Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

BlantyreBotanicals · 2021-09-19 18:08:27

So I'm trundling along nicely with my new shiny brakes (albeit without the wear sensor) when suddenly my steering feels very heavy. I checked the power steering resevoir and it was empty! Oh dear... So I topped it up with about 500Ml of power steering fluid, only to find out that within 24 hours, that has pissed out all over the road. There must be a rather large leak somewhere... I added some of that "power steering no leak" stuff, supposed to treat 2 litres of fluid for a 125Ml bottle. I call bullcrap - that too has pissed out all over the road. So I'm £20 worse off and without power steering.

Anyone got an idea where I should start looking? I've been reading scare stories of people needing a whole new rack when their power steering seals go! I'm hoping it's just a hose, but the rubber hose that goes from the resevoir to the metal pipe looks fine. The leak is dripping onto the road from underneath the actual engine, on the left side as you look at the bay from the front of the car, opposite side to the gearbox. The hose/metal pipe goes down from the resevoir and goes beneath the engine area so it's difficult to see where the leak might be coming from.

FYI, I have trolley jack, axle stands, ramps all here so I'm prepared to put her up on the ramps to get underneath and have a look, see if I can't duct tape a few things. But I've never had to mess with power steering before so I don't really know where to start.

This van seems to have one thing failing after another mad

AlvyLad · 2021-09-19 20:13:41

Power steering is perhaps the only part, that is reliable on these vans, as well as very many other makes/models used. I can not imagine where, but the housing having had a knock- crack (??) to empty itself as per what you say.
the only way to find exactly where its from is to fill up, pop it on stands, start the van and try turning steering wheel with left hand to see exactly where it's going to splutter out, as those pumps only function, when started and turning the wheel.
I know, not much of "help", but interesting case it seems

Pathfinder100 · 2021-09-19 20:40:39

Mine is leaking out as well, but not quite as badly as yours. It takes about 250ml every month or so. I have mine zeroed down to a pipe that runs near the offside front wheel. But as with most things currently its outside budget.

The other advice is still best. Get it on axle stands, start it, get someone to turn the wheel and shove your head under and see where its pissing out. Hopefully its a knackered hose.

BlantyreBotanicals · 2021-09-22 16:14:20

I dont want to use another bottle of fluid to find where the leak is - is there anything I can use as a temp. substitute for this investigation? Barring that, I suppose I could try and collect the drippings to put back in?

AlvyLad · 2021-09-22 19:51:46

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/pagid-do … -524770272 £13 -40%
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/ate-sl6- … -524770042 £9 -40%
wink

BlantyreBotanicals · 2021-09-26 00:13:47

AlvyLad wrote:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/pagid-do … -524770272 £13 -40%
https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/ate-sl6- … -524770042 £9 -40%

Oh you mean that stuff that I bought 4 litres of the other week for the brakes and used hardly any of it and thought I'd never find another use for it for some time to come... big_smile

kenbw2 · 2021-09-26 00:30:47

BlantyreBotanicals wrote:

Oh you mean that stuff that I bought 4 litres of the other week for the brakes and used hardly any of it and thought I'd never find another use for it for some time to come...

When my power steering fluid was low I just went up to a garage and said "can I pay you a couple of quid to use some of your fluid". Used about 100ml. Bargain for him I guess.

Last edited by kenbw2 (2021-09-26 00:31:27)

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#1 2021-09-19 18:08:27

Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#2 2021-09-19 20:13:41

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#3 2021-09-19 20:40:39

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#4 2021-09-22 16:14:20

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#5 2021-09-22 19:51:46

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#6 2021-09-26 00:13:47

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

#7 2021-09-26 00:30:47

Re: Hubble, bubble, power steering trouble

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