2006 Dodge Grand Caravan - my power steering pump hoses have blown FOUR times this cold, cold winter. My mechanic told me that it happens when I start it in the morning, when the fluid rushes into the pump, the lines are too cold and brittle to handle it and they blow. My driveway is pink with fluid.

Van is in the garage now, being fixed yet again. I'd like to use a heating pad to keep it warm (starting the heating pad at 5 AM for a 7 AM start). Any reason I shouldn't do this?

Thanks!

B

 

Kinda need to know what vehicle you are referring to....

 

Sorry - I edited the question. It's a 2006 Grand Caravan.

 

Are you using ATF+4 for the fluid?

 

I'm not sure. I take it to a garage that I trust, and they just replaced the hoses about four weeks ago. I would hope they're using cold-weather fluids.

 

 

nope...the replaced the cooler to a less restrictive design...fluid is still atf+4

for the op...is it the low pressure line that is popping off? the one that is held with a spring clamp. if you paint the tube...install the hose and clamp...once it dries it will never come off...you'll have to cut the hose off with a knife.
'

 

Both lines have popped off. I believe the clamped one has popped off twice and the other one has popped off twice.

My mechanic didn't charge me anything to fix it yesterday. They are trying an experiment, he said, and installed a heavier duty line. He wants me to let him know how it works.

Everything went OK this morning, but it was about 9 degrees, which is considerably warmer than it has been.

Also, I asked the mechanic what he thought of a heating pad, and he said he would be concerned that something would start on fire. So I don't know about that....

 

how did the high pressure line pop off...its held on with a compression nut?