'94 Audi cabriolet power steering probs

[Pinky]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. My '94 cabriolet 2.6E manual is making the mother of all noises during steering. Suspect I need this much-discussed green mineral fluid as the reservoir is dry - any ideas where I can get it in the UK without having to sell an internal organ to purchase direct from Audi?

[john from Staffs]

May I respectfully suggest that if you do not: -

a) buy some fluid pretty damn quick and put it in the reservoir
b) find out where the other fluid went and fix the leak

then the cost of the fluid will assume minor minor insignifacance compared with the cost of sourcing and fitting a new power steering pump.

for want of a nail a shoe was lost
for want of a shoe a horse was lost
for want of a horse a battle was lost
etc.

with best regards to all you penny pinchers out there
john from Staffs

[john from Staffs]

corrigendum - "insignificance"

can spell, can't type

jfS

[Pinky]

Thanks John, My mechanic mate couldn't figure out what the reservoir was for and suggested brake fluid so I'm glad I did some research first.

I've sourced some mineral hydraulic fluid in Manchester and will remedy the situation. Next time I'll buy a car that comes with a handbook...

[john from Staffs]

No probs, pleased to be of help.

But, you must find out why the fluid went, and prepare yourself for some negative cash flow as one of the following could have happened: -

Pipe split or joints leaking - this is the least costly and therefore the least likely
Pump seals worn and permitting leaks - look for oil spray around the area of the pump, and get your wallet out.
Rack seals gone - examine rack for leaks, especially look for distended gaiters which are full of fluid which will have leaked past the seals. Check for signs of fluid under the car. Check your credit card balance.
In either case running the system without the lubricating property of the fluid in the pump could have blown it and there may be swarf in the whole system caused by the dry pump starting to break up. It's no good replacing parts without a thorough examination to prove that this hasn't happened

Sorry for the misery but what you must not do is chuck away cash doing half the job, only to need to start all over again.

with best regards
john from Staffs

[Pinky]

....(heart attack).....

Appreciate the benefit of your experience, will fill her up and get mechanic to look at the points you've raised as they're beyond my abilities.

Car has been causing me to haemorrage money since I bought her, good job I didn't buy her as a cheap runner! Was the exhaust last week and the day that's fixed the steering starts playing up. Thanks again!

[john from Staffs]

Forty years' driving cars from downright knackered to fresh off the shelf has left me with an inbuilt cynicism. Are the two features mentioned in your last e-mail related? Did the exhaust fixing actions damage or dislodge a power steering pipe, or filter or whatever?

I say this as a wild ars-d guess with no knowlege of the disposition of the oily bits of a six pot A4. Sillier things have happened.

jfS

[dappodan1]

I have had major problems with My Audi Cab 97 2.6 V6 power steering. About a year ago it failed its MOT due to power steering leak, so I asked the garage to fix it (bought pump from Eurocarparts) 3 returned pumps later thought i'd better take it to a different garage they replaced some pipes, Still leaked slightly which I kept topped up then it completely went got it recovered to the latter garage, was informed that the washers were the wrong kind. Audi then proceeded to supply the wrong kind so the garage replaced with Mercedes!!! to get me motoring and the car off the Ramp..... guess what happenned today!!!! Car is pissing fluid again. I have spent over £100 on fluid and over £500 in total and the problem still isnt resolved. 14 months on and Fluid is still staining my drive AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[john from Staffs]

The trouble with power steering is that the fluid pressures developed by the pump have to be very high. When the oil gets hot and pressurised it finds its way out through any loose seals and even tiny pieces of dust can ruin the seals and cause leaks. I have only had one go at repairing a power steering rack, and it was unsuccessful. We had to buy a reconditioned one in the end.

From all this preamble, I think we must draw the conclusion that you need to know what you are doing if you start to fiddle about with high pressure hydraulics like power steering systems.

with best regards to all Dexron junkies
john from Staffs

[Pinky]

Well I filled up the reservoir with the appropriate green gloop, locked the steering out on both sides several times to get the air out, and hey presto, no more ear-achingly nasty steering noises. Result!

However I haven't had the thing off the drive since last week as where's the fun in driving a convertible when it's lashing with rain, so could have a green patch on the gravel if it's all run out the bottom again. I'm not sure I want to look ....

Dappodan1, I have to say you must be a Saint. I'm an irish colleen and I'd have battered each one of the eejits who botched your car until one of them managed to get it right. Usually all I have to do is report I've been under the bonnet and every bloke in the garage gags in shock and tells me "it's alright love, we'll fix it for yer". Might want to send the Missus to the garage with the car next time.