I was parked up earlier with the engine ticking over for about 5 minutes. When I went to pull away the steering was so heavy I could barely move it while stationary. I managed to fight with it to get it home , a 5 minute drive. Checked the fluid and it looks like it all leaked out while being parked up.

I've read posts on here that the steering doesn't need the fluid to work , or something along those lines. If that's true what's happened !

Hope someone can help as I'm stuffed without it !

The power steering certainly needs fluid to work. You have a leak! Nothing for it but to get underneath and find the source! Sorry! You have a reservoir, a pump, piping and a rack. Not much else.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

That's what I thought , I obviously misread a post or two ! So , if there is no power steering fluid in it at all will that make the steering so heavy that it can hardly be moved ?

Yes, just like the engine is not running. Well done for getting it home!

I have not worked on the power steering, but I am concerned your pump has been driven (by the engine) with (presumably) no oil in it. Not good for the long life of the pump. You either need to get access to the system to establish the cause of the leak and fix it - or get it towed/trailered to someone who can.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Last edited by dunkley201 on 29th Aug 2016 6:48 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Ha ha yes , there was a few hairy moments !

I'll get some fluid tomorrow and try to trace the leak. I couldn't see any from the reservoir or pump. If I can't get hold of the correct fluid will any type do just to try and trace the leak ?

Fluid is Pentosin CHF202 PAS fluid (204-A2) LR number is LR003401. I do not know of what there are as equivalents 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Thanks , I'll have a look into it as I'm pretty sure my local motor world won't have the correct fluid.

Thanks for your help , much appreciated.

Site sponsor Opie oils has it @ 12.95 per litre. Ref Freel2 if you order from them. And, no, I do not know the system capacity, sorry.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Might help to know that I only used about a litre when I changed the reservoir and flushed the system through.

Thanks guys

This link http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic8893.html Tells us to have 2 litres (but not much more than 1 was used) and a good source for Pentosin is a Saab dealer (if there are any left) - Maybe GSF? (German Swedish French car parts) 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Managed to get it to the garage today . They've diagnosed that the steering rack has gone and will need to be replaced .

Typical seems as my new car is arriving in 5 weeks , just had to eeek it out for a little while longer with no problems !