I reckon the designer who decided the VRS battery should go over the PAS fluid reservoir had a nasty sense of humor

Anyway, decided to check mine today, a good hours work if your not in a hurry. :no:

First off, the airbox has to come out as it overlaps the battery box. I found it easier to remove the inlet trunking, and sling the airbox to one side. Then off with the battery top frame, out with the battery (used a battery memory saver plugged into the ciggy socket to retain memory of ECU/Radio etc). Out with the battery box, and finally check the PAS fluid level.

TIP: I tried getting access to the PAS fluid reservoir by removing the passenger side headlight. Doesn't work, as there is a large bit plastic below the headlight that prevents your hand from getting in far enough.

I reckon a lot of owners will never check their PAS fluid levels, due to the location of the battery. :wonder:

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by MoggyTech

I'll put my hand up - I didn't even know I was supposed to check the PAS fluid levels. Coolant, oil and brake fluid, yes, but not PAS fluid.

I must admit I don't either - wouldn't even know where it is until I read that.

I vaguely understand the consequences of other routine checks that you're supposed to do - eg.

* oil level - if oil runs out, engine dies

* coolant level - if coolant runs out, engine dies

* brake fluid - if brake fluid runs out, I can't stop, and I crash

* tyre pressure - flat tyres mean I can't control car, and I crash

* screenwash level - no screenwash means I can't see stuff (especially with all the salt and gunk in winter) and I crash

* light bulbs - no light means I can't see stuff and I crash (or people can't see me and crash in to me, or a policeman might notice)

So what happens if the PAS fluid runs out?

Incidentally (off-topic) how do you check the brake fluid level? I can see the bottle, but can't see a level within it (and don't want to open the lid in case I let dust or something in).

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by DavidY

A bit of thought during the development would have helped. They could have quite easily have specified a clearer plastic for the reservoir and put a viewing cover in the wheel arch liner. The 16 valve models don't have this problem as the air filter is in the engine cover and the battery is further back.

In theory the PAS fluid shouldn't go anywhere without a sign of a leak, in practice the rack can leak internally. An indication of low fluid is heavy steering and no faults/warning light.

You can see the level of the brake fluid by bouncing the car up and down and looking at the reservoir for fluid movement.

Thanks Fordfan.

I had another thought... mobile phones these days have small cheap cameras. So it can't be hard to make a thin, narrow probe with a camera on the end (and a LED or something to light it, I guess) - maybe using a USB for power and to get the picture onto your laptop. The technology all exists and is cheap.

Does such a product exist?

Edited 18 April, 201016 yr by DavidY

never checked it in 6 years its obviously ok as there is no sign of a leak and no noise to suggest low fluid

it is a poor design though

Somewhat OT, but out of curiosity, what battery memory saved do you use? I've thought about buying one, but never been able to justify the cost for the amount of use I would probably get out of it. I think the last one I found was somewhere in the region of $30, which seemed a bit much for that type of device.

Paul.

Somewhat OT, but out of curiosity, what battery memory saved do you use? I've thought about buying one, but never been able to justify the cost for the amount of use I would probably get out of it. I think the last one I found was somewhere in the region of $30, which seemed a bit much for that type of device.

Paul.

I just made my own lead which hooks up to a spare car battery. Fitted a blocking diode into the + lead so current can only flow one way once it's hooked up. The small ones you can buy need to be used with extreme care, as things like interior light coming on can fry them. I had all the bits just laying about, so cost be nout.

I just made my own lead which hooks up to a spare car battery. Fitted a blocking diode into the + lead so current can only flow one way once it's hooked up. The small ones you can buy need to be used with extreme care, as things like interior light coming on can fry them. I had all the bits just laying about, so cost be nout.

Neat idea. I can almost certainly find just about all the bits, with the exception of the battery. And for my purposes, something like a 12V lantern battery would probably be adequate. Thanks, a great idea. I will have to go rummange in some of the boxes I've still not unpacked two years after my last move....

Paul.

(or people can't see me and crash in to me, or a policeman might notice)

So what happens if the PAS fluid runs out?

Speaking from experience; it's fine at higher speeds on duel carriageways/M. Ways, and straightish A roads at speed, albeit a bit heavier (found it nicer than normal TBH!). Around town, and I assume B roads are the same, I found I couldn't turn the wheel fast enough, and narrowly missed 'understeering' into a roundabout (first one I came too), then struggled to get to my exit. On mini-roundabouts it was a case of start turning, stop the car, strain and turn some more, then set off again.

To summarise in your style;

*pas fluid - no fluid means rack/pump can sieze/overheat, you can't turn fast enough and crash.

Of course, that's worse case scenario, but you get the gist - basiclly heavy steering, and damage to the rest of the system if left too long.

i was looking for the pas fluid reservoir the other day and had no joy. this thread explains why. lol