MikeyRobbo

Had Carl's Mondeo in about 4 times in the past 2 weeks in regards to his power steering issues.

Started with a small whine that gradually got worse. I am aware the standard reservoirs starve the pump, causing the whining noise so first thing was to change that.

Noise went 10x worse so recon pump fitted, noise a little better but got worse and loss of power steering completely at intermittent times. Thought maybe dodgy recon so another one ordered and fitted under warranty still intermittent loss, notchy steering and noisy!!

Rack was last thing on the list, so got one of those ordered and fitted, cleaned pipes to check no blockages, all to no avail!

Last hope was today, another pump on as i thought if racks fucked it could be restricting flow and fucking all the pumps i'm putting on Still no better so quick ring to Ford they say flush reservoir again as shit build up from before rack could still be in the base of the bottle and restricting flow. Did this and it improved it greatly to be fair, quiet on idle and with wheels off floor its a lot quieter but with weight on under load the noise is ridiculous.

So after a modified reservoir, 3 power steering pumps and a steering rack we are still at square one. My heads absolutely battered with it, Carl is at a big loss and we've got no where.

Fords

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Carlos-Titx

We can set fire to it mate.

Fucking thing! But the steering is nice and smooth again. It's just the noise!

Hopefully someone may have an idea.

Cheers for your help though pal. Much appreciated.

Bailes1992

Flush all the pipes out as there is likely to be a restriction.

bigjohn0

Try this mate with the car on the deck and engine off turn the steering lock to lock a dozen times. Do this with the cap off the bottle and make sure the fluid is half full because it sounds like an air lock in the pump. If it does not work the first time try again until the noise stops. Its a problem i also had a few times when working on ford cars and it works a treat. Also if you have a airline blow the tyres up hard so it makes it easier on the arms.

MikeyRobbo

I had the airline through all the pipes when the rack was off, seemed to flow too good to be restricted, but they are the only remaining original part atm. I think if the pipes were restricting flow then the steering wouldn't be so smooth. Maybe something as simple as an airlock now, i'm really hoping so tbh

I'll give Ford a ring in the morning again see if they have any other advice, if not it looks like bonfire night in coming early to Liverpool, I'll let you do the honors of lighting it mate

bigjohn0

Mike try what i put in the post and it will work

Carlos-Titx

Cheers big Jon. We will try that.

Nah won't set fire to it yet incase your mate wants a swap

MikeyRobbo

Give that a go when you get a chance mate unless you want to do it here on the turn plates.

I'll keep pestering him lol

Carlos-Titx

I'll bring it down. Gets me away from the kids for a bit and have a brew in peace.

MikeyRobbo

Peace!!?? Noise of that bloody pump I'd rather listen to kids

Carlos-Titx

Not when theirs 4 of them and 3 in nappies mate!

DangerousBryan

Did you pull the plug out of the new reservoir after you fitted it? There's an extra filter in them that you pull out after a couple of minutes running.

MikeyRobbo

Yes the very thin mesh type filter that sits in the feed pipe has been removed mate.

Completely forgot to ring Ford today been hectic, first thing on my list tomorrow!

Carlos-Titx

No worries mate. I'll do the turning of the wheels with engine off tomorrow and let you know if it makes any difference.

Your mate say anything about the timing belt not being a two piece? Lol

MikeyRobbo

Hahaha funny you should say that I mentioned it today, he just got all defensive

Found that quote today aswell when your ready pal

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

If its a 1.8 diesel tje engine only has 1 timing belt. It runs of the fuel pump. There is a chain from the crank to the fuel pump.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

They changed the chain to a twin belt setup mid 08. Ford still state that the chains need replacing at 125000.

Carlos-Titx

nope there's 2 for the 1.8 bud. From October 2007.

Fuel pump - crank with oil feed.

Fuel pump - cam

Carlos-Titx

Did as suggested by big john and nothing. Still the same.

Ford were kind enough to tell Mikey to take it into them for thier tech to have a look at it.
They messed him about as the bloke wasn't there and he was told to over fill the res bottle and that was it. Didn't even look at the car but the noise is still there.

I'll just have to drive with the stereo turned right up now.

Or replace everything in one go which knowing my luck the noise will still be there.

Ah well.

MikeyRobbo

Land Rover time pal.

Carlos-Titx

I'll text you when I'm on my way mate. You can get the kettle on haha

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Are you sure matey. The 1.8 tdci.s and tdi engines in the tranny connects only have 1 belt.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

The mondeo will properly be way more reliable.

Bailes1992

Later connects have 2 belts too!
Cost me Ł640 to have both of mine changed. The lower belt is behind the oil pump so Ł170s worth of gaskets and bolts had to be replaced.

Are you 100% sure this wining is the power steering pump? My belt tensioner failed and is located right underneath the pump. When my tensioner bearing failed I was convinced that the power steering pump had croaked it.

Carlos-Titx

100% mate. The wet belt is like a cassette type.

Google ford talk 1.8 mk4 mondeo timing belt and there's a post with the diagramme as well.

Carlos-Titx

Defo not the tensioner.

It's not constant and varies in volume and noise when turning the steering.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Or well you learn something new everyday. I will google it now CarloS.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Just had a look.Your right Carlos. Ive changed a timing chain on a 1.8 before. The driver had over reved the engine and had jammed the chain some how. I think he was overtaking a vehicle and got the wrong gear????

Carlos-Titx

Yet again been down to se Mikey yet again.

Change the tensioner pulley as suggested as a last ditch effort to see if it's stops the noise and intermittent loss of power steering and..................

Still the bloody same

New res bottles, 3 pumps, steering rack, pipes checked and blown through and the tensioner replaced but it's still the same.

At a complete loss now so just a case of waiting to see what falls off or has a catastrophic failure as I've spent enough trying to sort it and Mikey has spent more than enough time working on the car trying to solve it.

Damn cars!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Thats just mad. What more can it be.

Carlos-Titx

There's nothing left to change pal. Fed up with the car to be honest but won't get sod all selling it with the power steering screaming it's head off here and there.

Time to attempt to save after Christmas. Mondeo will be worth more in parts as Mikey said today.

MikeyRobbo

Absolute headache! Can't think what else it can be. As i said today I'll ring Ford and enquire about their diagnostic fee and how long they'll have it for and see if we can sort something out, we'll foot the bill.

Carlos-Titx

I'd feel guilty you footing the bill. Especially after the amount of time you've worked on it without charging me already.

Bet your gaffer is gutted I brought it in to you now

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I hate it when ive been beat when i work on vehicles.

I bloody hate it when nothing goes right.

Carlos-Titx

It's annoying mate.

Glad mikeys spot on as is his garage.
He's already taken it to ford once who fucked him about as well.

MikeyRobbo

I'm just hoping that they pick up on something we've missed mate and if it only costs me a diagnostic fee there more than welcome to look! The fact its still bubbling like a caudron and over flowing the bottle has got me wondering about these modified bottles!

Carlos-Titx

You're a gent pal. You've helped me out loads the past couple of years. Especially recently with the Mondingo and I really appreciate it.

At least today's key issue was an easy fix

Left a 10mm socket in the car now just in case.

I'll check the level of fluid tomorrow. Forgot to look today while the bonnet was up.

Bailes1992

I'm 100% convinced that this is a faulty rack. I know it's been replaced but the new one could be faulty also.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Does the rack or pump etc have a breather? We get this on some of our machines at work, generally they will burp and flow oil out of the reservoir if there is a breather or a tank cap vent blockage.

Carlos-Titx

Not sure on that but it's the same with the cap off the res bottle.


It's a possibility Bailes but I can't keep throwing money at it any more as I think if I'd change another rack it'll still be the same.