Power Steering Hose Leak

[Ratty]

Hello,

 

I have a well worn ZX elation (1.9 Deisel with 133K on the clock) which appears to have recently started leaking from the two of the rubber-steel unions in the PAS pressure line. I am uncertain how long this has been going on as the leak (which is copious) only occurs when the steering is on full lock and so as only come to light after a merry afternoon with a learner driver repeatedly attempting to hit parking-bays.

 

My question is two-fold:

1) Is there any way I can remedy this other than replacement of the entire pressure line and possibly avoid having to undo the seemingly inaccessible union at the steering rack end?

 

2) Is there any reason why this should only be occuring on full lock? I am unacquainted with the intricacies of the PAS system but see no imediate reason why the pressure in the pressure-hose should be significantly higher on full lock. Is this maybe a symptom of a further problem?

 

Any words of wisdom greatfully received.

Thanks.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi there "Ratty"!

 

1: Measure the diameter of the steel supply pipe as near to the rack as you can on a reasonably un rusty bit. It's just possible that you'll be able to get a standard compression (ermeto type) coupling which will fit. Do the same at the other end near the power steering pump. If you can get couplings to fit, crop out the entire length of defective pipe and get a local engineering firm to make up a hydraulic hose that will join the cropped ends together. A hose of the type used on JCBs and Hydraulic Diggers etc will do the trick and will be MUCH cheaper than the proper job from citroen. They should only charge you per metre for the hose and a pound or so for the ends, plus the guy's time (Half an hour at most ) for making it up. Put it on and clip it up out of the way with cable ties. Job done!

 

A wee tip for getting a compression coupling to seal on a pipe, the surface of which is pitted with corrossion, is to do it up to the recommended amount and then undo it, Smear the pipe and coupling olive with araldite or some other epoxy adhesive (the pipe MUST be clean and free from grease/ oil), do it up again and leave it to "Go off". The epoxy resin will seep into any gaps and seal any potential leaks.

 

2:In a power steering system the pump is being driven all the time. The oil is circulating round the system unimpeded until you turn the wheel in either direction. When you turn the wheel, the valve block on the rack allows pressure fluid to flow to one side or other of the assistance ram, and return oil to flow back to the tank from the opposite side. When you get to full lock, this valve is still being held open by the position of the steering wheel but the fluid now has nowhere to go, so the pump pressure will rise until the relief valve lifts and allows the oil to recirculate. This is perfectly normal and not usually a problem unless you have a pipe on the way out. Then it will show up exactly as yours has done.

 

Cheers. Hope this helps. :D

[Ratty]

Splendid stuff, thank you, Colin.

 

The pipe is 10mm OD and a call to the local Pirtek has elicited a provisional quote of £40ish which doesn't sound too harsh. I am going to try to saw off the exterior crimping to remove the pipe rubber, hopefully revealing a nice unpitted stub of steel pipe underneath. Access for this is still awkward for a hacksaw so I might extend my tool-centric kleptomania in the direction of a B&D Wizard, Dremel or similar. I shall report back with any newly won wisdom once the deed is done.

 

Thanks again.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Hi there

 

£40 ish is what I would expect frome such an establishment. Try pricing up the "proper" pipe from Citroen and you'll see how much you're saving. A better bet for cropping off the pipe would be one of the small pipe cutters which you roll around the pipe. They cause no "Swarf" or filings so may be kinder to the system.

 

Happy tinkering :(

[Ratty]

Hello,

 

Job done and all ticketty-boo so far. I was able to cut off the steel crimping and then slide off the two rubber hose sections without having to cut the actual steel pipe at all. The two replacement hose sections with olives etc came to £56 from Pirtek and (barring a cross-threaded nut which Pirtek were happy to replace) went on in a straight-forward fashion.

 

Many thanks for your suggestion. I have not dared to look up the full replacement price from Citroen but I have no doubt that I have made a significant saving and managed to avoid covering my nice new auxiliary drive belt with hydraulic fluid.

[Guest Colin Hunter]

Glad to know you've got it sorted and that my suggestion worked. I did a similar repair on an aircon pipe on my Xantia which cost under £20 against £170 plus fitting and vat for the proper one from Citroen. Still had to pay for a regas though. Can't win 'em all! The pipe was still OK 3 years on when I sold the car.

 

Cheers. Happy Motoring! :P