My power steering became very creaky, all of a sudden one cold, foggy night. The next morning, my power steering fluid was half the maximum level. By night, it was all empty. Clearly I have a leak. The wheel was harder to turn at night than in the morning.
Now, I know to look for leaks, and how to figure out where the actual leak is theoretically (they appear at gaskets and seal locations). But in my Hyundai Sonata 2000, I don't know specifically where the power steering assembly locations or potential leaks would be. The manual obviously doesn't quite have everything in detail, although it would give me some ideas where to look.
1) How can I tell if it's my pump or just a part in the pipes?
2) Would a cold day make gaskets more susceptible to failure for the same amount of pressure (steering wheel turning)?
3) The manual recommends PSF-3 power steering fluid, but can I use something like "Presterone AS-269Y for asian vehicles"?