VERY noisy power steering, HELP!!

[MehdiB]

Had my S3 a few weeks now, and the last couple of days the power steering has become VERY whiny. It's always been quite loud but it is really bad now. If i'm still and turn lock to lock it's not so bad, if revs are anywhere above idle when you turn the wheel its LOUD.

I will be checking the fluid as soon as i get a chance, but is it likely to be anything else? Costs involved?

The car has done 76k with FASH

 

[Khufu]

does it work ok or is it notchy? I could just be the belt slipping, It really shouldnt cost too much to replace.You probably could manage it yourself.

 

[MehdiB]

I am going to check if it is the belt slipping, the steering feels fine, no loss of aid from lock to lock, just an awful noise, as if there is air in the system...

 

[AndyMac]

If the fluid gets really low, it will sound terrible like the car is about to fall apart.
Check the level immediately as you could do a lot of damage. Only top it up with VAG mineral oil, don't be tempted to use something from Halfords.
If the level keeps dropping then you've got a leak and it could/will get expensive. I had a leak in the steering rack and it was £800 for a recon and that was at a specialist, £1200+ at a dealer!

 

[MehdiB]

does anyone know where the resivoir tank is on an S3?

 

[god_thats_quick]

you can just about make it out in the pic below, it's the GREEN cap on the left of the pic.

obviously yours should have an engine in the way! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh_roll.gif

edited because I'm having a bad day and don't want to confuse people!

 

[MehdiB]

nice and easy to get to i see.......any recommendations on oil if there is a Halfords near by and no Audi dealer around?!

 

[HTC]

.

 

[MehdiB]

fight fight fight.....fortunately i can tell the difference. I hope.

 

[god_thats_quick]

acutally ignore my previous post, that's the brake fluid one, it's the green one in the middle on the left, you'll need to remove the screw and the left hand cover to see it, but that's really easy.

You could phone and Audi dealer and ask them, regarding the oil, they can be helpful sometimes.

 

[god_thats_quick]

see I knew someone would spot it before I finished typing my response... DOH /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bang.gif

 

[AndyMac]

As already stated you need to use VAG mineral oil (not high street stuff).
You can get it from any VAG dealer for £8

 

[Khufu]

i wish you wouldnt keep posting that pic God_thats_quick, its very disturbing LOL

 

[AndyMac]

Looks like it should definately have a caption:
Something like:
"After a routine oil change the stealer seemed to be missing some parts"

 

[Kevint]

"I'm sure the pollen filters in here somewhere?"

Kev.

 

[god_thats_quick]

haven't laughed so much in ages, cheers chaps.

Khufu - my apologies, if it's disturbing for you... think of what it's like for me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

AndyMac wins the caption competition though!

hopefully my next visit or two to AmD will be more pleasant! still need to figure out which bushes are knackered at the front though. Then it'll be suspension and remap. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ok.gif