In Germany - Loss of power steering

[Chucky]

Another tale of woe from overseas unfortunately and would love the technical advice from those with more knowledge than myself!

So we have been driving in Europe for two days after taking the van around UK for 6 weeks, where the van has been running well with exception of a new fuel pump.

Now we have made our way across the channel and upon returning to the car i noted a fluid under the vehicle aboout 20cm in diameter on the right hand drivers side of the vehicle. Wasnt sure if it was air con as had been running with that previously and drove with no further issues. Later that day the steering seemed rough and checked the power steering fluid and is about an inch and a half below the low line.

Now not sure where to go from here, does this sound like a leak in the seals and how do ppl think I would go about a local mechanic getting these or am I going to need relocating back to uk. Also have read about leak stop but am sure this is only a temp fix and I seem to have lost a fair bit of fluid all at once.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Cheers
Craig

[321Away]

power pump seal (depending on which) can be a pain in the backside to change especially if there's a language barrier! the alternative is refill the resevoir and see how long it takes to drain down? but if you have a puddle that big then you'll likely have a fairly big leak, which is more likely to be an end seal rather than a top seal. Seals are readily available and can be posted cos they're only small.

Julian

[eoptio]

Hi

sorry to hear ref your problem. We had a leak of power steering fluid recently as well, turned out to be the pinion seal. Once we replaced this, leak stopped. Tried 'stop leak' first, that did not work. The leak was very gradual, ie not losing the fluid all at once. Got the full seal kit via the internet, putting it in was a bit fiddly but do-able, I would have thought a local mechanic would be ok to do this once they have the parts.

K

[missfixit70]

I had a very gradual pinion seal leak for 2 years before I got around to fixing it, managed to drive around europe & france ok, just kept an eye on level.
I'd have a look & see if you can see where it's leaking from, try refilling with some power steering stop leak if you can get some, or DIII power steering fluid if not, & running it to see if it's squirting out anywhere, could be a hose leaking I suppose? When did you last check the PS level? Could it be a case of a little leak looking like a lot of oil & it's been going on for a while?
This thread may help if it's the top pinion seal, not a big job - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=39386 & can be done in situ if it is that seal (most common one to leak)

[Chucky]

Well after a long day at a Mazda dealership (cannot believe it happened within 5kms of a Mazda dealership in Germany.)

However, they diagnosed as full rack and pinion set and could not obtain one. I got in the pit with them and noted that it appears to be coming from the top seal of the power steering casing.

I've picked up a couple of bottles of stop leak as a first measure and will see how it goes.

Will keep you all informed as to how we are going. Problem with seal set etc is that we don't have anywhere which we can get the kit delivered and they had never seen a bongo before and has been a Mazda mechanic for 20 years!

[missfixit70]

Not surprised they haven't seen one over there TBH, but if it's the top pinion seal like you say, the stop leak should slow it if it's not a catastrophic leak, then sort it when you get home as per the thread above, certainly shouldn't need a new steering rack. Just keep a good eye on the PS levels in the meantime, the bonus being, all that oil blowing backwards under the bongo as you drive will help slow any rust issues enjoy the rest of your trip

[tallbongo]

We've just had a similar problem (top seal leak).

In with a Bongo specialist at the moment and he has quoted 250 to replace with a reconditioned rack, or 180 to strip and replace the seal.

[missfixit70]

Seal kit just over £30 retail (only one seal needed) & @ 1 hrs labour to do it in situ, even with vat, that's over £100 an hour labour.

[mikexgough]

We've just had a similar problem (top seal leak).

In with a Bongo specialist at the moment and he has quoted 250 to replace with a reconditioned rack, or 180 to strip and replace the seal.

[Diplomat]

Is this yet another Bongo speciality that we can all look forward to experiencing?


Frank

[tallbongo]

Seal kit just over £30 retail (only one seal needed) & @ 1 hrs labour to do it in situ, even with vat, that's over £100 an hour labour.

It does seem very expensive. I've only read good things about this dealer on the forum and the price for the replacement rack doesn't seem too bad.

I have 2 options:

1) Get seal kit and ask local mechanic to do job.
2) Get the rack replaced at the specialist.

I'm really not sure which to do. The van suffers from steering wobble at 60 - 70 mph. It's the same with two different sets of wheels, so I doubt it's wheel balancing. Could steering rack wear contribute to this? Or vice versa?

[MountainGoat]

If you need a mechanic around Edinburgh then Dandywarhol recommends GBL Motors of Duff Street, Edinburgh. I have had my tappets and service & mot done there. Prices are reasonable.

Tony

[tallbongo]

Thanks MG. Will keep it in mind should I need it in the future.

MissFixit - think the labour was quoted for taking the whole unit out as per the factsheet. However, the price quoted for the seal kit was very high. I hope this was just an error on the mechanic's part as the price for a few other bits seem reasonable.

[missfixit70]

I'd suspect you're right, may be worth pointing them at the thread re doing it in situ? Price for replacing with a recon unit isn't too bad.

[Chucky]

Hi all,

Still going overseas and it appear the Lucas stop leak is still slowly coming out of the power steering top seal. Now over here I can't find the Dexion III, however the mechanic has given me Dexelia ATF M-V fluid. I was wondering if it is possible to use this for a month or so before returning home and changing the seals and power steering fluid.

Would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks
Craig