Hey guys,
I have a '97 in good driving shape. I've had to replace a few things on it but as most other Camry owners know, it's reliable as hell. It's my first car and recently I have become very interested in doing repairs and modifications myself, but as such a newbie I don't know where to start.
I have a leak in my power steering and I need help diagnosing what exactly to do. In the period of about a week the oil reservoir will go from the High cool mark to the Low cool mark. I have tried an add in that would stop leaking in any seals or bearings. Did nothing. I can't really tell where its leaking, I haven't gotten underneath it yet and I've put cardboard under it to catch the oil but it leaks everywhere on it. No one spot in particular.

Where do I start?

 

Congrats on getting into working on your own car. It really feels good to get the job done yourself and save money.

I'd recommend getting a shop manual. They can really help out with just about any procedure.

Good luck

 

Typically leak areas are the pump housing seal where the drive shaft enters, high pressure hose, seal at end of steering housing (check for PS fluid inside boot at the end of the steering housing).

 

A leaking engine or transmission will leave telltale spots, you need to fix this soon. Figuring out where the leak is coming from by there you can think of solution.

 

buy contrast dye and do dye test on the system. bullet proof. was engine well before doing it though. top and underneath.

Now, congratulations on brave decision to stop being brainwashed and getting into your own repairs.

Few words of wisdom though:

1. BUY REPAIR MANUAL!!

2. DON'T FIX IT IF IT AIN'T BROK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

this is why I said what I said:

recently I have become very interested in doing repairs and modifications myself, but as such a newbie I don't know where to start.

 

Good, to me, i am a new newbie, and i want to learn more about my interest too.