Resevoir bottle next to oil filler cap empty?

[simonas]

what is the resevoir next to the oil filler cap thats attached to a belt near the radiator. when you look face on its on the left hand side?

whatever it is its empty and I wonder if thats the power sterring fluid bottle as I;ve been getting a funny noise from my steering of late?

Simon

[SGN]

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Power steering,fill it up and turn wheels back and fore a few times to bleed it,Use ATF .
Cheers
Steve

[simonas]

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thanks Steve

should I be worried that there is none at al visible in the resevoir tank? the dip stick in it is bone dry

any particular brand of ATF?

Can having no ATF in there cause any damage?

Simon

[Stag Andy]

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Yep you should be worried,i suggest that you fill it and bleed it as already suggested and find the leak asap,worst case you maybe looking at a steering rack recon or if youre lucky it may be a loose or perished hose. The power steering rack doesnt like to run dry.Any atf will do.

[simonas]

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cheers Andy a job for tommorrow!!

[SGN]

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Use ATF with no Dexron in it.
Look for Comma AQF Or Carlube ATF-G.
Probably not going to do the pump any good running without fluid,have a look underneath for leaks after you refill it, if no leaks apparent squeeze the rubber bellows on either end of the steering rack, it has been known for the fluid to get in them.

Steve

[simonas]

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thanks pal

any ideas how much the resevoir takes as halfords do a 1 litre or 5 litre?

[SGN]

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Spec says reservoir takes 0.7litre.
Not sure if that includes rack.

[simonas]

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cheers pal

It will be interesting to see how much difference fluid will make to the steering

[SGN]

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Good Luck

[DJT]

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Better to use Power Steering fluid such as Comma or STP as these have an additive that restores seals and reduces leaks. Yes, this sounds like 'snake oil', butthey actually do work in power steering systems.

I am one who has used it successfully and won't go back to plain ATF.

Dave

[sjm]

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DJT wrote:

Better to use Power Steering fluid such as Comma or STP as these have an additive that restores seals and reduces leaks. Yes, this sounds like 'snake oil', butthey actually do work in power steering systems.

I am one who has used it successfully and won't go back to plain ATF.

Dave

Ditto,

Steve

[marshman]

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SGN wrote:

Use ATF with no Dexron in it.
Look for Comma AQF Or Carlube ATF-G.
Probably not going to do the pump any good running without fluid,have a look underneath for leaks after you refill it, if no leaks apparent squeeze the rubber bellows on either end of the steering rack, it has been known for the fluid to get in them.

Steve

Steve,

You can use any any ATF in the power steering. It is the BW auto box that you need to ensure you use only the correct fluid in e.g ATF-G or equivalent i.e not Dexron type.

Simon,

As your power steering is still working - it would be obvious if not - there must still be fluid circulating so I don't think you will have done any damage. as already said fill it up and bleed any air out by turning lock to lock with the engine running. Then check for leaks - the fluid has escaped somewhere. Power steering doesn't usually loose fluid at all. Don't overfill the reservoir as it will be ejected out of the filler when the system gets hot and the fluid expands.

Roger

[simonas]

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cheers for the comments chaps

well my steerings a loads better and much quieter!!! I used one with dexron in thinking it had been recomended but just spotted that a poster on here said don;t use Dexron!! doh!!

I;ll keep an eye out now for leaks and the levels to sort what the issue is

[marshman]

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simonas wrote:

cheers for the comments chaps

well my steerings a loads better and much quieter!!! I used one with dexron in thinking it had been recomended but just spotted that a poster on here said don;t use Dexron!! doh!!

I;ll keep an eye out now for leaks and the levels to sort what the issue is

Simon, as I said don't worry about the Dexron bit, it doesn't matter for power steering, it only affects Borg Warner auotmatic geaboxes.

Glad you've got it sorted

Roger