Just went out to start the car & as soon as it fired up there was a huge screeching noise & massive drain on the battery so i shut it off & popped the boonnet to take a look.

Couldnt see anything wrong at all so i started her up again but this time left it ticking over while i went to take a look, the screeching noise was loud as hell & before i got a chance to get out of the car & take a look smoked started to bellow up from the bonnet so i shut it off.

It looked as though the smoke was coming from the power steering pump but i cant be sure. (bottom right side of the engine)

Has anybody got any experience with power steering pumps? Can they sieze & cause the belt to squeal as it trys turn the pulley? Is there any way to test it?

Im pretty clueless with this sort of thing to be honest but my cars a daily runner so i need it sorting asap!

thanks