"Boiling" Power Steering Fluid

workaholic_ro · 26th November 2011, 13:52

Well, not actually boiling. I suspect an air leak somewhere, I have a lot of bubbles in the reservoir with the engine running and a kind of "foam" when it stops. The air pressure was high enough to spray the fluid all over through the small hole from the reservoir cap.
The power steering has no power and the pump is making a deadly noise due to the air/fluid mixture, every time when I try to turn the steering wheel, a noise very similar to the cavitation produced in an overworked hydraulic system.
I removed the cap and replaced the lost fluid, same bubbles, foam, noise, lack of power. No visible leaks.

SD1too · 26th November 2011, 14:46

Fidel,

Have you tried loosening the clips securing the end of the steering rack gaiters to find your missing fluid?

Simon.

workaholic_ro · 26th November 2011, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

Fidel,

Have you tried loosening the clips securing the end of the steering rack gaiters to find your missing fluid?

Simon.

No, I'll check Monday morning, but the fluid has been squirted through the top breather. I'm worried about the air in the system more than about any possible leaks. Can a defective pump suck air along the shaft, or it is just a colar or a hose ?

craig8661 · 27th November 2011, 08:16

i think if the seals go on the shaft it could pos suck in air it could be a failed power stearing pump

man of kent · 27th November 2011, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by craig8661

i think if the seals go on the shaft it could pos suck in air it could be a failed power stearing pump

Agree. You need to change the pump. Wonder why the pump has failed? Most PAS pumps outlast the car. Could be massive overtightening of the belt which firstly knackers the bearing and then the seal collapses.

Correct belt tensioning is when you can turn the belt between the pulleys 90 degrees with just a little force.

workaholic_ro · 28th November 2011, 12:11

I have just found the problem. The steering pump body is made of two parts, one is cast iron (or steel) and the other one aluminium alloy.
The gasket between them has been blown out.
I removed the plastic cover, attached a hose to the pump inlet and blowing some air it was easy to detect the leak. I'll draw the gasket and have a new laser cut one tomorrow, if this is the only failure. Now let's see if I can remove the pump without touching the handbrake, the gearbox and the fuel tank...

HarryM1BYT · 28th November 2011, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by workaholic_ro

I have just found the problem. The steering pump body is made of two parts, one is cast iron (or steel) and the other one aluminium alloy.
The gasket between them has been blown out.
I removed the plastic cover, attached a hose to the pump inlet and blowing some air it was easy to detect the leak. I'll draw the gasket and have a new laser cut one tomorrow, if this is the only failure. Now let's see if I can remove the pump without touching the handbrake, the gearbox and the fuel tank...

That job cannot be done without removing the gearbox and the fuel tank

workaholic_ro · 2nd December 2011, 07:32

Job done, steering pump FIXED and not replaced.
Had to remove: engine cover, engine to body top connection bar, engine mount plastic cover, pump plastic cover, three small screws from the pump pulley and the pump itself. Nothing else. No need to touch engine mount, belt tensioner, plastic undertray, engine front plate etcetera etcetera. Sine qua non tool: straight 10mm racheting box wrench. It looks like this:

SD1too · 2nd December 2011, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by workaholic_ro

Job done, steering pump FIXED and not replaced.

Excellent stuff Fidel.

Simon.

BudeCarpets · 17th February 2013, 10:24

got same syptoms on a 2.5 ltr v6 tourer Yreg had it 48hrs and dropping fluid all over. garage had a quick look but nothing dropping when in garage, drive off and park turn off ignition and it drops it all been through 2 ltrs of fluid in 48hrs even tried blocking air hole in cap and using wynns steering fluid repair to no avail. sounds like we have similar issue and i like the idea of a just a gasket instead of full pump. my question is you said you had one laser cut and not being in the mechanic game i was wondering where i would get a new gasket from in a hurry

many thanks for any help available

26th November 2011, 13:52	#1
workaholic_ro Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cluj Posts: 551 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	"Boiling" Power Steering Fluid Well, not actually boiling. I suspect an air leak somewhere, I have a lot of bubbles in the reservoir with the engine running and a kind of "foam" when it stops. The air pressure was high enough to spray the fluid all over through the small hole from the reservoir cap. The power steering has no power and the pump is making a deadly noise due to the air/fluid mixture, every time when I try to turn the steering wheel, a noise very similar to the cavitation produced in an overworked hydraulic system. I removed the cap and replaced the lost fluid, same bubbles, foam, noise, lack of power. No visible leaks. __________________ Renee Descartes walks into a bar, the bartender says 'sir can I get you a martini 'Descartes says 'I don't think...' and he disappears Cheers, Fidel

26th November 2011, 14:46	#2
SD1too Doesn't do things by halves Rover 75 2.5 Connoisseur Auto (1999) Dealer launch model. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Former Middlesex Posts: 20,344 Thanks: 1,587 Thanked 3,749 Times in 3,181 Posts	Fidel, Have you tried loosening the clips securing the end of the steering rack gaiters to find your missing fluid? Simon. __________________ "Whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble." Sir Henry Royce.

27th November 2011, 08:16	#4
craig8661 Posted a thing or two rover 75 tourer cdt Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chesterfield Posts: 1,924 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	i think if the seals go on the shaft it could pos suck in air it could be a failed power stearing pump __________________ http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/a...y%20se/sig.jpg spoilt as i own a cdt auto connoisseur se cdt auto member 829 mods so far synergy 2 heated washer jets cant really add anything else as it has it all lol

28th November 2011, 12:11	#6
workaholic_ro Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cluj Posts: 551 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I have just found the problem. The steering pump body is made of two parts, one is cast iron (or steel) and the other one aluminium alloy. The gasket between them has been blown out. I removed the plastic cover, attached a hose to the pump inlet and blowing some air it was easy to detect the leak. I'll draw the gasket and have a new laser cut one tomorrow, if this is the only failure. Now let's see if I can remove the pump without touching the handbrake, the gearbox and the fuel tank... __________________ Renee Descartes walks into a bar, the bartender says 'sir can I get you a martini 'Descartes says 'I don't think...' and he disappears Cheers, Fidel

2nd December 2011, 07:32	#8
workaholic_ro Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cluj Posts: 551 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Job done, steering pump FIXED and not replaced. Had to remove: engine cover, engine to body top connection bar, engine mount plastic cover, pump plastic cover, three small screws from the pump pulley and the pump itself. Nothing else. No need to touch engine mount, belt tensioner, plastic undertray, engine front plate etcetera etcetera. Sine qua non tool: straight 10mm racheting box wrench. It looks like this: __________________ Renee Descartes walks into a bar, the bartender says 'sir can I get you a martini 'Descartes says 'I don't think...' and he disappears Cheers, Fidel Last edited by workaholic_ro; 2nd December 2011 at 07:35..

17th February 2013, 10:24	#10
BudeCarpets Newbie Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bude Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	got same syptoms on a 2.5 ltr v6 tourer Yreg had it 48hrs and dropping fluid all over. garage had a quick look but nothing dropping when in garage, drive off and park turn off ignition and it drops it all been through 2 ltrs of fluid in 48hrs even tried blocking air hole in cap and using wynns steering fluid repair to no avail. sounds like we have similar issue and i like the idea of a just a gasket instead of full pump. my question is you said you had one laser cut and not being in the mechanic game i was wondering where i would get a new gasket from in a hurry many thanks for any help available

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