Xantia - power steering's gone

[Jaf]

Just got home when steering was suddenly heavy, bad enough I wondered if the auxiliary belt had gone. It hasn't. Did some citroaerobics, goes up/ down fine. Steering no better.

Plan is to check for leaks, check replacement pipe from pump to tank (replaced it a couple of years ago due to internal collapse). LHM and filters are fine. Then I guess its replacement pump time.

Very, very happy it happened as I got home!! Just got back from town where I'd booked an air con regas for this afternoon, that won't be happening. Had windows open at garage and a tabby cat got in!

[Jaf]

Checked the rubber pipe from tank to pump. It's actually only 1 year old, all fine.. Took the engine cover off, had a good look. Tried a bit more citroaerobics and it's much, much worse. Really struggling to raise.

Realised last week when I took a rear wheel off she wouldn't raise off the jack stand, I had use a jack. Once off the stand she behaved fine.

Pump??

[Jaf]

Second hand pump is 30€. Can't find any reconditioned ones for less than 290€!!

[xantia_v6]

The two halves of the pump are more or less independent, so it seems strange that they both stopped pumping. I have never heard of that.

[CitroJim]

May be a loose pulley on the pump shaft? Rare but not unknown.

As the steering takes much more effort fromvtne pump, such a happening works show worse on that side.

[Jaf]

Wasn't able to look at her until today. Double checked the rubber pipe, looked fine, completely dry. Primed the pipe with a small squeezy bottle....pin hole leak appeared near the pump! Cut 3 inch of the pipe, primed again. All fine.

(When checking the pipe before I primed it with a small funnel, this time I used a small water bottle which fit into the pipe perfectly.)

Thanks for your knowledge both of you. Invaluable.

[CitroJim]

Excellent Jaf!