Can I drive it?

[stuartmmcfc]

Hi, my Cougar’s power steering is leaking.
I’m not able to do it so I’m taking it to the garage who works it for me.
Now, it’s about 15 miles across country.
Would you drive it there?

[s m]

The only thing I would say is that power steering fluid can be very flammable
No idea where yours is leaking from though of how bad it is

[Skyedriver]

How bad is the leak? A few drops or pouring out.
Fill the reservoir and drive it, if it's pouring out, be prepared for some arm muscle building towards the end of the journey. If it's a drip don't worry.

[stuartmmcfc]

It’s seems to be a biggish drip, not gushing, yet!

[Digby]

Should be fine. Have driven many cars dripping fluid.

Just try not to run out or you may also end up with a noisy pump.

[Astacus]

and pics of the cougar

[SFTWend]

I'd steer well clear of a cougar that was dripping, especially if you are a young man!

[Turbobanana]

SFTWend said:

I'd steer well clear of a cougar that was dripping, especially if you are a young man!

[Sparky137]

If you take the belt off the power steering pump the system won't be under pressure so probably won't leak. I did this on a Granada I had when the pump got very noisy whilst I was driving it. Steering will be very heavy but once moving it shouldn't be too bad.

[breamster]

I've know idea about the mechanical implications but I did something similar many years ago. Without any power steering it will be very hard work. I made sure I did my drive at a stupidly early time so I encountered no traffic.

[wag2]

Does power steering fluid attack paint the way brake fluid does?

[stuartmmcfc]

Sparky137 said:

If you take the belt off the power steering pump the system won't be under pressure so probably won't leak. I did this on a Granada I had when the pump got very noisy whilst I was driving it. Steering will be very heavy but once moving it shouldn't be too bad.

This is what I’d do BUT the Wife will be driving it and ...

[Digby]

stuartmmcfc said:

Sparky137 said:

If you take the belt off the power steering pump the system won't be under pressure so probably won't leak. I did this on a Granada I had when the pump got very noisy whilst I was driving it. Steering will be very heavy but once moving it shouldn't be too bad.

This is what I’d do BUT the Wife will be driving it and ...

Always make sure the same belt isn't running anything else before doing this!

[AMGSee55]

s m said:

The only thing I would say is that power steering fluid can be very flammable
No idea where yours is leaking from though of how bad it is

This.....many moons ago I owned a Vauxhall Carlton which caught fire in the middle of Hyde Park. The cause was a power steering hose which split and emptied its contents over the exhaust manifold - it had been chafing (unsighted) on the back of the cylinder head. By the time the brigade arrived the engine bay was well and truly ablaze - quite scary at the time!

Personally I would take the belt off and exercise your arm muscles.

[uk66fastback]

My dad towed me with a simple tow rope in my Stag from Peterborough to Melton Mowbray (35 miles) about 30 years ago - my old Stag with a knackered engine. So the whole towing trip was done without any power steering or brakes. Not something I'd want to do again!

Would I even think about doing it now - not a chance! I on't even know if it's legal ... (probably not)

[mph]

I'm sure not every car has the same degree of power assistance, but ... I had a power steering belt snap on me several years ago and the car was unbelievably heavy to steer, even on the move.

There's no way I would have voluntarily driven that car with the power steering disconnected.

[HustleRussell]

Digby said:

Have driven many cars dripping fluid.

Waterproof seat covers