Hi Folks,

I looked all over for similar troubles, but could not find. I was out today, parked, then decided to move to a better place the other side of the road, turning full lock (slow movement, not grinding the wheels), there was a grating noise, a smell a bit like clutch and something like oil was immediately dripping out the bottom. Any turn of the steering made an awful noise and was heavy. I did not torture it further. On inspection the front of the engine bay was spayed with what seemed to be oil, but I suppose it might have been P.S. hydraulic fluid. No lights on the dashboard. I left the car where it was: not going to risk further damage. 

Any ideas? 

 

Turbot. 

I would suspect either a rack seal or pump union has failed, was there any inconsistent weight when manouvering for a few seconds over the last few uses at all?.

My word, you are quick, Phil.

I'm sorry I cannot really answer your question because I put it to so little test and as it happened I was just thinking "what the hell is going on here". The pump still works, though, as demonstrated (perhaps) by stuff all over the cooling fans etc.). Engine sounded fine until I touched the wheel, then a sound like a ship sliding down its launch slipway. 

If you still have some form of assistance to the steering rather than none at all, then I would check the feed and return pipes from the reservoir to the pump for leaks/splits.

 

The noise is probably the auxilliary belt slipping because it is contaminated with oil.

 

I suppose we should just double check that the oil is  steering fluid - Power steering oil is green in colour, what colour is the oil that has been sprayed around the engine bay.

Edited 25 May, 20206 yr by kentphil1

pump seal failure id guess (assuming green fluid)...

 

its what led to me changing my octy 1, i decided to change as between it and a few other age related things i wanted a newer car.

 

 

Well, I cannot gather enough of it to see green colour, but it is fairly clear, not black as the engine oil is. I think there is no assistance, but I cannot be sure as I never drove it with PS off. If indeed it is PS fluid, then I would expect pump union rather than pipes. Quite a lot came out. I am not with the car now, otherwise I would just have a look at the reservoir level. 

 

I was considering getting a neighbour to help by towing me back, but I think it is risky, so I will pay for a recovery. Not today, though, none of them are answering the phone. 

 

OK, Folks, here is the official professional diagnosis from repair shop: "it was a pipe blown off". So your suggestions were right - I think it blew at the junction. I have asked them to look the whole system over incase another part is preparing to go (waiting for when I am in a remote location and going for a flight or important appointment).

Thanks for your responses.

 

Turbot swims off back into deep water.