viper X]

My guess, high pressure hose from power steering pump. Very common failure in 2003.

Not a big deal and you can replace it yourself if you are mechanically inclined.

 

[Asp Man]

It seems to me that there have been a ton of questions from non-members here of late, or is it just me? Help me with this, solve that, what is this, etc.
If ever there was a reason to join the VCA this is it. There are lots of members in your area, and I'm sure someone would be more than happy to help.
Sorry if it sounds like I am "ranting" on you, but there are advantages to joining up.

 

[KNG SNKE]

It seems to me that there have been a ton of questions from non-members here of late, or is it just me? Help me with this, solve that, what is this, etc.
If ever there was a reason to join the VCA this is it. There are lots of members in your area, and I'm sure someone would be more than happy to help.
Sorry if it sounds like I am "ranting" on you, but there are advantages to joining up.

You are just ranting. The VCA is not for everyone and just because your a member does not give you the right to complain on the question. If that is your view then keep it your view and do not offer your free advice. It took me a long time to be a member and part of it was because of posts like that. After I saw how good the community can be I decided to join, but your not proving that.

 

[Asp Man]

You are just ranting. The VCA is not for everyone and just because your a member does not give you the right to complain on the question. If that is your view then keep it your view and do not offer your free advice. It took me a long time to be a member and part of it was because of posts like that. After I saw how good the community can be I decided to join, but your not proving that.

Thanks for validating the point I was trying to make. If you want to make this into a P ing match, take it to PM, your response was unsolicited.

Perhaps membership should come with the car?

 

[KNG SNKE]

Thanks for validating the point I was trying to make.

It was not just the members and their advice but mostly and I mean mostly the service of vendors, Specifically Partsrack, that helped out when needed. When I was asking my questions I did not have anyone to cry about it in my thread.

So yes, halfway validating your point but I do not agree with your abrasiveness. If they want to join, they will join. No one forces you to respond to their threads.

Enough highjacking. If you had to fill your PS reservoir then double check all your lines. The PS system is not that large and should be easy to isolate.

 

[dans69ss]

It was not just the members and their advice but mostly and I mean mostly the service of vendors, Specifically Partsrack, that helped out when needed. When I was asking my questions I did not have anyone to cry about it in my thread.

So yes, halfway validating your point but I do not agree with your abrasiveness. If they want to join, they will join. No one forces you to respond to their threads.

Enough highjacking. If you had to fill your PS reservoir then double check all your lines. The PS system is not that large and should be easy to isolate.

Amen bro. This site is a great resource for information. It's all about the car.

 

[drake21]

I brought it to the shop and the tech told me that the leak is coming from the cooling fan.(and that it is hydraulic or something). He looked into the part cost and it is over 1000$ CDN! Needless to say I am really pissed as I just bought the car and I am upgrading from a s2000 (which by the way did not cost me anywhere close to this in 3 years of driving) Anyone have this go on them? It is a 2003 and only has about 13,000 miles

 

[PDCjonny]

When I bought my '98 GTS the tranny went within 6 months, to the tune of $2500.00 repair.
Buy used and out of warranty, you role the dice. Life.

 

[Phun70]

I'm betting that by cost he meant his cost plus his mark-up. Just so you know, stardard parts mark-up in most areas is cost X2.5 or 2.7. I would strongly recommend calling chuck tator or parts rack and find out what YOU can get it for and then install it yourself. If you are the least bit mechanically inclined, then it should be no problem.

I brought it to the shop and the tech told me that the leak is coming from the cooling fan.(and that it is hydraulic or something). He looked into the part cost and it is over 1000$ CDN! Needless to say I am really pissed as I just bought the car and I am upgrading from a s2000 (which by the way did not cost me anywhere close to this in 3 years of driving) Anyone have this go on them? It is a 2003 and only has about 13,000 miles

 

[KNG SNKE]

I brought it to the shop and the tech told me that the leak is coming from the cooling fan.(and that it is hydraulic or something). He looked into the part cost and it is over 1000$ CDN! Needless to say I am really pissed as I just bought the car and I am upgrading from a s2000 (which by the way did not cost me anywhere close to this in 3 years of driving) Anyone have this go on them? It is a 2003 and only has about 13,000 miles

Ok don't get all crazy yet. Let's think this through. You were told the leak is coming from the cooling fan, it is red fluid, and he claims it is hydralic or something? 3 things that do not tie together.

Now what we know is fact. Fluid is red, check. Power Steering Resevoir was low, check. Power Steering fluid can be red, maybe.

Jack your car up and put it on stands. Refill your resevoir. Start your motor, put safety goggles on and have someone turn the wheels side to side. I do believe the vehicle has a power steering cooler which quite possibly has a loose or corroded connection. Don't be afraid of looking around your car. The loop for the power steering is very small and should consist of a resevoir, a cooler and a pump for the most part. Not a whole lot to check. You probably don't even need to jack the car up. Get a good flashlight and shine in the front of the motor. Dont see anything then have someone move the wheels while you do it.

 

[fireball]

Tip. When looking for the source of leaks start at the drip then look forward and higher until there's no more oil.

Leaks almost always drip down and backwards. It seems evident to say this but I've seen many people miss this basic comcept.

Don't buy any parts until you are sure of the source. Random replacement of parts can get expensive very quickly.

BTW, the S2000 is a very nice car (especially at the track) but it's not a Viper. Double the HP and I dunno - triple the torque? It's going to cost more. It just is.

You must have heard the old saying. "Speed costs money - how fast do you want to go?"

You could save a fortune on maintenence and get a Corolla. I don't think you should - but it will cost less to maintain.

Greg

 

[Viper Specialty]

I brought it to the shop and the tech told me that the leak is coming from the cooling fan.(and that it is hydraulic or something). He looked into the part cost and it is over 1000$ CDN! Needless to say I am really pissed as I just bought the car and I am upgrading from a s2000 (which by the way did not cost me anywhere close to this in 3 years of driving) Anyone have this go on them? It is a 2003 and only has about 13,000 miles

If you need a cooling module, let me know... I am sure I can locate a good used one for you for less than 1000cdn.

However, you would be strongly encouraged to inspect the old one before removal to determine the cause of the leak, it could be a hose or fitting. Lastly, you need to make sure you did not have an affected recall car without having the recall done- you may be able to get the recall done, which INCLUDES a new fan module.

The cooling systems are for the most part trouble free. There were some recalls early on due to a manufacturing defect, and have been some hose and pump failures on later cars (same as Gen-2), but that's usually it. Also, you can generally tie together multiple failures with techs not thoroughly cleaning the system out of metallic particulate after a failure, that's where they got a bad name from- the guys who have had 5 failures on one car. If you cross the "multiple" guys off the list, it has been a pretty damn reliable system... and there is certainly nothing out there that can touch it for cooling ability.

 

[drake21]

Yes maybe I did not explain it right...he told me it was the power steering cooler.(he showed me the leak and it is coming from a silver part to the right of the reservoir)

 

[KNG SNKE]

Yes maybe I did not explain it right...he told me it was the power steering cooler.(he showed me the leak and it is coming from a silver part to the right of the reservoir)

Ok now we are getting somewhere. So now we know the leak is coming from the silver part on the right of the resevoir. Your best bet now is to take a photo of where the leak is coming from and source out the part from one of our local vendors. I am not saying it will cost less then 1000 but these vendors on here are great and will definitely get you set.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Yes maybe I did not explain it right...he told me it was the power steering cooler.(he showed me the leak and it is coming from a silver part to the right of the reservoir)

Snap a quick picture of what he "pointed to", and circle the item/area in question with the paint program on your computer and e-mail it to me, and I will tell you what it is/does/needs to be done.

 

[ViperGal]

The problem is I am located in Ottawa Ontario Canada...so it may be a little far for most of you. Anyone know of any techs in this area?

Did you call the wizard? Not local but you may be surprised how much he can help.

 

[Chrissss]

It seems to me that there have been a ton of questions from non-members here of late, or is it just me? Help me with this, solve that, what is this, etc.
If ever there was a reason to join the VCA this is it. There are lots of members in your area, and I'm sure someone would be more than happy to help.
Sorry if it sounds like I am "ranting" on you, but there are advantages to joining up.

Agreed.....