P/Steering fluid leak

[Carrots]

Since topping up my p/steering fluid last week I've noticed a semi-constant puddle underneath the car which appears to be coming from that area. The reservoir has dropped at least 1/3rd and the car hasn't been driven. I've taken it to my local shop (who have done good work for me before) and they have recommended having the transmission pulled and rebuilt. Now that may well be good advice, but I've noticed nothing odd at all with the shifting and rebuilding the whole thing seems a little premature if I could just have some leaky seals. Can you offer me some advice on this? I'm merchanically inept so won't consider pulling or rebuilding it myself, but if it's just a little leak then I'm sure I can jump on that (unless it will need to be pulled to fix even that).  I've seen comments along the lines of just get the whole thing done but several hundred dollars could be much better spent by me at the moment if at all possible. If I do need a rebuild how long could I potentially ignore it for? Thanks folks

[resq302]

A quick remedy that worked for me once was to put just a little brake fluid in the power steering reservoir.  What happens is that the brake fluid will cause the seals to swell a little, therefore, stopping the leak.  Usually, this is only a temporary fix.

[Carrots]

Ok thank you. I've been told that they also sell p/steering fluid which has additives in it which pretty much does the same thing to the seals. Any other comments or suggestions for a longer term solution anyone? Rebuilding the transmission to fix a leak seems to me to be akin to hitting a Macadamia with a hammer. Appreciate it. 

[Ghoste]

Why does the shop think it's a transmission leak?

[62 Max]

Since topping up my p/steering fluid last week I've noticed a semi-constant puddle underneath the car which appears to be coming from that area. The reservoir has dropped at least 1/3rd and the car hasn't been driven. I've taken it to my local shop (who have done good work for me before) and they have recommended having the transmission pulled and rebuilt. Now that may well be good advice, but I've noticed nothing odd at all with the shifting and rebuilding the whole thing seems a little premature if I could just have some leaky seals. Can you offer me some advice on this? I'm merchanically inept so won't consider pulling or rebuilding it myself, but if it's just a little leak then I'm sure I can jump on that (unless it will need to be pulled to fix even that).  I've seen comments along the lines of just get the whole thing done but several hundred dollars could be much better spent by me at the moment if at all possible. If I do need a rebuild how long could I potentially ignore it for? Thanks folks

It really isn't all that hard to determine which one is leaking.If you are losing power steering fluid I would have second thoughts about your transmission shop!

[Carrots]

Thats exactly what I have been thinking. If it had just been any old place I would have just brushed it off but these guys have looked after me of late and so I have no reason to believe that they would be pulling my leg. Perhaps I wasn't as clear as I should have been (with my English accent I have even had trouble asking for water in some restaurants so whilst unlikely that's possible at least !) Anyway leaving the transmission to one side with a p/steering fluid leak what can I do to put it right? I'm sure it has to be that as my reservoir is getting lower and lower. If the actual bottle had a leak Id expect it to be coming out in one foul swoop, not drip dripping. The hoses look OK, and so the seals are my hunch.