First sign of trouble was a slight grating noise from engine top end which grew slowly worse. A day or so later I noticed oil on the path. Ran engine on tick over to find origin of sound with a listening stick. No luck. Got in car and happened to move steering wheel and the sound grew very much louder so guessed this was power steering circuit trouble. I've swarmed beneath the car and so far find there is another radiator in a rotten position sat close up to the main radiator but on the inside, ie, nearest the engine. This is covered with oil so it seems to be leaking from some point from the top of this smaller radiator/oil-cooler. I've moved a tray to get a better view & it looks like I may have to shift a bit more to get a good look. I read a post where someone said they'd simply by-passed this cooler reckoning our climate didn't need it. I'm hoping if he reads this he'll let me know if all went well as I can't find his email address and he did the job a year ago. Anyway like I say, I've only just started and I'd be very glad of any comments about the layout of this hydraulic circuit, where it comes from, goes to, if the cooler will come out by removal of the two nuts I've so far noticed or is it a lot of trouble, and any opinions on by-passing. I've had scores of cars in my time but never come across power steering before. I must say that I'm surprised that oil gets hot just by pumping it round but there it is. Thanks and Cheers.
- posted
17 years ago