my power steering makes a loud whirling noise when turning the steering wheel and driving, got my mot soon so worried it will fail, steering works fine, the fluid reservoir has a small leak, the noise sounds like a noisy bearing

MOT doesn't test noises in the steering system.  As long as it makes the steering lighter and is smooth from lock to lock (not notchy) it'll pass.

BUT, leaking power steering fluid is a fail (major fault).

urgently check the fluid level - its likely the pump running dry - caught early enough they can get over things surprisingly well

- hers had a tide mark making it looked full but it was empty !!!

once you disturb the silly spring clips on two pipes to the reservoir you need to swap to real jubilee clips

 

the fluid is between the min and max mark, the noise sounds like it has a super charger fitted lol

when i checked the fluid level, there's a min mark, cold mark, then max, its sitting on the cold mark but doesn't move when the car is warm, i have also notice its wet on the pipe which attaches to the reservoir  , could this cause the noise

just checked the level this morning and its empty, the leak seems to be from the clip around the reservoir, i will get some fluid and hopefully the noise will stop unless the damage to the pump is done already, will i need to bleed the system, if so how, thanks

6 minutes ago, steplce74 said:

will i need to bleed the system, if so how, thanks

Yes, just steer lock to lock a few times with the engine running. 

2 hours ago, steplce74 said:

just checked the level this morning and its empty, the leak seems to be from the clip around the reservoir, i will get some fluid and hopefully the noise will stop unless the damage to the pump is done already, will i need to bleed the system, if so how, thanks

if its a mk2 check the high pressure pipe, it fractures around the stupid quick release coupling as it comes out of the pump - they make a later redesign that was less bad - keep going and you'll trash the pump

top the fluid up, noise stopped, thanks everyone, just need to get to the bottom of the leak before its mot

the two normal leaks are the ones I already mentioned

 

the high pressure pipe fractures due to vibration and fluid goes everywhere and the pump makes noises like hell inside 5 mins

or the two pipes at the bottom of the reservoir get disturbed and the original spring clips suddenly allow it to leak... (swap for normal worm drive "jubilee" clips...) the easiest way to notice is when doing an oil change - if the AC pump has green drips its normally fluid loss over time from the PAS reservoir

If you fit jubilee clips, be careful not to over-tighten them. I made that mistake on my Mk2. It caused the return hose connector on the steering fluid bottle to split at the angled joint in the plastic.

Luckily I had bought a spare bottle from the breakers before starting the job. I cleaned it out ready for use before starting so I had a spare clean replacement ready in case of problems.

What type of fluid did you use to top up your system? The Mk2 pumps used green fluid which was thinner than the older red fluid. The red fluid can apparently damage the pumps designed for the green.

I used Comma brand Central Hydraulic Fluid to refill my system. Halfords also sell this in the same bottles with their own branding on the labels.

 

I used CHF from Halfords

the comma variety gives sightly heavier steering than the correct ford stuff - if u read the pack it doesn't meet ford spec - still way better than morons putting red filth in there

The genuine Ford fluid apparently meets spec Ford WSS-M2C204-A2.

The Comma/Halfords one says suitable for Ford WSS-M2C204-A.

Does anyone on here know what the difference between the two spec ratings is?

it never listed ford at all in the past... I see this was updated in 02-03-2021 and lists a 5 year shelf life !!!

https://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/file/24ba2bf5f540a7db99330c98c490bf5e

ford seems to call it AB now ?

https://www.msds.ford.com/cpc/productDetails.asp?

the idiots left PAS off this list of common stuff I found

 

Motor Oils

Ford WSS-M2C913-A

Engine oil, Initial and service fill, SAE 5W-30. This specification meets the ILSAC GF-2 and ACEA A1-98 and B1-98 and additional Ford requirements.

Ford WSS-M2C913-B

The Ford M2C913-B specification is released in Europe for initial fill engine oils used for lubrication of spark ignition engines using gasoline and for compression ignition engines using diesel fuels. The specification is also used to define engine oils for servicing Ford engines where applicable. The oil shall meet all the requirements of the ILSAC GF-2 and GF-3 specification, the ACEA A1-98 and B1-98 specification and additional Ford requirements.

Ford WSS-M2C913-C

Fully backwards compatible and is strongly recommended for all applications that currently require the specification Ford M2C913-B. The new engine oil provides various benefits to the customer such as improved fuel economy benefits and high robustness to biodiesel fuels.

Ford WSS-M2C913-D

Introduced in 2012, oils meeting this specification are recommended for all Ford diesel engines except Ford Ka TDCi models manufactured before 2009 and Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi models manufactured between 2000 and 2006. A product meeting this specification is especially recommended for diesel engines where M2C913-B or M2C913-C oils were initially required. An oil meeting this specification must be used in Ford Transit vehicles manufactured from 2012 onward with Duratorq 2.2 engine. Oils meeting this specification can be used with extended oil change intervals and are also suitable to be used in engines running on biodiesel or high sulfur diesel.

Ford WSS-M2C917-A

Viscosity SAE 5W40 engine oil for pump injector diesel engines.

Ford WSS-M2C934-A

Extended drain engine oil for vehicles equipped with diesel particulate filter (DPF).

Ford WSS-M2C937-A

Special engine oil for Ford Focus RS. Viscosity should be SAE 0W-40.

Ford WSS-M2C948-B

Largely based on the ACEA C2 oil sequence this spec requires a low SAPS 5W20 oil and is primarily designed for the 1.0 liter, 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine. Contains in-house tests for fuel economy and piston deposit control. Oils meeting this spec must provide a 0.9% fuel economy improvement over regular 5W-20 oils.

Ford WSS-M2C950-A

Special engine oil for Ford Focus Diesel 2.0 manufatured from September 2014 and Ford Mondeo Diesel 2.0 manufactured from 2015. Viscosity should be SAE 0W-30.

Manual Transmission Fluids

Ford 8U7J-19G518-BA

Special gear oil for Ford Kuga's transferbox.

Ford 8U7J-8708687-AA

Special gear oil for Haldex clutches.

Ford M2C104-A

SAE 90 mechanical gear oil with EP additive and friction modifier.

Ford M2C175-A

API GL-4 grade, SAE 80W90 gear oil for Ford Type N transmissions made before 1990.

Ford M2C186-A

Friction modified transmission oil for Ford MT75 transmissions.

Ford M2C192-A

SAE 75W140 grade hypoid gear oil for regular and limited slip rear differentials.

Ford M2C192-A + M2C118-A

Synthetic hypoid gear oil with friction modifier.

Ford M2C197-A

Hypoid differential oil with EP properties.

Ford M2C197-A + M2C118-A

Special formula Trac-Lok for rear axles.

Ford M2C200-B

Synthetic, SAE 75W90 grade, API GL-4 or GL-5 level hypoid gear oil with extreme pressure (EP) properties.

Ford M2C200-C

Polyalphaolefine (PAO) based, synthetic gear oils.

Ford M2C200-D

Polyalphaolefine (PAO) based, synthetic gear oil with viscosity modifier and extreme pressure (EP) additive.

Ford M2C201-A

Thermally stable hypoid gear oil for front differentials. Meets MIL-L-2105D and API GL-5

Ford M2C918-A

SAE 75W90 grade synthetic gear oil for rear differentials.

Ford M2C936-A

Special gear oil for certain dual clutch transmissions.

Ford M2C94-A

SAE 80W90 or 80W grade multifunction hypoid gear oil. Meets API GL-5 and MIL-L-2105C.

Ford N052145 VX00

VW G 052 145 equivalent Ford specification. Fully synthetic, meets API GL-4 and SAE 75W90.

Automatic Transmission Fluids

Ford Mercon

Automatic transmission fluid specification for use in Ford automatic transmissions.

Forc Mercon V

Ford Mercon V specification. An automatic transmission fluid with improved protection against rust, corrosion, deposits and wear. It improves low-temperature shifting and guards against transmission shudder. Mercon V is fully backwards compatible with Mercon.