Hi, struggling here. Ok, we have a 56 plate Focus and it has started making a whirring sound the last few days.

I checked the oil, and topped it up as was low. Started the engine up and the sound is there still. Googled and came back with power steering fluid issues, barings or alternator fault....or even oil pump.

Booked in for service this month the 27th, but fears moving it as worried more damage is caused?

Any ideas of what it could be?

Thanking you in advance.

Hi,

Without any investigation/inspection we could spend all day suggesting parts that it could be.

If you can get hold of a stethoscope (automotive type) then you could prod about each component to try and determine the location. Even removing the drive belt and spinning each pulley, idler etc to see if any of then feel any different to the rest, any roughness/notchy feeling.

I can only echo what stef has said.

A stethoscope is a really handy tool to have in your tool box.

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I am gonna check the power steering myself after work. Haven't a stethoscope, or access to one. Got a doctors one.

I have heard of people using a long screwdriver and placing it on the suspect part and put your ear to the handle and it's similar to the stethoscope. Don't no how true this is. Maybe stef can confirm or deny.

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I have heard of people using a long screwdriver and placing it on the suspect part and put your ear to the handle and it's similar to the stethoscope. Don't no how true this is. Maybe stef can confirm or deny.

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Your absolutely right, it does indeed work. It's not as good certainly but worth a go. A stethoscope would be easier to get down into the hard to reach bits as you don't need to try get your head right in close either.

I normally use a screwdriver to check injectors are working - you can hear them clicking very clearly.

To be honest at the time I thought someone was trying to pull my plonker. Lol.

Wasn't going to try it infront of them and look like a !Removed!. Lol

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Not totally sold on the screwdriver idea.....worried of the crazy looks I'll get.

To be honest at the time I thought someone was trying to pull my plonker. Lol.

Wasn't going to try it infront of them and look like a !Removed!. Lol

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It does look a bit suspicious and strange putting your ear to a screwdriver under the bonnet in any case lol.

Lol. I may try it one day. As long as no one can see me. Lol

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if i was doing that and somebody looked at me weird, id end up saying something completely random just to make me look that lil bit more strange, like my mechanical fairy is playing hide and seek again...........

Think I sussed it, it looks like the power steering fluid has been leaking, on min. and you can tell fluid has leaked. So, could be the pump?

Is the leaking fluid from the pump itself? A failing pump could explain the noise and the loss of fluid right enough

Is the leaking fluid from the pump itself? A failing pump could explain the noise and the loss of fluid right enough

I need to clean the area and then top up and check the area.

What engine have you got? It's not a 1.6 petrol is it?

Yup, 1.6 petrol.

The 1.6 petrol mk2 are prone to a power steering failure. The pump and high pressure hose are usually replaced. It sounds to me like you might have just caught yours before it burst and coats the place in red oil

The 1.6 petrol mk2 are prone to a power steering failure. The pump and high pressure hose are usually replaced. It sounds to me like you might have just caught yours before it burst and coats the place in red oil

I read a lot about this the last few days, nightmare isn't it! Been told a new pipe would cost approx. £30ish - is this true? Can this be done without a mechanic? Or garage, with someone with knowledge of engines?

What about this stuff like this -

Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak

Does it work? Is it just a short term solution?

I read a lot about this the last few days, nightmare isn't it! Been told a new pipe would cost approx. £30ish - is this true? Can this be done without a mechanic? Or garage, with someone with knowledge of engines?

I would expect the pipe to be around that price mark anyway.

You could replace the pipe easily yourself if your confident enough with a set of spanners.

Personally I wouldn't bother with any of these additives, I would go for a permanent fix as soon as possible.

I'm not entirely sure what part actually fails but I know the pump and the pipe are usually both replaced together. Presumably it's a threaded part or something that fails?

Thank you so much. Didn't need to break out the screw driver to listen to the engine.

;)

If you do ever use the screwdriver trick make sure you use the handle end to your ear.

How not to do it :d

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Lol. Could you imagine trying to explain that down a&e. Lol

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Think about this scenario-

You're just putting your head to the screwdriver and your plonker mate sounds the horn :p

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