Does driving without power steering fluid damage the engine?

dory

Brought my car to get serviced on Saturday. Got alignment done and new brakes as well. Since then the car has been very hard to steer, almost caused me to crash once. Today weird noises started so brought it back to mechanics - the power steering fluid had been knocked over. It was out of it's spot in the engine and basically empty.

Should I be worried? The guy swore it was fine, no damage. He sprayed some stuff on it and refilled the fluid. Have some more work that needs doing but obviously won't be going back there. Is my car in trouble??

iamtony

Its not connected to the engine in anyway but if the power steering pump ran dry, which you would of noticed due to the squeeling notice it may of damaged the pump and reduced it's life.

biko

As said, it won't affect engine but if PS pump runs dry it may damage the pump.
Keep an eye on it and listen for any noises, particularly on full lock.

dory

Thanks for the replies. There are weird noises when i turn the wheel, especially when engine is cold. I know I need a new caliper , they put in new brakes and said the caliper was seized so until I get a new one there would be a screeching sound. But I really dont think the wheel turning noises are connected to that.

I dont really know what to do. I have no proof or anything, they could just say it wasnt their problem, its an 8 year old car. I drove for two days on it so the pump must have run dry. Anyone have any idea what a new pump would cost?

Special Circumstances

dory wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. There are weird noises when i turn the wheel, especially when engine is cold. I know I need a new caliper , they put in new brakes and said the caliper was seized so until I get a new one there would be a screeching sound. But I really dont think the wheel turning noises are connected to that.

I dont really know what to do. I have no proof or anything, they could just say it wasnt their problem, its an 8 year old car. I drove for two days on it so the pump must have run dry. Anyone have any idea what a new pump would cost?

Get a new mechanic.

If the system ran dry it may need to be "bled" after being topped up. Find a surface that will allow you to turn lock to lock without putting too much strain on the pump etc. Some people suggest putting two glossy magazines under each wheel. Turn lock to lock say 20 times. Stop if there are any really horrible noises. Check level of fluid afterward, as air is worked out then the level may drop depending on how much air was in the system.

The only time I had to do this I had the front raised so I was able to turn away without magazines etc.

jimmyw

dory wrote: »

-the power steering fluid had been knocked over. It was out of it's spot in the engine and basically empty.

I dont know how this could happen?

iamtony wrote: »

Its not connected to the engine in anyway but if the power steering pump ran dry, which you would of noticed due to the squeeling notice it may of damaged the pump and reduced it's life.

biko wrote: »

As said, it won't affect engine but if PS pump runs dry it may damage the pump.
Keep an eye on it and listen for any noises, particularly on full lock.

Yeah thats the danger

mickdw

You need to do lock to lock many times on the spot to get any air out of the system. As you won't be moving, there will be no noise from the brake caliper to confuse with steering noise. All should sound good after a minute or 2 doing lock to lock.
I wouldnt mind abit of steering pump noise if held on full lock

dory

jimmyw wrote: »

I dont know how this could happen?





Yeah thats the danger

It happened because they took out the container of Power Steering fluid while changing a bulb and forgot to put it back. Then I drove for two days with a stiff steering wheel thinking it was just stiff after a wheel alignment.
Then, realised the fluid container was loose in the engine hitting against a belt. Now car sounds a little deeper than usual.

They replaced the fluid container for me but now I'm afraid the pump might be damaged. I've done the lock thing a few times and there is a sound there sometimes. Sounds like sand running through something or like water flowing.
Rang a guy to get an estimate for a steering fluid pump. Haven't heard back yet but they sound expensive to replace.

Also, it's a Kia Rio. Very expensive to get parts for it would see. A wing mirror just set me back 268.

dory

mickdw wrote: »

You need to do lock to lock many times on the spot to get any air out of the system. As you won't be moving, there will be no noise from the brake caliper to confuse with steering noise. All should sound good after a minute or 2 doing lock to lock.
I wouldnt mind abit of steering pump noise if held on full lock

What do you mean held? Like, was ok and no noise?

Thanks everyone for your advice.

listermint

I once drove a car for years with no power steering fluid in it it was perfectly fine.





























it had no power steering either though

jimmyw

dory wrote: »

It happened because they took out the container .

Ah, thanks I was wondering because it doesn't normally happen on its own.

So the garage is actually responsible for the pump fail,and they should change the pump for free?

jimmyw

dory wrote: »

What do you mean held? Like, was ok and no noise?

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I think the poster means if you hold the steering wheel on full lock either side.

dory

jimmyw wrote: »

Ah, thanks I was wondering because it doesn't normally happen on its own.

So the garage is actually responsible for the pump fail,and they should change the pump for free?

This is where the problem is. I think pump is damaged from the sounds. He has looked in the hood, listened to it and thinks it's fine. I can also hear the belt ticking over when driving slowly which I couldn't a week ago. fluid bottle was pressed against the belt while it was out of it's spot. Just asked there and a new pump is €540!

iamtony

dory wrote: »

This is where the problem is. I think pump is damaged from the sounds. He has looked in the hood, listened to it and thinks it's fine. I can also hear the belt ticking over when driving slowly which I couldn't a week ago. fluid bottle was pressed against the belt while it was out of it's spot. Just asked there and a new pump is €540!

I think your best bet is to see another Mechanic and ask his opinion to see does he think there is a problem with the pump and if there is ask him for a letter or something to say there is a problem.

jimmyw

iamtony wrote: »

I think your best bet is to see another Mechanic and ask his opinion to see does he think there is a problem with the pump and if there is ask him for a letter or something to say there is a problem.

I think that's the best way. Of course the other garage are not going to admit to fecking it up.

Greyfoot

In case the pump is gone try to get a second hand one, its very widely used, I think many Kia/Hyundai models share the same one, Atos, Picanto etc. Can`t see why to remove the reservoir though as the bulbs can be changed on the driver`s side easily enough.