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Old 31 August 2018, 07:05 PM
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Benlooker
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Default Power steering/fluid problem

So I was out this afternoon for a drive, after around 20 minutes of spirited driving I seemed to loose my power steering.

I pulled over and the power steering fluid was boiling over and seeping out of the lid.

I wasnt far from home so let it cool down for 10 minutes then drove home slowly, i seemed to get power steering back for a second intermittently on the way home.

Its parked outside, I'm hoping once it cooled down completely it *might* fix itself?!

Has anyone any experience of this happening to them?
Old 31 August 2018, 07:19 PM
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Don Clark
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Is it actually boiling or is it foaming with air bubbles??.

Whatever, first thing to try is change the fluid as most people don't bother.
Old 31 August 2018, 07:23 PM
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Benlooker
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Foaming and bubbling a lot.

I need it to get to work in the morning, am I likely to damage anything if I do?
Old 31 August 2018, 07:46 PM
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A couple of things, most importantly is that power steering fluid is flammable, so make sure it's not dripping onto anything hot.
If it's foaming it sounds like something has failed and letting a lot of air into the system.
Can you see any fluid leaking out?
Old 31 August 2018, 08:00 PM
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Benlooker
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No I can't see any leakes anywhere, it's bubbling and expanding in the power steering tank and a small amount has leaked out the lid. It's still got lots of fluid in.
Old 31 August 2018, 08:07 PM
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JDM_Stig
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The 'foaming' you describe is almost certainly air getting into the system. The power steering pump will cause a suction effect in the pump and then pressurise the system. Look for loose hose clips, damaged piping, and leaking seals on the pump body between the pump and its fluid reservoir
Old 31 August 2018, 08:12 PM
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Benlooker
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Brilliant, thanks everyone help. I'll get under on Monday check everything and replace the fluid whilst there.

Old 31 August 2018, 09:47 PM
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Don Clark
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A very common failure is the seal on the top of the pump on the suction line drawing in air.

Item highlighted in red below - O-ring 34439FG000


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-2018...oAAOSwmuVaWoKJ
Old 01 September 2018, 08:26 AM
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ZANY
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Through experience mine was foaming and making a whining noise as it had lost its properties in the fluid after being in there for over 10 years

chaged it the noise went and foaming stopped

never boiled though unless you got a leak taking air in
Old 01 September 2018, 01:20 PM
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imprezagaz
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Originally Posted by Don Clark
A very common failure is the seal on the top of the pump on the suction line drawing in air.

Item highlighted in red below - O-ring 34439FG000


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-2018...oAAOSwmuVaWoKJ

+1. Had this before With the o ring. Changed it and it was good as new. Easy to try to rule out.
Old 06 September 2018, 08:37 AM
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Did changing the fluid sort out the issue?
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