ATF Fluid leak around air con pump.

[Neil48is]

Just noticed a puddle of ATF fluid under the car this morning. Started the car up and heard a whining noise from around the PS pump and also a burning smell !! Got the covers off underneath,no fluid around PS pump but the underside of the aircon pump and surrounding area are covered in ATF fluid.Anyone got any ideas ??? Its a 4.8is by the way.

[JCL]

There are only two sources of ATF up there, the cooling lines running from the transmission up to the radiator, and the power steering system. If you hear a pump noise, it sounds like the steering. Is the level low? That would be a quick way to determine. Leak could be the pump, any one of the lines, or the steering gear.

[1stE53]

Happened to me as well. Started engine > weird sound > rough idle > burning smell. Checked under vehicle and was full of ATF fluid. I took off the skid plate and looked for a good 5 minutes at everything. Could not find source of leak (fluid everywhere). Started car again with neighbor's help. I had the front end on jack stands. Turned wheel left and right. Neighbor found source of leak. It was a hose from the power steering system. $50 in parts and 2 hours later I had it replaced and now have new fluid as well.
There is some write up threads about power steering lines here. I learned about them from this site. Good luck

[mysweetx5]

Glad that you have fixed the problem (1stE53), but you also mentioned that you've changed the (power steering fluid) could you tell me what type of fluid did you put in there?? Otherwise mine says on top: ATF ONLY and there's alot of speculation/confusions about this treads.

(01 X5 4.4i)

[JCL]

The extensive discussions about ATF are in reference to the transmissions. The 3.0 and 4.4 use different transmissions, with different fluid specs.

Power steering is not at all demanding of an application. The ATF is just being used as a hydraulic fluid, the friction characteristics are not important as they are in a transmission. Essentially, you can use any clean ATF, or you can get power steering fluid at the dealer if you want. If it is red (and it probably is) then I would just use Dexron.

[mysweetx5]

Thanks alot JCL! now you give me some idea about this issue.

(01 X5 4.4i M62)

[1stE53]

Yes, I used a quart of the same stuff the local dealership uses. Never hear of the brand though; Powerr ATF. I wanted something with BMW or Mobile or something like that. But as easy as it was, I may change again in a year with something a little higher end.