A guy I know has had the same problem on a 159Ti but not sure of the engine, his problem got worse when the car was switched off as well. There is a very small vent on the top of the power steering cap that should allow this to breathe so the leak is normal, ie not blown a hole in it. I will try to find out what he had done, I think it was a releif valve in the pump, he definately diddn't have a new steering rack. Incidentally my 147 has red fluid and has so far done 114,000 miles with no problems? Is this just a known 159 problem?

 

Thanks Rhet- that's good to know.

I'd be hopeful that the pump/rack are saveable. But that said- when I bought the Alfa I knew it was not the most reliable of brands.

Although with further reading it may be that the reservoir will have to go with the new pump/rack - from the forum it seems that the wrong type were fitted in some 159's from the factory.

Re the red fluid-not an expert on this by any means but again from the forum it seems that the red fluid is the incorrect grade and is not protecting the system as it should. The fluid should be the green type (I presume this is if your getting it serviced at Alfa) or a modern day equivelent fluid.

Appreciate your offer of more info-would be grateful.

At this stage the net is throwing steering specialists in Bristol up at me all the time. Too far away from me-need something local.

Bully.

 

Just had this on my <2 year old 1750.

It a broken plastic check-valve or something.

Repaired under warranty.

 

I never got to the bottom of this.
I have red fluid in mine, and I talked to an Alfa specialist and he had never heard of the red/green debate.
Also on here, I'm sure several people said that red fluid is okay on anything from 2007 (?) onwards.

This subject came up a lot in the winter months.
There were some reports of people replacing a 'rod' or something, rather than the whole rack.

I'd love to get a definitive answer, because I get a really horrible grinding noise for about 5 to 10 seconds if I start my car at temperatures less than 6C (according to the temperature on the dash).

What kind of groan did your steering make?
I hear a kind of rubbing noise when manouvering (partking etc), but never when driving.
It's like a really low rumbling sound.

 

Benskia,

Got the info re the power fluid from this site-and given that the people who posted were further along this road then I am at the mo-I've just accepted their advice and repeated it.

Can't comment much on if they were right or not- but my car is an 07, and it has the red fluid and its exhibiting the same things as those who had to have rack.pump repalcement.

It would be good if its just a small part that needed replacing-the fluid was frothy and spurting when i switched the car off earlier and I assume its the sign that a seal has gone. But the noise seems to be lound like a bearing having gone in the pump.

Re your noise- sounds pretty much like mine. Before today I noticed a slight whine when parking. On occassions the steering wheel felt just a tad notchy and seemed to maybe rumble in my hand when turning very tight whilst parking (lock to lock stuff) Put it down to needing new tyres-which it got a set of 4 fresh contact 2's just 3 weeks ago.

Just assumed it needed fresh fluid-but today the first thing I noticed was that there was a whine-as the accelerator was pressed. And then when I checked it at rest- moving the steering wheels produced a real grinding/whining/rumbling sound.

The belt around the pump obviously revolves with the rate of revs of the engine- but the tyre noise (and the radio being on) masks it at anything above 35ish.

I'm sure the in-drive whine has not happened until today.

So far no luck in finding anyone close at hand to check over the system.

Bully

 

Just had mine replace a couple of weeks under warranty (less than one months warranty left) glad it packedbup when it did. Had the groaning sound when parking at working now have new rack and reservoir

 

I had a whine in mine, only when virtually at standstill and would disappear when driving. Turned out it's a valve inside the reservoir, nothing to do with colour of fluid or steering rack or pump. Had it replaced last year, no problems since. Mine's an 06 model. The reservoir has a breather on the top of the cap. Replacement cheap and easy.

 

Turned out it's a valve inside the reservoir, nothing to do with colour of fluid or steering rack or pump.

Yup. same here.


And my fluid looks clear...

 

Hey Mr m,

What was replaced? The whole rack or just the reservoir?
Did you order it yourself?

What colour fluid do you have now?

Ta.

 

I had my steering rack, pump and reservoir all replaced by main dealer under warranty.

Fluid is red...

 

Hi.

Would you be able to explain the grinding noise for me?
And was it worse on starting when cold?

 

Crikey dont start the red / green fluid debate up again.

Know of a few 159s way into the 100K+ miles with red fluid. I wouldnt be so quick to blame the colour of the fluid for your problem.

 

Don't worry - not trying to-just repeating the info on the forum that is repeated in most of the topics re this issue.

Also no idea about the "wrong" reservoir claims-but several forum members have been told the same think and purchased a different type according to their posts.

All I can go by is what they have said.

Re the grinding noise- checked her earlier today and simply don't think it can be anything but the pump that has gone. Sound is grinding metallic ring coming from pump, increasing with revs or with turning the wheel.

Whine very noticeable this morning-but does not get any worse/better then when warm.

Fluid level still near max-which is a relieve-seems like no leak. Couple of people have stated it will be a cheap easy fix-which is good news. Spent enough on her since she was bought.

Will be trying to arrange her to go to a steering specialist asap-just not located anyone nearby that seems to do it.

Bully

 

I think these are 2 issues:

PAS check/relief valve : whining noise and spitting fluid out the breather.
(Only heard after starting car and then turning steering wheel for the 1st time.)


Warn rack/rod ends: Graunching/grinding at certain points when turning the wheel.

 

from 4130 1 261 MA POWER STEERING PUMP
Noisy - Service Solution (spider/brera so I dont know if its 159 as well)

- When this problem is reported and confirmed, reassure the customer that it can be solved by replacing the
power steering oil (Tutela GI/E) with new Tutela GI/R type oil (recognizable as it is green) and on the 3.2 V6
versions only, the power steering oil reservoir.
Implementation, for the 3.2 V6 versions only, of a new power steering oil reservoir.

 

My mate reckoned it was a faulty relief valve in the steering hydraulic circuit and I note Nev has confirmed he had a similar problem?

 

I only had reservoir replaced under (used car) warranty, faulty relief valve inside reservoir I believe. Rest is all original and car has 70k kms. Fluid is red, this isn't the issue.

 

Hey Bully,

I dont suppose you could record the grinding noise somehow?
Maybe on your mobile phone or something and e-mail it me, or put it on the web.

I'd like to compare noises if possible.

Here is mine in the youtube link below.
The noise has almost gone though by the time I get out the car so you dont get to hear it full on.

YouTube - Alfa 159 startup when cold

 

Hi All,

Not a member of you tube I'm afraid-and not technically minded to record footage an "upload" but my noise is far louder and more grindy then that you tube clip.

UPDATE:

Took my car to my Alfa specialist and its diagnosis-Pump Failure. I'm awaiting price of a new pump-but its suspected to be above £300.

I figured it had to be-no way a relieve valve could be causing such grating from the pump itself.

Driving it there- the car had a "floaty" feel to its steering on some corners and its quite unerving as it feels like the front wheels are going in different directions. Then the power assist will fade on another corner and its a heave to get it ti turn.

The first thing he did after looking at it?...tell me -and I quote "you know these things came out of the factory with the wrong fluid in don't you?"....

Thanks to all for their thoughts and forum diagnostics-they really were all appreciated.

My view-having had it happen is- if your hearing ANY sounds/getting any similiar symptons of notchy/grindy/floaty steering- get the fluid refreshed asap. Get some new modern fluid. Your call if you want red, white, blue or green.

Obviously just a suggestion after spending £1k on her this month -shame it could not have been on a remap!

Regards all,

Bully

 

Am I ok to drive 10 miles with this fault. It's just come on as I left to go home.

Loud pump, frothy power steering fluid and grouchy steering.

Do I just top up with fresh fluid?

 

My car makes an odd noise when stationary and you turn the wheel full lock left or right, should I be concerned about this issue?

 

Hey Karl, that sounds like the symptoms leading up to my reservoir failure.

About 4 weeks after I noticed what you describe I got the full on moaning and screeching from the pump. What happened to me was the net filter inside the reservoir breaks from its mounting and then the fluid has no resistance into the pump, the pump gulps in the fluid which in turn becomes mixed with air making the fluid frothy.

I think it was £120 at my indie garage to replace the reservoir?