Power Steering Leak

[Lemon S3]

I've had a leak for a while now which takes a couple of days before it needs to be topped up again. I've had a good look and can't see where it's coming from, I've even left a big piece of cardboard under the car to catch any drips to narrow it down but not a single drop. I've even tried the stop leak stuff but didn't make a difference.

Was wondering are there any common places for it to leak from, if any?

 

[<tuffty/>]

Almost always the pipework in front of the engine... comes from the pump into a flexi hose then back to a hard hose that acts as a cooler... pretty much all PS leaks stem from that pipe... replacement from VAG is 150 quid or more from memory but others have had the flexi replace by hydraulic specialists for less than 50 quid... assuming the leak isn't from hard pipe corrosion...

They normally leak on the flexi joints

<tuffty/>

 

[Crazypete00]

I have the annoying power steering leak. i havent found the leak yet, but just wanted to check with the diagram below is it usually number 5 or 7 flexi's that leak? or failing that the metal cooler part number 6?

 

[<tuffty/>]

I have the annoying power steering leak. i havent found the leak yet, but just wanted to check with the diagram below is it usually number 5 or 7 flexi's that leak? or failing that the metal cooler part number 6?

Number 4

<tuffty/>

 

[[Dave B]]

Either 5 or 7 leaked on mine, can't remember which one.

 

[StaceyS3]

Number 4 went on mine and was the hard pipe that had chaffed its way through, oem one was around £300 iirc so got the whole thing made up by a mate at a hydraulics firm for £80

 

[s3dave]

No 6 is the big one that is open to the elements , i got my refrigeration guy to copy it out of copper tubing, and its been fine since..

 

[Lemon S3]

Cheers for the help guys, looks like it's going to be expensive and a pig to do. Joy

 

[Crazypete00]

ok thanks everyone. so anything from 4-7 is the usual cause. need to jack mine up and take a look.

P.S. might be worth making this a sticky and merge it with http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/174920-pas-whine-loss-fluid.html

 

[vrbob]

Mine was number 6 also. I did get a replacement from the stealers due to wanting something to fit right and get the car working again asap.

When i had a slight accident using an angle grinder removing my downpipe and nicked another power steering pipe but this one was stainless steel and connected by banjo fittings. I managed to get the hole repaired at a local metal fabrication place for £5 so that worked out ok.

 

[Crazypete00]

Well replaced section 6 and looks like I still have a leak. Number 4 is pretty badly corroded but can't see any leaks on it, think it might be the 2 flexi joints, anyone know how much they are to replace and how do I get them off?

and how much fluid does it take to completely refill an empty system? I had to flush the pink stuff out and replace with green, it's taken 2 litres and not up to the min line on the dip stick yet

 

[ShaunS3]

I recently replaced number 6 on my build and was circa £50.00 + VAT from my local TPS.

 

[CLSmooth]

Any idea where to get the flexi tubing from as I have a leak on one of those. The inner rubber has split and its leaking through the jubilee clips?

 

[Gops]

I replaced 6 recently, £65 inc vat. It's the oil cooling pipe and its prone to leak

 

[TwinCamMan]

No 6. went on mine too, made my own from copper pipe and painted it black. Perfect ever since and you'd be hard pushed to spot that it was made from copper pipe.

 

[Jay 01 s3]

If you don't find a leak try the tie rod boots I couldn't find mine for ages, done the whole cardboard thing and found boot full of oil

 

[Munch]

Mines leaking from 16, but only slightly, haven't checked any where else yet

 

[L55DSW]

Hi guys, help please i have a really bad leak and its the pipe next to the gearbox, thats why its leaking its been rubbing on the gearbox, which number is the pipe i need?? is it 7?? i cant tell from the diagram sorry.....

or it maybe 5..????

 

[s3dave]

Hi guys, help please i have a really bad leak and its the pipe next to the gearbox, thats why its leaking its been rubbing on the gearbox, which number is the pipe i need?? is it 7?? i cant tell from the diagram sorry.....

or it maybe 5..????

Thats a fairly impossible to answer question mate without seeing it, take a pic?

 

[L55DSW]

Thats a fairly impossible to answer question mate without seeing it, take a pic?

Sorry mate, ill get a pic afterwork and post it..

 

[L55DSW]

Sorry never got round to a pic, it was my steering rack that had broke, new one fitted now so skint but happy ha

 

[quattrokid]

Guy... found this thread so you'll see it under new posts