As the title says, Whats the most common cause for loss of power steering, My pall has just lost his after it being quite heavy from since he'd had the car. He says there appears to be some yellowish oily liquid leaking from underneath the car somewhere and has found a hose leading to nowhere. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ross.

In this situation, power steering fluid, well lack of.

Matt

In this situation, power steering fluid, well lack of.

Matt

Is it likely to be leaking from somewhere or just need topping up? does it have a overflow that its likely to be trickling out from? Are there any overflows on the fabia or breather's as this would explain the pipe to nowhere.

Ross

Forgetting this yellowish liquid and the pipe to no where for a moment, as its a Fabia, is it not switching on the power steering dashboard light? Maybe scan it to see if the system can self diagnose itself and give you some where to start from. No cars nowadays are allowed to have open breathing systems, so there should not be any unterminated pipes.

No light shows on the Dash. All light come on and go off as usual on ignition, steering is very heavy, almost impossible to park. I drove to work fine yesterday morning. Starte the car to go home, steering felt fine for first minute or so then got heavier and heavier. Got home and went in doors to find out where the PAS resivoir was. Went back out and noticed a small puddle by the passenger side front wheel. Had a look underneath and noticed fluid was leaking either from the PAS itself which was then running along the undertray and dripping or from the steering rod/boot area. I'm hoping it's just a seal/gasket that has let go. I haven't hit any bumps or potholes hard so don't think it's the steering rack causing the problem.

Don't think it has any breathers. If it's leaking then topping it up will be pointless won't it. I'd say the First thing to do is get the under tray off and find out where exactly it's leaking from before anything else.

Matt

I was gonna take it to my mechanic tomorrow but may have to borrow someone's ramps/axel stands and have a look myself, hehuuum Ross lol

I was gonna take it to my mechanic tomorrow but may have to borrow someone's ramps/axel stands and have a look myself, hehuuum Ross lol

Pop round anytime and ill lend ya them. Make sure im in though...

Theres a Pipe that runs from the bottom of the Pump, it runs through a Bolt that screws the pipe securely onto the pump. This is where fluid was leaking from.

On the end of the pipe was an 'o' ring that had split and looked as if part of it had been chewed up, probably because of the high pressure in the pump. I replaced the 'o' ring and put everything back together. Then topped up the power steering fluid

I worked the steering while it was up in the air with the engine running and then again on the ground. It seems to be working correctly if not a little lighter than when it first let go. The steering felt a bit 'slack' and a bit stiff at the initial turn and at the end of a turn on the wheel, to begin with but as I've been driving it around it seems to be getting smoother.

Fingers crossed all is well and I don't have any more issues.

Edited 28 March, 201115 yr by FabiaJames