long story. 2 weeks ago I took the Stratus to a local reputable shop to do an ATX flush. They used the ATF+4 like they are supposed to and everything was fine. The very next day, the Left caliper seized up while driving. I replaced the caliper, both brake pads, and one rotor (the other got turned). While bedding the pads in, I got a lot of smoke from the side with the new rotor. Figured it was machine oil and after further easy driving, no more smoke. On the way home, the cruise control stopped working.
Fast forward to thursday. I took it to get tinted and when I came out of the shop, there was smoke billowing out of the grill. I popped the hood and the smoke dissipated, no fire. The car was parked on a steep upward incline and I think thats part of it. I saw the smoke was coming up over the valve cover from the back, where the exhaust manifold is.
Today, I took the car apart to find out what the hell is dripping onto the heat sheild. I have been warned about PS fluid leaking and causing an engine fire. Apparently this is not unheard of in the stratus community. The engine itself is tucked back so that the exhaust manifold is completely hidden from view by the windsheild cowl. I suspect this is to make room for the ENORMOUS intake manifold and all 3 feet of runners. (damn dodge, you could keep the runner length the same and still have a smaller intake manifold) In order to get a better view of the exhaust manifold, I took off the valve cover. The I saw this:
Cool, bad valve cover gasket. I went to NAPA and got a new gasket kit and took my time cleangin the mating surfaces with a scotchbrite pad to like new condition. I put everything back together and guess what, still smoke. (though not as bad)
while I was doing the exploratory surgery, I saw that the PS high pressure line hose was wet near the union with the hard line. I was hoping that was oil fromt eh valve cover. I wiped the line clean and dry so I could check it again. When I got home, I burned myself checking that union and guess what, its wet on the bottom with clearish fluid. Yep PS fluid. The location of the smoke seems to corrospond to the union location. I guess that settles it, PS line problem. Hopefully I can fix it before I die in a fire.
The worst part is that its the high pressure line. It goes from the pump (which is in a super location. thanks again Dodge, you fuckers) to the rack. In order to get to the rack, I have to drop the crossmember. Sweet.
This better be the last problem with this car for awhile. It has less miles than my 2000 focus and its already had more mechnical problems in 6 months or so we've owned it. Nothing major but still, I never thought I consider the focus the reliable car.
Last edited on Sun Aug 28th, 2005 04:40 am by TXFO
found a small hole int he power steering high pressure line. It bubbled and split. That line was a super pain in the ass to replace. Dodge sucks at life.
I popped the hood and the smoke dissipated, no fire. The car was parked on a steep upward incline and I think thats part of it. I saw the smoke was coming up over the valve cover from the back, where the exhaust manifold is.
The location of the smoke seems to corrospond to the union location. I guess that settles it, PS line problem. Hopefully I can fix it before I die in a fire. 
