Hiya got a focus 1.6 zetec 2007. 

Saw Mechanic due to noise coming near belt but turned out to be leaking power steering fluid reservoir and its common issue...to repair it and the pump that feeds it as its leaking fast..and labour its just not economical sadly on 90k old focus... Other than topping up steering fluid and using it sparingly which im doing any tips for getting the fluid to leak a bit less...just to buy few weeks while i go car shopping? Do those anti leak things in halford actually do anything

Any tips as stop gap do those anti leak solutions help? Or too far gone??

Sad my second focus now...looks like its a gonna

Hi,

Stop leak additive will work on a small leak.  But it sounds like yours might be too far gone from the description.  I would also be concerned about the amount of hydraulic oil ending up on the road for any bikers etc.

Ok thanks fair point... No way i can stem flow as short fix then? Short of spending grand on car thats barely even worth that....

1 minute ago, mjj said:

Ok thanks fair point... No way i can stem flow as short fix then? Short of spending grand on car thats barely even worth that....

A grand?  Is that for a solid gold pump?

Unfortunately without being able to see the exact point of leakage on your car I don't know whether there are any short term fixes.  If you can post a clear picture of it then we might be able to suggest something.

From a quick look on ebay I can see pump, high pressure pipes and single use nut available for under £100.

Power Steering Pump + High Pressure Pipes + One Use Nut for Ford Focus 2004-2011 | eBay UK

 

Reservoir for a tenner.

1420238 Power Steering Oil Expansion Tank Bottle For Ford C-Max,Focus II 04-12 | eBay UK

I will try... Ok so mechanic who has been solid for years said fluid reservoir needed changing and the water pump etc and labour time be nearly 900 ...he said what he need replace just wouldn't make sense... But il try get pic for you somehow. Thanks. 

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

From a quick look on ebay I can see pump, high pressure pipes and single use nut available for under £100.

Power Steering Pump + High Pressure Pipes + One Use Nut for Ford Focus 2004-2011 | eBay UK

 

Reservoir for a tenner.

1420238 Power Steering Oil Expansion Tank Bottle For Ford C-Max,Focus II 04-12 | eBay UK

Ok thanks ...but i cant fit all that stuff... Not sure ? U think should get second opinion for a fix?

1 minute ago, mjj said:

U think should get second opinion for a fix?

Yes.  Should be around £100 in parts and maybe £250 in labour from the info we have so far.

Really ok. Im gona double check with him on diagnosis...  Heres a few pics of it

I can't see anything directly leaking on those pictures.  If all it needs is the reservoir then that's £10 and 10 minutes work.

Assuming it was left running low then the pump will need replacing as well, and on this engine the pipes also need to be replaced with the pump.  

Personally I wouldn't go straight back to that mechanic but ask a completely different one for a rough price and parts list first.

Ok il try new mechanic for a fix price...

It ran low as reason i took it in for check was the awful noise it makes when low i thought it was timing belt! But he said steering fluid ...when i top up it goes with few days so certainly a leak, saw drops underneath just camt see where...thanks i cant get pic from underneath

Local garages shut early today! So will need to go monday for 2nd opinion. Tried to snap to show where its leaking and underneath you can see fluid dripping..  Think maybe my garage said needs another thing too which might explain high quote as result this leak but cant recall what else he said. .....personally id love to salvage if i can repair as its just coming up to 80k and got bit more life in it i think...

Have the garages put their clocks back a day early lol?

I do appreciate you taking the time for those pictures but we still can't really see anything there.  It's all just plastic covers underneath.

As there's a thick misting over the alternator, they might have suggested replacing that and the waterpump and the belts as well.  By that point you might as well have the timing belt changed as well.  But then where do you stop...?

As there's clearly a leak right at the top, that probably is just the reservoir.  (£10 part linked earlier).  But without knowing how much other damage might have been caused it's difficult to quote any further.

If it was mine I'd only change the reservoir, pump, pipes and aux belt.  Would leave the waterpump.  And would degrease and rinse the alternator, hoping that hasn't been damaged yet.  So that would still come in around £350-£450 with garage labour.

That's the best I can offer with the info and pictures provided.

Thanks fir this

It appears to be leaking red fluid so has been topped up with the wrong type. The correct fluid should be green. 

I replaced the reservoir on mine not long after I bought the car. One of the moulded plastic pipe connections had cracked at a moulding seam and was dripping. 

I also cut the hose that joined onto the reservoir down and joined a new section of rubber hose onto it. The original hose had started to split at the end where it pushed onto the connection. 

 

2 hours ago, AntonovAN12 said:

It appears to be leaking red fluid so has been topped up with the wrong type. The correct fluid should be green. 

I replaced the reservoir on mine not long after I bought the car. One of the moulded plastic pipe connections had cracked at a moulding seam and was dripping. 

I also cut the hose that joined onto the reservoir down and joined a new section of rubber hose onto it. The original hose had started to split at the end where it pushed onto the connection. 

 

Thanks ..its dextrose ll think fluids always been red on this one, mechanic said same. Gona get 2nd opinion On scale of what needs repairing...hoping its affordable as i cant do it

Cant see another mechanic til next week but original guy did send me breakdown of what he says need doing..and labour... Didnt realise he also recommended timing belt change which bumps cost and labour a lot.. all steering fluid parts and labour alone 400+. For pas pump, pipe union, fluid reservoir, steering oil and labour.

I will still go and get second opinion before i scrap it and go car hunting...

Would timing belt need doing as fluids leaked on it?

Ta

1 hour ago, mjj said:

Cant see another mechanic til next week but original guy did send me breakdown of what he says need doing..and labour... Didnt realise he also recommended timing belt change which bumps cost and labour a lot.. all steering fluid parts and labour alone 400+. For pas pump, pipe union, fluid reservoir, steering oil and labour.

I will still go and get second opinion before i scrap it and go car hunting...

Would timing belt need doing as fluids leaked on it?

Ta

Good to see i was in the right ballpark for the steering parts.

The timing belt is behind the plastic cover.  We cannot see whether that has been contaminated with PAS fluid until the cover is removed.

If it has been contaminated then it should be replaced, but personally I would trust the cover to have kept it clean.

Worth noting it probably is overdue by now anyway.  Recommended every 8 years or 100k (whichever comes first).  But on an older car of low value, it's not unusual to leave them until they fail then just scrap the car.

Ta. Timing belt was done at 45k when i bought it... 

Im hoping belts ok, and second opinion guy can do repair a bit cheaper...who knows...

Might end up having to scrap...thanks

this is a std breakdown for the early cars - should have been a safety recall - the PAS high pressure pipe fractures - not falling off but spraying fluid uphill - just at the JOKE quick release coupling on to the pump

instead ford agreed to sell on the cheap a replacement pipe set - the later design get a stupid bracket right in the way - to stop the high pressure pipe wobbling and fracturing 

dealers used to carry them in-stock

half the halfwits on this forum still think they took red - the handbook was ALWAYS correct - but the odd factory used up old stock filling with the wrong red stuff - alfa did the same 

So red stuff causes more damage is that what you mean? 

Either way car looking likes its a gonner then..oh well

the red stuff overheats and falls to bits increasing wear on the pump

the green stuff is more durable - and stays green and clean - not grey with metal filings or black after 15 years like the red junk - the ford stuff is much better than the comma junk that's readily available 

Ok update...second opinion with local repair guy, good reviews online.. he got me to start up engine and lock wheel as he was under bonnet with torch could clearly see fluid squirting out pipes when turning its there that leak is coming out, think can repair with ford pipes/connector kit... Few hrs labour said reservoir not leaking ...pump might be ok... 

Im going to give it a go. Worth a shot...will update

Quick update few hours labour new pipes n bolt and power steering fixed at much more reasonable 300+ bill.

Driving good!! No leaks.  Fingers crossed