Power Steering Help - Stuck on holiday!!

Hi everyone,

Had the 300tdi for a month with no probs. Until today - lost the PAS in fits & starts then completely went . Strange thing is when it finally gave up the ghost it ejected a lot of PAS fluid out of the small breather hole in the side of the reservoir cap. There is no other leaks anywhere on the steering system.

As im on me hols in Norfolk I had to call Greenflag - they told me its either me pump or me box - more likely me box then they got a quote of £420 - nice of them!!!!!

I might limp it home to London - albeit I need arms like bloody Popeye!

Anyone had same/similar happen or could maybe shed some light as to which part it may be thats given up or even what to check??

Thanks all

Rich

Nobody got any ideas - oh no!!!!! Now im really stuck! Anybody tell me if I am doing any long term damage by driving it without the PAS??

Just topped it up again & same happened - somebody told me it may be an air leak????

Cheers - any info greatly received!!!!

Thanks people - Rich

First driving with no PAS will do no harm BUT ONLY IF THERE IS SOME FLUID IN THE SYSTEM or the pump may run dry and get jiggered - if it isn't already.

Second, it's really a change bits job to find out what bit changed solves the problem, diagnosis by substitution plan.

It is easier to swap the pump first, and if that makes it work, get a new or used or recon pump. If swapping the pump doesn't make it go, the steering box will be a gonner and you need a recon / used item.

With plenty fluid in the reservoir try loosening the SMALLER pipe from the pump (mind the belts don't get you) and if the pump is working fluid should come out in a spray. It's a demand pump so there may be almost no flow or pressure unless there is somewhere for the oil to go, such as when the steering wheel turns and opens the valves.

Note that the steering valves only work WHILE the steering wheel is being TURNED, that is, when extra effort is being asked for. To pressurise the system turn the steering wheel to full lock (by moving the car back and forward to get the road wheels turned to full lock) and run the engine on tick-over while someone else holds the steering wheel hard over on full lock. Now you loosen the smaller pipe, and IF the pump is running and working there should be high pressure (VERY high pressure) oil spraying out. Take care! If this trick does not produce high pressure oil, assume the pump is goosed.

CharlesY

Many thanks CharlesY

Got her home now so will investigate further. One thing - just before I lost PAS, my drive belt frayed. I was wondering if this could have damaged the pressurised sytem and allowed an ingress of air - thus stopping the PAS working. Hmmm - just a thought!!

Richard.

I rather think it may be the other way round, that the pump siezed first causing the belt to skid and break up.

Can you turn the pump pulley? There should be almost NIL effort required to do so. If it's stuck, graunchy or tight it's buggered.

CharlesY