Focus Leaking Power Steering

[Incontro]

So my car went in for its MOT recently, and apart from the tyres being a little worn, there was only one advisory that caught my eye:

001 Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) has slight seepage from a joint. [2.3.3b]

Am I right in assuming that I probably shouldn't be driving it around too much, until I get it fixed? Costs? Any other advice?

Thanks.

[Ffoxy]

It's an advisory, as such it's OK to drive, but needs fixing before the next MoT. Personally I'd be fixing it this weekend... Or arranging for it to be looked at, quoted on and arranged to be done if you're not totally confident. Meanwhile have a quick check of the power steering fluid...

[Incontro]

It's an advisory, as such it's OK to drive, but needs fixing before the next MoT. Personally I'd be fixing it this weekend... Or arranging for it to be looked at, quoted on and arranged to be done if you're not totally confident. Meanwhile have a quick check of the power steering fluid...

Just checked the fluid now, and it is a bit above max level. I also found a bit of oily liquid (not sure exactly what), situated close to below the power steering reservoir, not sure exactly what it is, its quite obscured from all the other stuff in the way.

My worry is that the leak could get worse potentially, and eventually, I might start losing fluid without noticing it.

I am guessing that the current severity is that only when you do a lot of dry steering, the odd drip leaks out.

My wallet is getting lighter by the minute.

[wase16ll]

i think the following only affects 1.6 focus and not sure when the design was changed...but just in case

am in the middle of repairing an 07 1.6 focus that dumped all its PAS oil, not the nicest job to do

but its a known fault with the pressure pipe seal on the pump...ford are aware of it and redesigned the pipework and connector, plus have to change the stretch belts as they got coated in oil too.

point is, it may pay to get that leak checked if it appears to be coming from anywhere around the pump, because if its leaking around the high pressure joint, it will blow sooner or later

[Incontro]

i think the following only affects 1.6 focus and not sure when the design was changed...but just in case

am in the middle of repairing an 07 1.6 focus that dumped all its PAS oil, not the nicest job to do

but its a known fault with the pressure pipe seal on the pump...ford are aware of it and redesigned the pipework and connector, plus have to change the stretch belts as they got coated in oil too.

point is, it may pay to get that leak checked if it appears to be coming from anywhere around the pump, because if its leaking around the high pressure joint, it will blow sooner or later

Thanks for your reply mate.

Yes, the car is a 1.6 petrol auto for the record, manufactured in 11/09. Thanks for the heads up - though the trouble is I am sod-all mechanically minded when it comes to these things, (only know about electronics). So its probably best if I get it looked at one way or the other. Therefore I don't really know where the pump is located - I have a feeling it may be impossible to see really, without getting underneath somehow, or removing components?

Another important thing I'll mention is that the steering seems to feel a bit heavier - I got the wheels aligned recently, it drives more straight now, but as I said the steering definitely feels somewhat heavier. Is this possible if I still have all the fluid?

[wase16ll]

re the leak...the pump is low down under the alternator, the leak develops on the seal where the high pressure pipe connects to the pump..it starts off as a drip, till one day it pops and you lose the fluid rapidly...this could then render the pump u/s as they dont like running dry (though this is the 2nd focus ive had do this and both pumps survived the ordeal)

if you look at the back of the engine bay, you will see the steering rack, look for 2 pipes connected to the rack close to where the steering column joins the rack..if you follow those pipes they run along the o/s inner wing, high pressure pipe connects to pump, low pressure connects to resevoir

if there is any sign of a leak around that high pressure to pump connector, then think of getting it sorted, it may well save you the expense of a pump

the modified kit is Ford part only, consists of 2 replacement pipes and a connector/seal...if you have a cooler fitted, the modified kit by-passes it...total parts cost from ford, approx £100, plus a litre of correct PAS oil..if you end up with needing a pump, you can buy recon from most decent suppliers at approx £80, Ford ones are over twice that.

not the nicest job to do either

easiest to spot that connector from under the car, if you have A/C its right above the compressor..but might be easier to ask mot garage if they remember the area the leak appeared...

[Incontro]

Thanks for the very detailed reply Tony, but sadly as I said I'm not too technical with this sort of stuff, so I can only understand so much of it.

Thanks for posting the prices - it will be helpful. I hope I won't be "taken for a ride" so to speak.

[wase16ll]

it may not be your problem, but worth checking

[Incontro]

it may not be your problem, but worth checking

So I have been doing some research into this, and I think I understand most of it now, but of course you need experience to actually fix it, and the car would probably need to be jacked up and/or the alternator removed for easier access, both of which I can't do & seems difficult, so off to the dealers/garage it is I'm afraid. Based upon previous posts on the forum and your advice, costs will probably be around £200-£250 Im blindly guessing. But it is useful to learn about this stuff, always willing to learn more.

Thanks again.

[WayneL15]

Hi bumping this old thread as I think I am having the same problem, i have a high pitch whirring noise coming from the drivers side of the car where the belts are, first I thought it was the alternator but after reading abit more I think the noise might be from the belt being covered in oil, the noise started of just being occasionally but now it is all the time, it increases with the revs and also when I turn the steering wheel.

Took a couple of pics of the pipe above and as you can see the lower pipe under the alternator is cover in oil suggesting a slow leak,I think my fluid is also lower than it used to be but it is still at the "cold" mark in the reservoir. Surprise surprise my focus is a 1.6 also.

I have attached a couple of pictures of the pipe, best I could get, would someone be able to confirm this is the problem. Cheers

[Iain Greig]

I have recently had my cambelt changed,a short while after I've developed a power steering fluid leak,I went back to the garage he knew straight away why it was making a noise,he cleaned the area and topped up the fluid and said keep an eye on it. Four days later it just went while I was parking and lost a lot of fluid, could the leak have been caused while the cambelt was being changed, it is an 07 1.6 titanium focus.

[robert.b]

Hello! I have a ford focus 1.6 ti 85 kw and my steering pump or hose has a leak..does someone know a good mechanic and a price in Wembley London or near to get it fixed? thank you!

Edited October 28, 2021 by robert.b