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No power steering in an 80 (1fz-fe) at idle. - fixed

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 6:38 pm
by BJ73
Was driving in the snow on Saturday when all of a sudden I had no power steering.

No visible damage to any steering components, but there was a bit of fluid that had escaped from the resevoir cap (i think).

Topped the resevoir up but it made no difference.

I've since bled the fluid, and there's no bubbles but I don't get any power steering assistance till the revs pick up to about 2 grand.

The manuals say check belt tension but I can't even see a pulley or belt goin to the pump, any ideas ?

Cheers

Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:43 pm
by crankycruiser
the power steer pumps on 1fz's are mounted into the front of the motor and drive off a cog, so there is no belt. if its working above 2k revs and it has fluid then id say ur pump is stuffed. they have a bad habit of spitting seals in the pump which then pump power steer fluid into ur motor.

Reco ones are a bit of a pain as well.. seems only 1 out of every 3 lasts.. i went thru 2 till i found a good one, and I know of a few others that had the same problem.

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:46 am
by Toy80Diesel
I had the same thing happen to my 80. I had changed the box because it was leaking and about a month after I had the same problem. At idle, no assistance and when I revved it up, I got assistance. I then had to change the pump. I got a steering place to do both, so I got a warranty, but I haven't had a problem in the 3 or so years since.

Also, they added an inline filter to pick up anything in the oil.

Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:11 pm
by mutilated
Had same thing recently, I replaced the seals in the box and the pump and found that the vanes in the pump were worn excessively. Put a new pump on and it worked very well. Repco do exchange units that are very good.

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:04 pm
by BJ73
Swapped the pump over today with one from the spare (buggered) engine that came with my car. Problem solved.

Thanks for the replies

Hey mutilated and Toy80, how much did your reco pumps cost ? I'm thinking about rebuilding the one I've just taken out or swapping it over for a reco one so i've got a spare for next time.

Cheers