Power Steering Leak New pump installed

Javus · 28-04-2009, 04:44 PM

Hi All,

Since I bought my Cougar its been in the repair shop nearly 6 times already all for the same reason, Power steering is leaking and I still haven't really driven the car at all for well over 2months (since purchased)...

They have changed the power steering line & power steering pump & O-rings (o-rings were replaced two or three times) Unfortunately my power steering has not been fixed, when I turn the wheel it sounds like there is very little power steering fluid running around the pump and line but the p/s fluid is full, any Ideas?

Sound to me as though there is air in the system (not bleed properly)

Instruction on bleeding the system will be greatly appreciated if anyone has them so I can pass them over to my mechanic, they have tried turning the steering wheel left and right plenty of times - still no good

Thanks in advance ppl

thearrow · 29-04-2009, 01:22 PM

I don't believe it !!!!

I have just had the same problem with my power steering - replaced the pump - still had the problem - leaking fluid. I was topping up the resevoir every 10 days or so. If you buy some power steering fluid from supacheap and top up the resevoir you will find the noise goes away a few days later it will be back.

Took it back to my mechanic and turns out it was a leaking hose that had to be replaced - the fluid was running down the hose onto the pump.

Thats OK but it took them 7 hours of labour to replace the hose not to mention we have replaced a perfectly good power steering pump.

Suggest you get your mechanic to check the hoses as it might be something similar but certainly you can bet the power steering system is leaking somewhere.

Good luck with it and let us know the result.

scout · 29-04-2009, 10:35 PM

I had a leak in the steel pipe where it fits onto the pump, whilst repairing that they cracked the pipe where it attaches to the rack. Mine was repaired by Pirtec, they cut the steel tube and used hose on both ends. That was about 9 months ago and it has not leaked or caused any problems. Apparently the steel tube only comes with the pump therefore very expensive. The option used on mine apears ok and much cheaper. The original leak was the fitting where it fits to the pump and the fluid ran down the pump and was sprayed by the fan belt.

Javus · 02-05-2009, 11:02 AM

Thanks for the advice thearrow and scout.
I think you might have to vacuum the PS pump to bleed it properly not sure how this is done though.
MY mechanic tried full locking the wheel left and right a few times but no lock, it still makes excessive sound in the engine bay and the power steering is not working properly + leaking...

will this never end. Any one from Melb know a good American car repair mechanic?