After lunch today I noticed a bit of a whine as I went round a roundabout, but didn't notice it again so figured it was just a "quirk". Then, just now on a quick trip to the airport, the whine came back with a vengeance.
SYMPTOMS: As soon as I started the car the whine was obvious, and seemed to be engine speed related (revving quickened the noise). Also, the noise was a LOT louder turning right than left, and barely noticable straight ahead unless I was going slowly. Noise got loud when dry steering, but stopped when I stopped turning the wheel (ie not constant unless changing steering angle). Definitely from the front of the car, and sounded like it's coming from the o/s/f wheel/radiator area... as best I can tell.
Could it be as simple as the steering fluid being low (odd to happen suddenly, and with no warning) or could it be the diff away to give up and cost me more than the stupid car is worth? It's a little dark/early/cold, and I'm too tired, to go checking fluid levels so I'm off to sleep and hopefully I can wake up to a stream of "No worries, a tenner down at Halfords will sort it" type comments.
Roll on annual revue/raise/birthday/S4 I say.
ps - thanks in advance for any help
SYMPTOMS: As soon as I started the car the whine was obvious, and seemed to be engine speed related (revving quickened the noise). Also, the noise was a LOT louder turning right than left, and barely noticable straight ahead unless I was going slowly. Noise got loud when dry steering, but stopped when I stopped turning the wheel (ie not constant unless changing steering angle). Definitely from the front of the car, and sounded like it's coming from the o/s/f wheel/radiator area... as best I can tell.
Could it be as simple as the steering fluid being low (odd to happen suddenly, and with no warning) or could it be the diff away to give up and cost me more than the stupid car is worth? It's a little dark/early/cold, and I'm too tired, to go checking fluid levels so I'm off to sleep and hopefully I can wake up to a stream of "No worries, a tenner down at Halfords will sort it" type comments.
Roll on annual revue/raise/birthday/S4 I say.
ps - thanks in advance for any help