have a problem guys, help woulb be appreciated. took my octy vrs 1 to my local independant today for a cam belt change, the job was new belt, pulley, tensioner, and a new updated water pump. got the car back the same day. on the way home the car was spot on. but when i went back out two hours later the car was making a groaning noise. and it seems to be steering related. at tick over you can hear it slightly but turn the wheel just past centre it gets louder but after around 1200 rpm the noise competely goes away. the car drives spot on though. any ideas guys?

I'd check the PAS oil level is ok.

Did you have the auxiliary drive belt changed to. I reckon it's slightly worn and slipping when the power steering pump is loaded. iirc it is removed to access the cam belt and disturbing it may have revealed the problem.

thanks guys, yeah checked the fluid all is ok with that, but it could be the aux drive belt that wasnt replaced. it is doing the squeeky noise thing on start up mind. what kind of a job is it to do it?

Unless the bottom cover is catching, quite often does it its not clipped in quite right or got bent.

its annoying though, spending money on routine maintenance then having a totally new fault that wasnt there before!

thanks guys, yeah checked the fluid all is ok with that, but it could be the aux drive belt that wasnt replaced. it is doing the squeeky noise thing on start up mind. what kind of a job is it to do it?

If it is the aux belt it literally is a 5 minute job and about £8 for the part.

When doing a cambelt on one of these it is common to remove the pas pipe from the resivour to move it out the way. Check the PAS fluid level. If this is ok turn the steering lock to lock about 10 times with engine running. This should sort any potential air lock.

Matt

I had the cam belt & water pump changed on my 4x4 about two weeks ago @ 95K. When I got the car back I had a similar noise issue that seemed steering related. I checked the hydraulic fluid in the steering resevoir - all seemed ok. I turned the steering lock to lock a fair amount of times (did't like the noise of the pump cavitating!) re-checked the level and it was down. There was an air lock in the system. Refilled & its been fine ever since.

I had the same issue after having my belt changed.

Get some Comma CHF11S power steering fluid and top her up, give it a few lock to lock turns and it should go away.

I was paranoid that the reservoir was leaking, but then realised they had lost some fluid when doing the job. Been nice and quiet ever since (18 months).

I think you have to check the fluid level when it's cold or something. I seem to remember the level markers being confusing!

right, just a quick update. it turns out your comments were spot on . took the car back to the garage yesterday and the pipe from the resevoir was disconnected to gain easier access to the cambelt. so although the fluid level was sound in the resevoir they do sometimes suffer from air locks, hence the noisy power steering. a little top up and turns lock to lock later and jobs sorted. cheers fellas.