My girlfriend has an '82 El Co and she is having a problem with it. One day she started her car and began to drive and the steering was very difficult. This was a sudden thing as just the day before it was fine. I have looked the car over and see no leaks, wet hoses, or puddles on the ground. Does this sound like it is the power steering or something more? Also, I have looked all over the engine and through a manual she has and could not find a dipstick or, to the best of my knowledge, where to even add/check the power steering. Could someone please help me and tell me where to look or maybe where I can find the information I am looking for?

Thank you very much.

Kinda hard to see, but the Power Steering cap is underneath the AC compressor, at the back of the power steering pump. You have to reach in through the belts to get to it.

the power steering pump/tank is normally on the front left(driver) side of the engine
under the a/c compressor or alternator..

look for a black plastic cap about 1-1/2" diameter...:texas:

Sounds like the pump gave internally. Your girlfriends car? She's a keeper

Just a dumb thought, but did you look to see if the v-belt was there and / or adjusted, not glazed? 82 still has v-belts right?

She should sell it to me for a rediculously low price, it's obviously damaged bryond all hope. Please ship it immeadiately to 77506.

J/K of course. Marv D asked my question so I had to improvise

It could be in the valving in the steering box too. Bought my wife a new '86 Camero to drive to work, and two days after we got it, the steering was almost impossible to turn. The dealer fiddlled with it, and the problem went away by itself for some reason. Maybe a sticky valve etc ??

:dontknow:You might want to just get a new girl friend and the problem with the El Camino might just go away!! OPPS DID I REALLY SAY THAT, well it's a late joke here at 12:05AM goodnight:secret: