I'm at a bit a loss here.
Coming home this morning the engine got noisy, then the steering got lumpy and was losing power assistance. I expected to find that the hose had corroded and I had lost fluid. But there is no fluid leak that I can see and the power steering reservoir is full.
But the outside of the aux belt looked a bit "glazed" and I thought that one of the pulleys might have failed. But it hasn't. Aux belt is off and all pulleys spin freely. If a dragging pulley was causing the glaze on the rear of the belt, it could only be the tensioner or the water pump. My car does not have the middle idler.
On reflection, I think that there would be a strong smell of rubber if the belt had been slipping.
So, if it's not a pulley seizing and stopping the aux belt, and it's not fluid loss, what can it be?
I've had the rear tensioner on the aux belt fall off before but the belt still managed to turn! I was driving home one night and suddenly got a lot of lights on the dash and some noise and then they went away again. When I looked the next day the belt was still turning without burning out.
Is the pump actually turning when the engine is running? If not it may have failed internally having put the glaze on the belt. What about spinning alternator too and water pump, also turn aircon on and off, are they all free?
Everything is free and smooth! :)
But I have found the problem!
It's a fluid leak. When I looked around, there was no sign of any leak. But the leak in the metal pipe is right at the end on the passenger side and has gone straight out that end without running along behind the grille fluid has collected on the undertray. Nothing on the ground yet. So the belt and bits will go back on and I'll review the work involved. Given the previous comment about replacing this pipe, I suspect it will be going into the garage for fixing.
I'm still a bit suspicious. The leak is very small and the reservoir is still quite full. So why has the steering lost power?
Definitely a leak! I gave it a poke and there's a big puddle of fluid on the ground! :o :o
Quote from: sgould on 03 June 2016, 03:31:31 PM
... the leak in the metal pipe is right at the end on the passenger side...
Exactly where mine failed, a couple of months ago - and presumably, where they all go?
My last car went there. So It's just a matter of time...
I'm a bit surprised though, because I had the bumper off three years ago and I was going to panit that metal pipe, but ti looked to be in good condition, so i thought that the later pipes were plated. But you live and learn. ::)