Hi guys,

I know my car is old and you're all going to tell me to fear the worst and trust me, I am!

But I just wanted to run this by you..

My car was recently crashed into whilst parked and whilst I was at work and it has since been in the garage getting assessed and worked on/parts ordered etc.

Just after the crash but before the car was collected, I noticed the steering was making a creaking sound!

Since the car has been in the garage getting assessed etc, the mechanic has notified me that while the crash might have worsened the situation, he reckons there WAS (for god knows how long) been an "oil leak with the power steering" (I think he means a PS fluid leak!)...

I'm going to hope this gets fixed as part of the incident, because as I said, I had never heard it like this before, but if they insist this was a historical issue, what sort of bill am I looking at to get it fixed?

On a similar note, is it plausible that a car smashing into mine thrusting it full whack into another car, cause an issue/leak to my power steering?

Thanks,

Z

Anyone have any ideas so to what I'd expect to pay to get this power-steering leak fixed?

Lots of info here:
Power Steering Pump replacement - Forums (http://forum.minicooper.org/showthread.php?t=9626)

Your car being hit whilst stationary is very unlikely to cause any power steering fluuid leaks, unless it has been hit very heard and fractured the steering rack which together with damage to the rest of the car be quite obvious! The steering fluid can leak from a number of different places, and repair prices can vary, it could be just a leaky resovoir cap, or a split hose or it could be a faulty pump or rack. If it is making funny noises you need to get it looked at before any further more expensive damage is done!

Hi guys,

Just heard back from the garage who said that they did manage to quick-fix/address the PS leak.. Apparently it was caused by a loose cap that was allowing the fluid to escape.

They said that they topped up the PS fluid and tested and everything seemed ok.

I will ask if this might have any knock-on effects, but what do you guys think?

Z

Sounds ok........see how it goes and keep an eye on the fluid level over the next few days/weeks.

How do I keep an eye on PS fluid levels?? :$

Thanks for all your help thus far btw!

Just ask your friendly mechanic to show you where the PS fluid resevoir is and how to remove the cap and check the level of fluid once a week or so. It is very easy once you are shown how! :)