89 740 GL power steering fluid leak

Dimpsy · Sep 27th, 2010, 19:15

Would really appreciate some advice here, after having a new steering rack in order to get through the MOT, have now got a massive leak ie, will empty resevoir in one trip. Will have to go to a closer garage to try and get it fixed, as now it is leaking faster than I can fill it. However, what sort of price is a garage likely to charge, I just spent hundreds getting it through the MOT and am really worried about spending any more!

Oilydad · Sep 28th, 2010, 10:34

Find where the leak is coming from (if you have a leak) and then, using the FAQ section, do it yourself. It should be fairly straightforward to cure a simple leak.

Are you sure that it's leaking out, or has it just worked its way round the system? Sometimes when you refill from scratch it takes a while for the level to stabilise, and it could be that you just need to top up again.

One caution. Don't overfill the power steering reservoir, it can cause overpressurisation in the system, and damage seals etc.

Dimpsy · Sep 28th, 2010, 21:45

Thanks oilydad, when I say massive leak, I'm not kidding, it was taking half a bottle of fluid to go 10 miles! I was positive it was coming from the underneath and took it to a garage today, only to discover that the problem is that the steering rack the last garage fitted for the MOT is no good at all. It was supposed to be a new one, I certainly paid for a new one, but when he took the rubber 'boots' off, they were full of fluid!
Poor car, she was fine until I took her for the MOT!

Oilydad · Sep 29th, 2010, 09:50

Go back to the garage that should have fitted a NEW steering rack.

YOU have paid for a NEW rack. Presumably you will have a receipt for a NEW rack?

They should sort this out for you, fit the proper rack, and rectify the obviously shoddy work that they have done.

How it got through an MOT is very very suspicious!! If THEY also did the MOT then you are on very firm ground to take the matter a lot further.

Keep us posted!!

Dimpsy · Sep 29th, 2010, 23:55

Am going back to original garage who did the steering, (and the MOT) armed with receipt. I'll let you know how I get on!

Not looking forward to the long drive (I've moved!) - need to avoid corners and turning around!

Sep 27th, 2010, 19:15	#1
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	89 740 GL power steering fluid leak Would really appreciate some advice here, after having a new steering rack in order to get through the MOT, have now got a massive leak ie, will empty resevoir in one trip. Will have to go to a closer garage to try and get it fixed, as now it is leaking faster than I can fill it. However, what sort of price is a garage likely to charge, I just spent hundreds getting it through the MOT and am really worried about spending any more!

Sep 28th, 2010, 10:34	#2
Oilydad Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2016 21:21 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Exeter Devon	Find where the leak is coming from (if you have a leak) and then, using the FAQ section, do it yourself. It should be fairly straightforward to cure a simple leak. Are you sure that it's leaking out, or has it just worked its way round the system? Sometimes when you refill from scratch it takes a while for the level to stabilise, and it could be that you just need to top up again. One caution. Don't overfill the power steering reservoir, it can cause overpressurisation in the system, and damage seals etc. __________________ Are We Nearly There Yet! No longer a VOLVO owner, not by choice, but 'cause they don't make proper Volvos any more!

Sep 29th, 2010, 09:50	#4
Oilydad Premier Member Last Online: Mar 21st, 2016 21:21 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Exeter Devon	Go back to the garage that should have fitted a NEW steering rack. YOU have paid for a NEW rack. Presumably you will have a receipt for a NEW rack? They should sort this out for you, fit the proper rack, and rectify the obviously shoddy work that they have done. How it got through an MOT is very very suspicious!! If THEY also did the MOT then you are on very firm ground to take the matter a lot further. Keep us posted!! __________________ Are We Nearly There Yet! No longer a VOLVO owner, not by choice, but 'cause they don't make proper Volvos any more! Last edited by Oilydad; Sep 29th, 2010 at 10:00.

Sep 28th, 2010, 21:45	#3
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	Thanks oilydad, when I say massive leak, I'm not kidding, it was taking half a bottle of fluid to go 10 miles! I was positive it was coming from the underneath and took it to a garage today, only to discover that the problem is that the steering rack the last garage fitted for the MOT is no good at all. It was supposed to be a new one, I certainly paid for a new one, but when he took the rubber 'boots' off, they were full of fluid! Poor car, she was fine until I took her for the MOT!

Sep 29th, 2010, 23:55	#5
Dimpsy Master Member Last Online: Sep 29th, 2016 15:18 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Exeter	Am going back to original garage who did the steering, (and the MOT) armed with receipt. I'll let you know how I get on! Not looking forward to the long drive (I've moved!) - need to avoid corners and turning around!

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