Home Heat Pump line insulation repair

Our 7-year old heat pumps copper tubes insulation has deteriorated due to UV rays. So I was able to replace with closed cell insulation that hopefully will last longer. This insulation wraps edge seals together nicely.

Oil on pavement from our 2006 Honda Odyssey

We observed oil on pavement from our 2006 Honda Odyssey. I have needed to add steering fluid several times in the last few month. (We drive the car maybe once a week.)  

The internet suggested that the upper hose from the steering pump is a common oil leak issue as is the o-ring on bracket for the crankcase oil filter. 

I cleaned off the upper hose at the top of the motor and with the engine running observed steering oil coming through a pinhole about an inch from the pump. 

Honda sells their hose for about $200. Amazon Prime had a hose for $30. I ordered the $30 replacement hose along with Honda Steering fluid and an extra o-ring totaling $60. 

I was unable to break loose the nut that attaches the hose to the steering rail with a 14mm combination wrench. I ended up hack-sawing the hose at the rack and used a socket wrench to break the joint free, which took a lot of force. I was able to reach one hand through from either the bottom or top, after removing the air filter and hoses. Using a light cord to align the hose at the steering rack I was able to finger tighten the steering hose nut then use a wrench to secure the nut tightly. I pulled the steering hose’s flexible end down near the passenger front wheel and pulled the rigid part of the hose out at the same place. The new hose went in the same way. 

There was quite a bit of oil on the axle/CV joint and it will be interesting to watch for awhile to see if the leak is totally fixed or just the steering fluid leak is repaired. 

Wrapped hose at leak with electrical tape and used clamp to temporarily reduce leak in case we needed to drive the vehicle. 

In the center a third up from the bottom is the nut for the steering hose connection to the steering rack. Very hard to reach. 

A picture of the nut from underneath. 

The oil residue. Now mostly cleaned off.