[sumannandy]

I had to drive my car for 20-30 kms today without any power steering fluid in the reservoir. Actually the power steering fluid leaked as the mechanic forgot to tighten the screws after welding the joint that holds the fluid tank. Since it was middle of nowhere in a highway, I had to drive for about 30 kms or so before I could find a shop to pour some oil and reach garage.

The steering was not heavy, but noise was coming on each and every turn. There was no noise on straight line drive.

The mechanic said there would not be any problem.

I would want to know if there would be any problem or if there is any way I could check for any problem. We are planning to leave for interior Chikmagalur, and do not want any drama there.

[libranof1987]

Absolutely no problem driving without the PS fluid.

The lube carrying PS fluid leaked in my Corsa and I drove like that for 2-3 months.

Apart from a slightly heavy steering and a grrr noise when you turn the steering, there's no issue.

Getting it fixed will not cost much so get it done when possible.

[cyberwhizs]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Absolutely no problem driving without the PS fluid.

The lube carrying PS fluid leaked in my Corsa and I drove like that for 2-3 months.

Apart from a slightly heavy steering and a grrr noise when you turn the steering, there's no issue.

Getting it fixed will not cost much so get it done when possible.

I dont think that is correct, there is a difference between having no PS fluid and low PS fluid. Without PS fluid chances are that your PS Pump will pack up and so will the PS rack. Without lubrication it is metal on metal action. Both are not exactly cheap to repair/replace.
If you must drive, carry a bottle of PS Fluid and keep toping up at regular intervals.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

I had to drive my car for 20-30 kms today without any power steering fluid in the reservoir.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Absolutely no problem driving without the PS fluid.

Originally Posted by cyberwhizs

I dont think that is correct, there is a difference between having no PS fluid and low PS fluid. Without PS fluid chances are that your PS Pump will pack up and so will the PS rack. Without lubrication it is metal on metal action. Both are not exactly cheap to repair/replace.
If you must drive, carry a bottle of PS Fluid and keep toping up at regular intervals.

The above 2 quotes are the same, right?

Btw, here's what I had to pay :

450 - Power Steering Strainer Hose
126.32 - Steering Fluid

If I paid that for a Corsa, I'm sure he'll have to pay less unless it's another German car we're talking about!

[IQBAL VEERJI]

Originally Posted by cyberwhizs

I dont think that is correct, there is a difference between having no PS fluid and low PS fluid. Without PS fluid chances are that your PS Pump will pack up and so will the PS rack. Without lubrication it is metal on metal action. Both are not exactly cheap to repair/replace.
If you must drive, carry a bottle of PS Fluid and keep toping up at regular intervals.

My Accord ps FLUID is leaking for the last 10 months but I always kept the level of the PS oil full by adding it every 10 days time.
Repairs will cost around 18000/- without warranty and replacing the unit will be 68000/-.]
Adding oil every time is cheaper ,I spend around 120/- every two months on oil.

[Eddy]

The benefit of topping up the PS fluid actually depends on whether the leakage affects any other part.

e.g. PS fluid leakage in an Ikon causes the fluid to come in contact with the alternator and ultimately lead to its failure. Takes about 4000-5000 kms approx.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

I would want to know if there would be any problem or if there is any way I could check for any problem. We are planning to leave for interior Chikmagalur, and do not want any drama there.

Assuming the car is well maintained there would not be any issue if you run just ~30kms. You are just fine.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Absolutely no problem driving without the PS fluid.

The lube carrying PS fluid leaked in my Corsa and I drove like that for 2-3 months.

Apart from a slightly heavy steering and a grrr noise when you turn the steering, there's no issue.

AFAIK, this is incorrect. In your case, you just got lucky. No offense, but this is not the correct way of maintaining a car.

Driving without power steering fluid for prolonged periods WILL cause the PS pump go kaput.

Reason: The power steering fluid also acts as a lubricant.

[bottle]

Not sure if there is a difference between EPS and HPS steering.

The power steering hose in my Palio came off its clamp and dumped fluid. Car was driven about 20kms without any fluid at all to get home. Steering became horriby heavy and would make a noise at more than 2 steering locks. Got a mechanic to come home and fix the clamp and top up the fluid and its been fine since so far.

So was wondering if the motor cuts out when there is no fluid since there was no power assistance at all.

[mayankjha1806]

Originally Posted by sumannandy

The mechanic said there would not be any problem.

I would want to know if there would be any problem or if there is any way I could check for any problem. We are planning to leave for interior Chikmagalur, and do not want any drama there.

There would not be any problem if driven for short distance. I have driven myself without power steering fluid for ~50kms before we could buy the fluid and refill it again, and another 300Kms before i could show it to a service center for fixing it. This was 20,000 Kms before and since the last 20K Kms nothing has happened.

So show it to the A.S.S as soon as possible but 30/40 Kms you drove wouldn't do much harm so as keep yourself worried.

[Catalyst_delhi]

Not much damage if you did not do full lock turns. Please bleed the PS system when you are refilling. Also make sure that you release a bit of the new PS fluid as they may be some metal contaminants(effects of running without p.s fluid) Otherwise all should be good...

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

AFAIK, this is incorrect. In your case, you just got lucky. No offense, but this is not the correct way of maintaining a car.

Driving without power steering fluid for prolonged periods WILL cause the PS pump go kaput.

Reason: The power steering fluid also acts as a lubricant.

Of course, it ain't any way of maintaining a car. It took 2 months for me to get it fixed because I drove the car for about 40 kms in those 2 months and got a service appt. after a month.

Does the OP need to lose sleep over it? No. And I don't find myself recommending prolonged use anyway.

Just curious, what was your opinion on : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post2613929 ? Tow the car away, else you're a lousy car owner?

[suman]

If you aren't getting any further noises after topping up the fluid (and I presume you have got those screws tightened), it should be fine. I had driven about 15-20 kms on my Safari once, without realizing it & there were no issues subsequently.

The risk is that if the fluid is completely drained out, the next thing to go would be the PS pump. As you may have felt already, full left or right lock puts a lot of pressure on the Safari's PS pump even under normal circumstances.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Just curious, what was your opinion on : http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...ml#post2613929 ? Tow the car away, else you're a lousy car owner?

READ, and you will find my opinion over there.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

I drove the car for about 40 kms in those 2 months ....

.....And I don't find myself recommending prolonged use anyway.

Now, do you really think that the OP or anybody, would have guessed that 2-3 months translates into 40kms? Dude!!.. What can I say?..

------------------------------

Coming to the point.. Nishad.. When its right to calm somebody down, and lose their anxiousness, its very wrong to give the wrong impression. Especially when its coming from a senior tbhp'n and a regular poster. What if some new member sees it, and decides to run 2-3 months? It definitely would not be just 40kms in 2-3 months for him, unlike you.

[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

What if some new member sees it, and decides to run 2-3 months? It definitely would not be just 40kms in 2-3 months for him, unlike you.

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Getting it fixed will not cost much so get it done when possible.

I advised getting it fixed.

Let's move on please.

[mayankk]

just FYI, in case your PS pump goes.
My PS pump was shot, and a replacement has cost me, as of today, 11k.
a fiesta.
just saying.
If its preventable with a few hundred, or single-digit thousands, get it done.