Strange Power Steering Issue Mondeo Mk3 2.0 TDCi

Irish_Tom

Irish_Tom

Irish_Tom

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The steering on my MY54 Mondeo Mk3 2.0 TDCi has gone very stiff at low speed and when the engine is on tick-over.

The second I give it any revs the steering loosens up again and it's fine when I'm moving.

I've been googling for similar issues and there are a lot of threads on TalkFord about PAS issues but nothing seems to match my symptoms exactly.

For instance:

I don't think the pump is failing because I had to change it in November 2011. It's less than 20k miles old and works as soon as I apply the throttle. It's also not making the tell-tale wookiee noise that would suggest it's dying.

I don't think it's the fluid or an air lock because the fluid was changed with the pump, it's clean and doesn't appear to have any bubbles in it. It's also lying perfectly between the min and max lines in the reservoir.

Ford replaced the water pump/PAS belt back in January of this year so unless it's stretched and the tensioner isn't working this shouldn't be a problem. It's not making any slipping noises and a visual inspection didn't show anything obviously wrong with it.

I don't think it's related to the water pump because the engine hasn't been unusually hot and it certainly isn't overheating.

It may be a coincidence but the pipe connecting the EGR valve and the intercooler recently developed a split which has been covering the area around the EGR valve in a thick black mess. However, this is on the other side of the engine bay to the PAS pump and belt so I'm not sure how relevant it is.

This split has caused some engine related issues like excessive black exhaust smoke and 'stuttering' between 1,800–2,000 RPM but none of the threads I've read regarding these issues have suggested anything about it being linked to PAS failure.

In some ways it would be a relief if it was connected to the split in the pipe. The service in which Ford changed the water pump/PAS belt came to over £1,000, then I got the split in the EGR pipe and now the PAS has gone funny. The start of 2013 has been a bit relentless with this car. :(

Has anyone had a similar experience? I know quite a few members have or had a Mondeo.

Cheers for any advise you can give.
 
That's an old Mondeo if it's Manufacturing Year was '54!

If the fluid level isnt dropping then it's either a failing pump, or a problem with the rack.
 
It can't be a fault, Mondeos are 100% bomb proof. :p

Over a grand bill on a '54 Mondeo for a water and PAS pump change? Three clutch changes and a set of hydraulics were less than that on my ZS including labour!
 
Check out 1002 & 1005! - http://www.powerracksdirect.co.uk/technical-database.html#2

Personally I would try changing the reservoir as the filter may be blocked - from 1005 - "These particles are held in suspension in the power steering fluid and are carried around the system until they are collected in the filter at the bottom of the power steering reservoir."

Maybe the filter could be blocked from the old pump that was changed? This would make sense as when you increase the revs you are also increasing the pressure in the PS system (hence it working correctly indicated a partial blockage somewhere). According to Haynes it's only 3 bolts to undo and then the reservoir lifts off from the PS pump. Secondhand ones are £10 on the bay or just buy a new one from Frauds.

If that worked, but then it started again, then I would look at the steering rack as the possible cause.
 
Last edited:
mattyprice4004 said:
It can't be a fault, Mondeos are 100% bomb proof. :p

Over a grand bill on a '54 Mondeo for a water and PAS pump change? Three clutch changes and a set of hydraulics were less than that on my ZS including labour!
Click to expand...

Nah, the PAS pump was done back in November 2011. The £1,000 bill was January 2013 and included a major service, MOT, brake pads, rear bushes, wheel hub and the PAS belt. Ford prices mind, so could have been cheaper.

barrie0 said:
Check out 1002 & 1005! - http://www.powerracksdirect.co.uk/technical-database.html#2

Personally I would try changing the reservoir as the filter may be blocked - from 1005 - "These particles are held in suspension in the power steering fluid and are carried around the system until they are collected in the filter at the bottom of the power steering reservoir."

Maybe the filter could be blocked from the old pump that was changed? This would make sense as when you increase the revs you are also increasing the pressure in the PS system (hence it working correctly indicated a partial blockage somewhere). According to Haynes it's only 3 bolts to undo and then the reservoir lifts off from the PS pump. Secondhand ones are £10 on the bay or just buy a new one from Frauds.

If that worked, but then it started again, then I would look at the steering rack as the possible cause.
Click to expand...

Great find, thanks!

It certainly sounds like 1002. Bit of a ball-ache that the current pump has only lasted 18k miles but as you say, it could be down to the death of the old pump.

I might try flushing the current fluid to see if there's any contamination. Like I said, it appears to be clean at the top of the reservoir but maybe the particles are suspended lower down or (as you said) stuck in the filter.
 
Hey, I am not sure on the Mk3, but I know on the older mondeo's there used to be a faulty with the power steering pressure switch, which is responsible for picking up the revs when at idle and low speed. This switch used to go faulty and would cause the revs not to pick up and, back then the engine used to cut out.

I am wondering if the switch is faulty and when you rev it the load is not so much on the engine so works easier, but at low revs the engine aint providing the extra power from the RPM. This is just a theory mind.
 
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