Help Please - Suspect Power Steering Pump

[Mint]

Well pulled the Zed out to start getting ready for the meet on Sunday, she started first time (since last October) but there was a different noise from the engine. Firstly I thought water pump but when I looked where she had been parked there was a pool of power steering fluid under the front of the car. I checked the level and sure enough it was empty. Went off to buy a litre so have topped up to the right level and will see tomorrow if it's still there. However I am thinking the power steering pump has failed. So my questions are:
Is it a DIY job to change it bearing in mind I only have a trolley jack and axle stands?
Where would be the best place to source it - can you get refurbed pumps?
Thanks for any help...
Dave

 

[Zed Carer]

Sorry to hear about your problem but, as fluid has leaked out I would have a good look at all the connections first. IIRC there have been posts about the connection to the pump failing and also the pipes to/from the cooler in front of the radiator. The noise might just be the fact that the pump was running dry? Hope that you get it sorted quickly.

 

[Mint]

Cheers Bill

 

[Brian4]

Agree with above Dave, the hoses would be first point to check .They run under the engine bay to the steering rack.
Hope you get sorted.

 

[Mint]

Ok, I'll get underneath tomorrow and get the splash guard off and have a good look. I'll let you know.

 

[zedonist]

If you get stuck Mint give me a shout, available at some point the weekend...

 

[Mint]

If you get stuck Mint give me a shout, available at some point the weekend...

Thanks for the offer of help Rich, I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow...

 

[t-tony]

Noise is likely the pump running dry Dave as mentioned before, though why it should "suddenly" leak onto the floor is a bit strange. I would fill it up to the level and road test it and see what happens from there.

Tony.

 

[Mint]

mmm true. She hsn't moved for 4 months and she was ok last time we were out. I'll see later.

 

[Mint]

In the words of Manfred Mann's Earth Band... Davy's On the Road Again.
This morning, I got her up on axle stands and removed the plastic under tray from the front of the engine to see this:

So you were right Bill, it was the union between the steel pipe from the cooler and the rubber hose. When I started cleaning it down the metal clip which was there originally came away in very rusty pieces so the joint was leaking all the time. So after a good clean I fitted a jubilee clip and waited (had a coffee) to see if it leaked.

Very pleased to say NO, dry as a bone. Cleaned up then refitted the under tray, topped up the reservoir and went for a test drive.
So the noise I heard on initial start up was the power steering pump running dry - full marks to Bill and Tony for that. Also full marks to Bill & Brian for suggesting checking the pipework/hoses.
Cheers Guys
Dave

 

[Zed Carer]

Hi Dave

Glad that it was a simple fix. Might just change mine before it starts leaking.

Bill

 

[Brian4]

I would think it may have been leaking for a while and finally drained out as it was standing. Pleased is was an easy fix though.
If you get a chance probably worth cleaning the rest of the steel work and giving it a coat of paint as I have heard the pipes are difficult to find apart from main dealers and they are expensive.

 

[Mint]

If you get a chance probably worth cleaning the rest of the steel work and giving it a coat of paint as I have heard the pipes are difficult to find apart from main dealers and they are expensive.

Actually, I did Brian...

 

[Brian4]

I was meaning the ones under the engine as well., bit like brake pipes they soon corrode but as yours are now covered in Power steering fluid I guess they are treated.

 

[graeme cook]

Hey, steering issues again , the power steering pumps gone mines a 2.0 6 pot 1999 , are they the same as 36 or not ?

 

[IainP]

They’re all the same
I’ve just put one from an engine I’ve stripped into my recycling pile if you want it for postage, I’ll never use it. When I tried it, pumped fluid through, came off a 318 did 70K (allegedly).

 

[colb]

Rubber hoses at the pump rot out at the ends and the crimp fasteners corroded away. Might get away with trimming the rotted ends of it if it leaves long enough to reconnect using jubilee clips.Given the age of the rubber replace the entire hoses.

 

[graeme cook]

They’re all the same
I’ve just put one from an engine I’ve stripped into my recycling pile if you want it for postage, I’ll never use it. When I tried it, pumped fluid through, came off a 318 did 70K (allegedly).

that would be great how do you want me to send you some funds ?

 

[Stevenod]

They’re all the same
I’ve just put one from an engine I’ve stripped into my recycling pile if you want it for postage, I’ll never use it. When I tried it, pumped fluid through, came off a 318 did 70K (allegedly).

Can you help with an opinion as to whether my pump sounds to be bad?
I have the alternator out to do the leaky oil filter housing gasket at the moment. I idly spun the steering pump pulley and it spins with no force, if I flick it it spins a whole half turn. You tested your spare pump; I should feel it pumping, right?
There is fluid in the steering reservoir. Was low when I got the car. Signs of leakage around PAS-hose clips but hard to tell as there's oil everywhere from the filter housing leak. The steering is drivable but feels very heavy to me. I'm new to Z3s though. It does change note a bit at full lock so it's trying to do something.
I reckon maybe the reservoir's integral filter is blocked so no oil, or little oil, is getting to the pump.
I've ordered a new reservoir anyway.

 

[graeme cook]

Hey , sorry only just seen the post , my rack was p****** oil out but the pump wasn't trying to get a good rack is hard ! i got a recon they collect your
old one f.o.c . worked for ten minutes then back to how it was changed the pump for a recon one as well and don't forget to change the reservoir
as well as it has a little filter in it the drive it it slowly worked the air out itself .