Leak !!!!!!!

[Skutter]

I hope someone can help with this. I have recently noticed my PAS whining & having checked fluid levels it seems to be leaking from below the pump by the hose flange, which I will try to tighten, could it mean a new pump :?:  :?:  :shock:

[Budgie]

It could mean your pump is on the way out, or it cold just mean that there is a loose connection there and air has got into the system.

Have you noticed the steering getting stiff at all? If so them tighten up the connection and bleed the system at the steering box to see if this makes any difference.

Give us a shout if you need instructions on how to bleed it.  

[Skutter]

Noisy and a little bit stiff when cold but when warmed up its like there is nothing wrong. Looks like the reservoir is empty, and the shops are shut!!
Could a hose flange come loose all on its own or does the pump "leak" when the bearings are going as in a water pump?

[Spooky]

You need to top it up ASAP.

The noise you describe is the pump drawing in air due to a low oil level in the reservoir. This noise goes away as the car warms up because the oil has expanded; subsequently the oil level has gone up!

It doesn't take much of a leak to cause this type of noise, as the reservoir is, IMHO, too small ...

[BrumLee]

You may find that you just need to nip the unions up as they can work loose on a diesel (they shake a little more than a petrol    :lol: ) If the bearings were going it would be noisy when warm, moreso than when cold.

Nip it, top it and see how it goes. HTH

[Skutter]

Thanx guys, found the problem. The reservoir hose flange bolts weren't fully tight onto the pump housing, must have vibrated loose like Lee said. Tightened them up, filled up the fluid, bled the system and all is well with the world again.
When the weather is warmer i will remove the flange and fit a new seal, and fit shakeproof washers and threadlock to stop it happening again!

Thanx again  :D  :D  :D  :D