Power Steering Kaboom, now making things worse?

[supa_fox]

Hey Y'all,
So right when I am loading my little girl into the van, I notice a groady brown fluid coming out of her ( the van not the baby, for a change)
Had a quick look, not engine oil.... its -20.... f@#* it lets get my little girl home, thinking PS fluid....
Yep, it is, steering was stiff (stuck to the back roads and kept her slow) and reservoir empty.
Still to cold and dark to have a look to see what could have caused the fluid to drain in about 5 minutes of idling the van to get it warm, with no previous problems whatsoever.

My question, in a pinch, can I still drive the van or will a total lack of PS fluid cause damage to the system?

Cheers guys, any thoughts are appreciated!

[jessef]

My question, in a pinch, can I still drive the van or will a total lack of PS fluid cause damage to the system?

Yes you can drive without any concerns. Only thing is to pay attention when rolling slow on corners as it gets stiffer the slower you go. Probably the line cracked.

[supa_fox]

Thanks Jesse,
Man, I hope its a line, that would be nice and simple (assuming its accessable!)
My guess is if it were the PS pump it would be a slower gradual leak?

cheers

[jessef]

depends on the size of the crack or rupture. hope it's a small easy one

[rezdiver]

i would take the belt off the PS pump. running a high pressure pump dry cannot be good for it.

[supa_fox]

I think I am just going to park her for now, once the cold snap is over I will have a look (-30 w/o windchill today...)
How difficult are the lines to access?