Hi,
My nightmares are unfolding slowly....according to the mot history, the last two mot says:
06/06 -Offside Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.1b)
06/07 -Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.1b)
Is this something I can fix myself or do I need to take it to a garage?
Also the PAS fluid level is below the minimum mark. I went to a garage to buy the fluid and I also mention the leak. The guy gave me a Granville ATF Dexron, part no. 0117, and said top it up and see how quick the fluid level drops.
I cannot see the ford speficication numbers anywhere on the bottle, I checks their website, is this stuff OK for my focus?
www.granvilleoil.com/transmissionwind.html
Thanks
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Leaks - sometimes a quick turn of the spanner can solve these, but if a washer has gone or something has perished, then even in the best case, the system will need to be bled and any air removed. In the worst case, it will need to be drained and refilled entirely. It depends where the leaks are.
If you have not drained a power steering system before, just check nothing is obviously loose (but do not tighten too tight or you may strip something).
Otherwise best left to garage.
Oil - Two of the types on web page mention a ford spec, the 117 says GM.
You need to check the owners handbook for correct ATF grade - You said the bottle does not have have "suitable for Ford spec. (XXXX)" then maybe safer to pop down to one of the many Motor factors that sell Ford spec ATF. If the viscosity is incorrect for the car then I guess the pump may suffer in the longer term.
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Thanks Saltrampen,
The manual does not give the viscosity details, its just says ATF to Ford specification m2c 195-a.
Its just that I dont have a ford dealer near me...I'll have to make that trip I guess.
I couldnt see any leaks on the pipes connected to the fluid tank, there is not drips on the road either, not sure where else to look. I think I'll have to take it to a garage.....just dont wanna get ripped off.
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My Mondeo weeps out of the rubber hoses which come out from the bottom of the Power Steering Reservoir. It's caused by the type of Hose Clips used, which are fine when the car is new but, as the car ages and the rubber hoses harden, they loosen off and can't be tightened. It's only a very slight weep, and the MOT tester hasn't ever mentioned it, I just clean up the bottom of the reservoir and top up the fluid once in a while. I believe they all do this unless the hose clips are actually replaced.
Just wonder whether this could possibly be your problem?
I also found all the different types of ATF fluids very confusing so I went to the Ford dealer and bought the one they gave me.
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You need to see that Ford spec written on the bottle of ATF fluid. A big branch of Halfords or equivalent should sell this.
Sounds like a very slight leak, probably less likely to drip when engine off. Check pipes going to steering rack for leakage as well.
If it is only going to be hoses and clips and perhaps a refill, then I would expect cost to be between £50 to £150. I think on some cars you just wiggle the wheel back and forth after refilling to drive air to expansion reservoir and top up - so shouldnt be a big job.
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I took the car to a garage for oil change and the guy told me that the belt that drive p/s pump was too tight and hecnce the cause of the leak from the pump.
how does one check the tension on this belt..I am guessing its called the serpentine belt?
would the cause the pump to leak?
thanks
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A sense of proportion here colleagues! We're talking a 7 year old car with a slight weep on the p/s. Its passed 2 MOT's with advice and doesn't seem to be shedding loads of fluid. My suggestion is "live with it". Everybody wants a perfect car but that costs loads of money. Until it becomes unsafe (p/s fluid by the gallon) just keep topping it up.
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The belt cannot be too tight because it's self-tensioning by means of a spring-loaded tensioner!
I agree with stevekay. While it isn't using gallons of fluid and still can pass an MOT just live with it and top it up when it runs a bit low. That's what I've done with my leaking power steering hose clips, my MOT tester has never even mentioned it. I probably only top the fluid up once a year in spite of the leak.
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Thanks guys, I will take your advice and live with it. I topped it up just over a week ago, still same label, will monitor and see how long it takes to go down to Min. level.
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