power steering pump leak !!!!!

[SOULCREW]

here goes.....car went in for service last week and had a new alternator fitted at the same time.

start the car up today, for the first time since i drove it back from dealers, and a screeching sound is coming from the engine.so i pop the hood and its obviously coming from the alternator/power steering side of the engine.

so i turn off the engine and have a look....there was loads of fluid that seems to have leaked out of the top p/s pump pipe joint thing.

also the p/s fluid was down well past the min mark[it was level with the top outlet pipe that goes into the pump].

so is this a random failure or a dealer fk up ?

i dont know what to do now...should i top up with some atf fluid and get it to the dealers or get it recovered

[Aitch 'H']

In my opinion it was a dealer fup as the alternator is directly underneath the power steering pump and all the ancillaries run off one serpentine belt so the dealer would have had to loosen the belt, and more than likely move the power steering pump to get the alternator off, and obviously to move the power steering pump they'd have to take off the pipes. How ever you get it back to them, I'd just drive it but low loading it may make a bigger impression, it's go to be down to them to fix it

[SOULCREW]

Aitch 'H' said:

In my opinion it was a dealer fup as the alternator is directly underneath the power steering pump and all the ancillaries run off one serpentine belt so the dealer would have had to loosen the belt, and more than likely move the power steering pump to get the alternator off, and obviously to move the power steering pump they'd have to take off the pipes. How ever you get it back to them, I'd just drive it but low loading it may make a bigger impression, it's go to be down to them to fix it

yep thats what i think as well.

just hoping the power steering pump isnt damaged from running dry

[SOULCREW]

update....the stealers are sending a recovery truck to take my car away.

whats the odds they will say it wasnt their fault the power steering fluid has all leaked out

[monkfish1]

You wouldn't normally disturb the PAS system to change the alternator, BUT, The pipe that runs very near tend to corrode at the crimp and fail. So it would be very easy to "weaken" it whilst getting the alternator out and in. May not be that clear cut.

[SOULCREW]

the leak appears to be coming from where the top pipe enters the pump,next to the drivebelt wheel.

wasnt leaking before it went in...so its possible they removed the pipe to get to the alternator easier.

heres a pic..you can see where the fluid has been flying off the drive belt....and that copper looking washer seems a bit bent ??!!

[SOULCREW]

update.....just had a call from the stealers.....a washer is missing from the pump connection !!!!!! new washer will be in tomorrow maorning.

i might get to drive it this summer