Hey boyz, ive got a problem with my steering that i cant figure out. Everytime i drive onto the M1 from a big round on-ramp i get aLOT of white smoke pouring out of my engine bay. It seems too be happening everytime i go around a large left hand circle where u HAVE to keep the wheel at the lock point. There doesnt seem to be anything wrong with the pump or assiciated parts. It does use a little fluid but its definately not leaking and only happens when turning left. And im talking about ALOT of white smoke so much that I cant see the car behind me! The steering appears to be operating perfect with no shudders or binding. Anyone have any ideas?
It could be something leaking onto the exhaust as you corner, my friend had a leaking power steering pump in his cortina and it apparantly leaked onto the exhaust and caught fire. But it's almost impossible for it to leak onto the exhaust in an EA, maybe something else could be leaking. I noticed when I spilt a bit of automatic fluid on it smoked for ages
Yes the steering at full lock is a serious :noNO: for anything more than a split second.
Although ive got no idea of the road your talking about, I cant imagine a situation where you have to actually drive with the car at full lock, other than when parking?.
This particular on ramp comes under the M1 and curves left around 270degrees and you have not choice but too keep it on lock or else you run off the road, its quite sharp. There is also one in the valley (u brisbane people prolly know it) as yer coming from the city on ivory st. it basically does a 360 degree left hand turn. In both situations my steering will smoke this white smoke.
It doesnt smell like rubber it actually smells just like steering/brake/trans fluid just as youd find it straight from the bottle, no burning associated with it at all. Im not overly concerned coz the steering isnt showing any signs of maulfunction. So im assuming its a small leak as you guys have suggested.
hmmm.. I would have guessed that the belt was slipping for sure, might wanna check its tension just to be sure. Double check all the lines to make sure there not leaking, and if there is a leak, keep an eye on the fluid level because the pump will die real quick if its too low.
where abouts is this ramp that you have to hold it on full lock for? im pretty sure that a road like that wouldnt comply with the regs unless it had like a 20km/h speed limit - ill check my books. How do trucks go around it?
as for the problem, check the belt first, then check for leaks in the lines. also check the switch that screws into the steering rack. It is common for this to leak, which then pumps fluid into the covering of the wiring system and right through the loom (its a bitch!). It may be possible its getting on the exhaust from this.
brent stick your head under the car and see if you can trace any drips. If you pump is clean dry and the rack appears clean dry then you could very well have a leak in the high pressure line (which would force the fluid out under the intense pressure of full lock)
maybe it leaks when you turn right as well but it doesnt fall on the exhaust.
ben
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