996.2 Power Steering Fluid Leak

[dc2100k]

EDIT: it's power steering fluid!

Just woke my car up from a couple of months slumber and was getting prepared and ready to go when I noticed a fluid leak from under the car, front centre-right. Where the car was sitting idling before I moved it there doesn't seem to be any leakage but as soon as I started moving there is a slick and where I stopped to open the gates there is rather a lot of fluid. I turned the car off and pushed it back into it's parking spot and the leak has stopped again.

Most likely culprits? PS pipes? Steering rack seal?

I am booked in for an MOT on Monday so it looks like I'm going to have to cancel that now as it seems unlikely this is getting solved before then.

Any pointers gratefully appreciated.

 

[MisterCorn]

The ferrules around the flexible part of the pipe just before it meets the rack most likely split and leaking.
I believe there are alternatives to new pipes, they are silly money.

MC

 

[dc2100k]

Thanks MisterCorn. I will have a bit of time to investigate tomorrow and see if I can fix prior to Monday - do I need to pull the undertray or arch lining to get to this area? Is this the jubilee clip fix that other people have mentioned? I'll pop over to OPC on Monday morning and get some Pentosin as there doesn't seem to be availability from any other local source.

 

[MisterCorn]

If you take your drivers side wheel off you will be able to see it I think.

Yes it is the part fixed with a jubilee clip, but it sounds like yours will be too far gone. You can see the pipes in this video I made yesterday, I point out the bits which corrode at about 50 seconds.



MC

 

[Alex]

Mind recently dumped all the fluid all over the road. Could have fixed it with a jubilee clip but my mechanic bought one of those crimping tools and crimped a new clip on the end and refilled. Would've thought you'll be able to sort this with a jubilee clip.

 

[dc2100k]

Perfect, thanks guys. I've got some T-Mex stainless worm drive bands in the garage - hopefully this will be enough to keep me on the road for now and I'll see what my local specialist has to say about re-making the connections when it's getting tested.

Cheers.

 

[ndg]

If it went when you steered the car for the first time there's a good chance it's the transfer pipes on the rack (I had the same happen to me, engine had been running, no leak, then drove and steered and it failed).

This thread has a few pictures and links to suppliers if that is the fault.
http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=142882&highlight=rack+pipe