Power Steering Fluid - Which one?

[Sonny]

Hi folks,

Before going on holiday my dad told me to top up (for the first time as it hasn't been done before) the A2's (2003 1.4 diesel) power steering fluid. (He said the light's coming on and it needs topping up for the first time in ages)

I went to halfords and they have 4 own brand bottles and each has a different code. Apparently the code for out A2 is in the a2's handbook. I don't know where it is and was hoping someone here would know.

This is what they look like:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_17 0932_langId_-1_categoryId_77318


They have 3-4 like this with different codes. The above one (as you can see from the link) is:
GM-6417M

Anyone know the code for the A2?

I rang Audi slough (which is far and a pain to get too) and they told me to bring the car in. They have a 'green labelled' bottle which is the correct one and is £6.99. I didnt want to drive there as it's a pain

Do I have a easier alternative?
would you know where roughly i've got to por this into?
complete noob here.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

sonny

[spike]

Hi sonny
Remove the bonnet and its just possible to see the power steering reservoir which is located directly under the passenger side headlamp. I have never tried but you probably need to remove the headlamp to gain access for topping up. I don't think there is a level sensor in the reservoir and the warning light normally indicates electrical problems with the power steering system but its still worth checking the level. If you do need to top up the system then I would recommend you buy the genuine Audi oil. (Sorry, I could not find any reference to a compatible oil spec)

Cheers Spike

[Sonny]

thanks a lot spike, greatly appreciated as always.

hmmm maybe i better take it to audi.. i have to anyway (like you said to get the oil)

if it does simply require a top up..they wouldn't lie and say it requires something else and charge me loads right (for topping up)?

I will have a look myself...but i know the headlamp can be a pain in the neck.

I wonder how much audi charge..maybe i will have to give them a call and book it in..

hopefully they can tell me how much it (incase it is not simply a top-up) costs before going ahead with it..

That way i can decide

[richard-]

The tank is a green bottle and I think it hasa screw top on... it quite easy to get to but not sure how you would check the level.

[spike]

Hi richard-
There are moulded max and min level lines on the bottle, about a inch down from the top (from memory)
Its unusual for the bottle to need topping up so if it does then its likely there is an external leak in the system or the steering rack seals are damaged

Cheers Spike

[Sonny]

thanks guys.

I will call audi slough and book the car in..

I don't know how it works but once I get through on the phone (been trying for the last hour) , i will ask them. For e.g. will i wait and they check out what the problem is and then let me know what needs to be done or do I have to leave it there overnight , in which case i will have to tell a friend to bring his car too, so we can go back together..

[Sonny]

Hi guys,

Hope you had a good weekend.


I took the car to my uncle who is an ex-mechanic. He had this really cool bendy tornch and slid it past the passenger side headlamp and showed me the Power Steering Fluid reservoir. It had loads in it ...filled right to the top with green stuff.

I finally saw the symbols my dad was talking about before he went on holiday (and told me to fix by topping up with fluid) :

1. big RED exclamation ! mark and loud beeping

2. Above the ! is an AMBER symbol showing the picture of a steering wheel and an AMBER ! mark next to it.

3. The left dial (REV counter) has a symbol that is a AMBER coloured triangle with an AMBER circle around it. One 'end' of this circle is an arrowhead.

4. finally, on the speedometer dial, there is the word ABS wrtten in Amber.


Symbols 3 and 4 are pretty much on permanently...and 1 and 2 come on every couple of miles.

At one point, when i came back to the parked car and drove out of the parking bay, the steering definately felt EXTRA STIFF but then went back to normal and on the way home was fine.

First time I drove the car in ages. Principally, to take it to my uncle's to show him.


I guess I will have to book it into audi.

***Can anyone hazard a guess to whether this might cost and arm and a leg?

Do they charge to tell me what the problems(s) is/are and how much it will cost to fix it? Can they do this whilst I wait or do you think I have to leave it there overnight?

I really wanted to ge this sorted before my dad gets back. He has a bad heart and I didnt want him worrying about this as well as other stufff he has on his mind.

:(

Thank you very much

[spike]

Hi Sonny

There are a few possible causes for the heavy steering. Check out the link for more info
http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3358&highlight=stiff+steering.
Worst case is if the combined pump, controller and reservoir assy is on the way out as this is a 'two arms and a leg job'

Cheers Spike

[Sonny]

UPDATE



Well i left the car for 10 days. Not touched it.

Driven about 10 miles and no light are appearing. Wa-hey!

Hopefully they don't re-appear. If they do, my uncle said, rather than take it to audi...you're better off taking it off to someone who has the laptop that can connect to the car and let them tell you what they think is wrong with it.

Is there a list of reputable places in the country that can run these diagnostics apart from the actual dealers?

THANK YOU