Power Steering fluid leak...

1. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

   #1 2nd February 2012, 18:05

   Right guys, further to my thread earlier in the week. I have a leak from the PAS.
   
   It's coming from the drivers side, but I can't locate the exact point as I can't jack up the car (I'm at uni and all my tools and bits and stuff is 5 hours away), so I'm having to do detective style investigation instead from the work desk.
   
   Here's what I know:
   It's leaking from the drivers side.
   It makes a faint 'creaking' noise when on full lock (to the left only!), which I assume is fluid coming out or something mechanical being over stressed in the system.
   There is a feed pipe (high pressure) and a return pipe (low pressure) around the area where the leak is.
   Based on driving for 20 mins, no apparent fluid loss, the leak occurs at highload/full lock (not sure how the system works with respect to controlling pressure, whether it's torque or speed induced inputs.
   
   Is there any potential for a leak to occur from the rack itself?
   Does it sound like it's the low pressure pipe, since I'm not loosing fluid except at high steer angles?
   
   Help.
   
   regards,
2. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #2 2nd February 2012, 18:14

   sounds like the pas pipe has chafed away on the steering arm, it will leak more when under full load as theres more resistance then, hence higher pressures in the pipe
3. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

   #3 2nd February 2012, 18:25

   bugger. Had it tracked recently, wonder if that caused it to breached one of the pipes then. bugggerrrr. Right new pipe then... can't be that expensive...
   
   Thanks for the response man!
4. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #4 2nd February 2012, 18:33

   i've got used pairs of pipes here £25 plus postage, if you've got both you've got every eventuallity covered lol, check the unions haven't come loose first if you can scrounge a 17mm spanner!
5. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

   #5 2nd February 2012, 18:45

   I try to replace with new bits usually mate, but at £25 I don't think I can refuse... I'm passing through derbyshire on saturday actually.
   i've got the formula student lab downstairs so I might have a rummage and freeze my tits off. I'll get back to you on the pipes!
   
   Thanks
6. user_36198 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Aug 2009 ilkeston derbyshire Posts: 9823 C2 VTR stripped, 406hdi, clio 172

   #6 2nd February 2012, 19:14

   i'll be at workshop on saturday with a gearbox on my chest anyway lol
7. djmacka Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 Sunderland Posts: 101 Citroen Saxo VTR

   #7 4th February 2012, 00:30

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by mandyslover70 sounds like the pas pipe has chafed away on the steering arm, it will leak more when under full load as theres more resistance then, hence higher pressures in the pipe

   same as ours, driveway is a right mess!