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Power Steering problems

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steering
2K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  duncan_rose 
#1 ·
Got my new '99 Alfa 146Ti home (170miles!), no problems at all. Jacked it up to do an oil change and noticed a dark fluid everywhere, which appeared to be running down the sump. I knew it weren't engine oil but I have never had a car with power steering before so was a bit puzzled. I checked the power steering reservoir and to my dismay it was rapidly emptying :cry:

The car now has no power steering. Have checked the pipes running from the reservoir and they seem fine. Where else is a likely source of the dripping??? Have had a quick look at the Alfa technical info PDFs from the 145forum so gonna have a closer inspection today.

Any help appreciated.

Other than that, love the car :) even if it made me nearly cry... lol
 
#2 ·
Greeetings.

Have had that problem meself. If the pipes are ok, then it may be the seals (which leak due to wear or shrinkage) somewhere along the steeering rack. To my knowledge, these are not replaceable; meaning a new steering rack would be required. An expensive job I've heard.

I'm still investigating myself. So I'd be interested to know how you get on.

In the meantime, you may wanna try Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak:

http://www.4wheelplay.co.uk/lucas-power-steering-stop-leak-p-25002913.html

http://www.ksealit.com/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=35


Im currently trying it at the moment. Says you have to use 1 maybe two bottles for it to work. I've used one, and the leaking is happening more slowly and the steering is smoother than it's been in a while (could be just my mind). Gonna try the second bottle anyway.

People have there opinions, but seems to be working so far.

Hope this helps.
 
#3 ·
Might be able to get a service-exchange (rebuilt) sterring rack. There are specialists around. Usually for a deposit you could pick one up, swap it over and then hand in the old one later. That way you wouldn't have to find a way to the reconditioners while the car is off the road. Don't assume a thing. Find that leak before buying anything (except more fluid maybe:))
 
#4 ·
PS my moneys on corroded pipework or cracked hoses but it;s also possible your pump is leaking. Find it on the engine, driven by the auxiliary belt on the left as you look from the front, probably near the bulkhead if memory serves me right.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the help guys.

I had seen that Lucas stuff and thought there must be a catch. Might give it a try though now if it works.

As for the bloody leak....

I think it's more than a corroded pipe. I poored a bit more fluid in and gave the wheel a turn, it went light again briefly then all of a sudden there was a strange noise and it dumped all the fluid on the floor. I haven't had a chance to get a proper look but I can't really see where it's coming from. Luckily I've got another car for the time being.
 
#12 ·
It does sound very similar to a problem I just had. Dumped all the fluid and made awful noise when the wheel was turned. I thought it was the rack so got a replacement...only to find out it was split pipes which have now been replaced and it steers beautifully now. (Which means I now have a spare steering rack available!! - I'll post this separately too).
Hope it's nothing major but check before you buy!! Lol :lol:
 
#17 ·
While on the subject i too had a gradual leek from the system somewhere but never could locate exactly where, just kept topping it up....then one day the whole lot was dumped on the drive! was a bit*h to drive to halfords, and i'm sure the drive on empty did the system no good?? But filled it up with the lucas no squeak product, and it was smooth as ever and barely any noise....but wasn't long until one of the aluminum pipes split clearly under a lot of pressure??

I had the pipe replaced and refilled with the lucas fluid....and just yesterday for no apparent reason (3months after fix) another pipe has blown! its almost like this fluid is so thick its put the system under too much preasure?! I could see it was trying to escape from the reservoir too? Anyone else had similar problems or could advise on how best to prevent this happening again? these pipe changes and fluid are getting expensive!! many thanks
 
#18 ·
I had the pipe replaced and refilled with the lucas fluid....and just yesterday for no apparent reason (3months after fix) another pipe has blown! its almost like this fluid is so thick its put the system under too much preasure?! I could see it was trying to escape from the reservoir too? Anyone else had similar problems or could advise on how best to prevent this happening again? these pipe changes and fluid are getting expensive!! many thanks
Well the only way to prevent what happened to you is to do as I recommend with brake flexible hoses, and that is to replace them all as a set, having one pipe rupture and spill it's guts is a mare, but after replacing that 1 tube, you've created another weak point, the pressure of the system will always look for the easiest way out, and with the old pipe there, it found it. But if it is blowing couplings that are not corroded, then I'd be investigating the syatem pressure, maybe the Pressure Relief Valve is no operating correctly in the pump body.
 
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