Long story short- R+P is cracked/leaking. I'm on disability for another few weeks. Is it feasible to unhook the hoses, join them together, and refill the system to keep the pump from burning up? I'd plug the R+P just to keep crud out until it's replaced. Alt- find crack and seal it somehow (at least to a drip, rather than just about as fast as I can pour it in). Sealer suggestions? JB weld? RS Grey? I cannot afford to fix it until probably August, and constantly refilling it is killing me $ wise.
TIA!

I dont see why routing the pressure line back into the pump would be an issue. Pump doesnt care how its routed as long as there is fluid and flow.

as far as a temp fix of the leak itself all depends on WHERE its leaking

I dunno, the fluid returning to the pump is usually at a lower pressure, dumping full pressure into the reservoir might cause turbulence problems.

Thanks for the replies- it's my only running vehicle for now. I haven't looked at it myself to know how big the crack is and where exactly, yet. Figured bypassing and retaining fluid would help prevent more damage (pump).

the place where the pressure/return lines are bolted to the rack often times collect dirt and crud, causing the lines to rust out over time. i have fixed quite a few leaks in that spot over the years. it looks like the rack is leaking there, but it turns out to be one, or both lines.
what is frustrating, is the lines look perfect going to the rack and pump. remove the clamp, and the lines look terrible !
hope this helps.

Thanks for the tip!

True, but considering the options, I doubt he has a choice. ramped up fluid sure beats no fluid

Hook the hoses together for the pump. You also need to hook the hoses together at the rack, you ca'n plug the rack hoses, or the rack won't want to move.
Back in the old days, this broke circle track guy used to run power steering cars without the power steering connected. He often pulled the pump, but that guy discovered the hoses at the box (and later at the rack) needed to be hooked together, or be left open. Gene

That was my learning quota for the day! Will be sure to do that if it's a crack and not a rotted hose end as mentioned!

make sure you let us know what it turns out to be.
one thing i forgot to mention, if it turns out to be a bad line/hose, the only solution is to replace it. i have tried several methods to replace just a section of the line, and met with limited success. there is a lot of pressure there, and most lines are fairly cheap on rock auto, so just replace 'em if they need it.

I'll follow up for sure. Hope to get lift time this week, before I go back to work...

BTTP- No 300 progress to report yet. Just getting back to work, dealing with pain ( heel injury from auto accident is why I was on disability).

No repairs as of yet. Still working to catch up from being off. Maybe by Labor Day?