gill964

I picked up my 89 C4 today after its latest visit to the mechanic who has been chasing an oil leak after a top end rebuild. This has been a frustrating experience.

I also had him replace a distributor belt while he was working on the leak.

Now the latest malady:

The car has lost its power steering. Does this have any connection to what might have been removed during the distributor belt repair?

Roland Kunz

Hello

No, it´s not direct relatet.

But the pump is driven via a thoothbelt from the right camshaft and also needs regular service and has 80-100 000 km recomended lifetime.

grüsse

Bob Krantz

When the power steering on my 89 C4 went out,it was the large bolt that holds the drive belt pulley to the cam shaft. The bolt somehow loosened, and backed off enough for the pulley to angle and release the toothed belt. You can check the condition of the belt (and pulley) by removing the small access cover just inboard of the second muffler.

Roland Kunz

Hello

Have a friend on hand.

Park the car let the engine idle and your friend turns the steering wheel:

First look in the engineroom and look at the canisterbowl on the right side.

see any Fluid in there and see the fluid splashing when the steering get turned.

Can you smell burnt rubber ?
hear the PSpump working ?

If the rear looks ok then tilt the steering to one side max and squisch the steering boot. if it is filled with fluid you need a rebuilt steering rack.

Grüsse

gill964

Roland: Thanks for the input. It turned out to be a bad pump.

I hope my streak of luck is going to turn, and soon.

Adrian

Dear Gill,
Please define bad pump. I would love to know what your mechanic told you. Failed pump=huge amount of noise, grinding of metal until the belt breaks. Leaking pump is easily fixed. Make sure you are getting the correct answers to avoid paying for things that you do not need to. If you get what I mean.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4