My steering is making a whirring noise and I'd like to know what it is so I can look into it. I've taken a video of it this morning in the car park- you'll need to turn it up quite loud as I took it on my phone. There's a creaking noise in the video but that's not a steering noise, I think it's the camera case creaking. Underneath this you can hear the whirr, which is loudest just off centre.

 

Anyone any idea what it is?

 

Theres a known known issue (TPI) for creaking steering -- http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/292056-monte-tech-steering-creak/

 

Yours sounds more like the power steering pump issue. Have you check the power steering fluid reservoir?

 

Judging by your millage, are you still under warranty?

I was planning on checking the fluid levels next week- that's a battery out job, correct?

 

I have an aftermarket warranty on it.

That's just the (sound of the) pump changing speed in response to your steering inputs.  The pump is having to work quite hard as your tyres are scrubbing on the ground whilst not rotating.

Perhaps someone with the same car could do a comparison recording, if they don't observe a noticeable noise in these circumstances?

Conveniently we have another Fabia- it makes a very tiny noise, this one you can hear from outside and it's pretty loud. To drown it out the stereo needs to be on about volume 9.

Also a MkII?

Yep- we have a VRS and a Monte. The Monte is fine, the VRS is the noisy one. It was also noisier than the other VRSes we test drove. The noise has been there a while but hasn't got worse or better.

Hmm.

VCDS to look at currents drawn by the pumps on each vehicle?

Check the physical mounting of the pump?

Ok, had a look tonight and fluid levels are fine, I topped up and it's still noisy.

Wino, where abouts is the pump so I can have a look at it?

On a Mk1 its just in front of the nearside front wheel, alongside the screenwash reservoir.  Can be seen with wheel and arch liner removed as in this pic (green fluid reservoir integrated with pump):

 

 

Also can be accessed from below with engine undercover removed, or from the front with bumper off.  Mk2 access best advised by a Mk2 owner who's been there.