Hello all,

 

Questions about power steering pump.  Car: Without AirCon, 6n2, petrol, 8 valve. AKK engine. 150,000 miles.

 

Not 100% sure but think power steering pump is failing. Engine noisey and a lot quieter with auxiliary belt off. Alternator new around 40,000 miles ago and belt tensioner seems relatively quiet by hand.

 

Questions:

 

How much fluid required?

Part number for pump? so I don't have to strip it down first.

How many miles do these last?

If I let it fail on road will I get home or does the pump lock up?

 

Will try and post video of slack in the rotation of the pulley. There is a lot but think it's been like that for many miles.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Simon

2 litres of fluid  https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/polo+derby+vento-ind/po/2001-240/4/422-422060/#30

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/polo+derby+vento-ind/po/2001-240/1/145-145080/#1

How long is a bit of string ? I don't think there is a specific life expectancy for them.

The steering will just become very heavy at parking speeds but while driving you probably won't notice too much

Thanks nige! That's just what I needed - as usual!

 

I've got one litre of the fluid you referenced: G004000M2. It has a date on it of 11/18 but is unopened.  Is it like brake fluid. Does it go off even with the top sealed?

If it's un-opened it'll be fine 👍

Great stuff! Thanks!

Update with video! (Around 45 megs.)

 

The slack is all rotational by the way - the pulley doesn't move end on.

 

Noisy bearing - is this normal? :http://www.cosaw.f2s.com/NotBackedUp/steering-pump.mp4

Edited 9 November, 20187 yr by cosaw
Additions.

Ok. Replaced with one from a breakers (£25) that had supposedly done around 60,000 miles to my 150,000. I compared the pumps off the car and the slack seen in the video above seemed a lot less when off the car but surprisingly similar once on the car. However, the newer pump was noticeably quieter on spinning clockwise by hand and felt a bit better by feel alone.  Could be the bearing as opposed to the impeller.  Weight of steering has not changed much either (I'm having difficulty judging though cos I'm now driving a Corsa as well that has lighter steering.)

 

Newer pump has taken the nasty noise away though so I guess that's it for this episode. The Mechanics' Stethoscope paid for itself in the end then and now I can hear the other noises better too!

 

Job was relatively simple.  I flushed it once with the old pump on and then filled and bled it once with the newer pump.  What came out first looked serviceable if a little dirty.  In both instances the system took around 600ml.  The genuine fluid, from TPS, was actually cheaper than all the other equivalent versions online - £7.31 per litre, excluding VAT.

 

Thanks all!

Edited 19 November, 20187 yr by cosaw
Corrections.