General: 2.0 D - loss of power steering

[ymc30]

Hi guys,

The car is an 07 plate C30 SE 2.0 D. I had a quick search yesterday on the forum about this topic but not much I've found.

Thursday night I got home w/o any issue and Friday morning when I fired up the engine I had no power steering and had the 'Power steering service required' message on the dashboard.

This morning I've:
- checked the oil level in the reservoir (fine)
- checked both connectors (have the proper voltage)
- checked the battery (12,5 V)
- checked the alternator (13,9 V- 14,1 V when headlights are on)
- checked both fuse boxes (but as the connectors have the proper voltage it was just for pure fun)

Anybody has any more suggestion? I'm on a holiday 1,000 miles away and don't like the idea of driving back without ps
Is there a way to actually test if the pump is working - ideally without making a huge mess with the oil?

Thanks

[cheshired5]

What's the colour and smell of your fluid?
Is the fluid bubbly or aerated?

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Is the fluid bubbly or aerated?

Should I run the engine a bit and/or make a short test drive before checking?

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by ymc30

Should I run the engine a bit and/or make a short test drive before checking?

A one minute drive with a couple of lock to lock turns will be sufficient.
Careful undoing the cap immediately afterwards as the system will (should) be pressurised.
You'll get a small hiss/pop.

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

A one minute drive with a couple of lock to lock turns will be sufficient.
Careful undoing the cap immediately afterwards as the system will (should) be pressurised.
You'll get a small hiss/pop.

Went for a small (2.5 miles) drive in town and removed the cup right away (after taking the headlight out) and there was NO hiss or pop. Also no bubbles and the colour is light green and seems quite clean.

[cheshired5]

Is the outside of the reservoir clean and dry?

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Is the outside of the reservoir clean and dry?

Yes, it was pretty much. On the cup there was some mist & dust as you would expect but nothing excessive and I reckon it was not disturbed since 2007 (last two years since I had it I definitely have not opened it)

[cheshired5]

If it's practical, there's no harm in removing and flipping the cap rubber seal to get a better contact and pressure seal.
Misting means something is escaping even if it's minor.
It may not solve your problem but it's a start.
Otherwise with no fluid loss yet still no assistance, it sounds like your pump may have seen better days.

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

it sounds like your pump may have seen better days.

yeah, I think so.
By the time I drove back I'll be like Popeye

[ymc30]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

it sounds like your pump may have seen better days.

Just a bit of update to make the thread useful for the future generations of Volvo owners

I think the problem was that for - at least - two years the headlamp washer was dripping windscreen washer liquid on the top of the pump. Two drops every minute. It actually started to erode the aluminium. The headlight washer or the hose wasn't broken but the seal ring on the washer jet was not sealing at all.

washer nozzle.png

Something to check on this weekend for SE owners...

That's how the pump looks like when you get desperate.
I mean really desperate...

IMG_20150413_150402_small.jpg

There is a pump on it's way I'll fit it tomorrow. Happy holidays huh?
It was a bit more expensive than back home but I will spare some dough on the cheaper dealership fee to switch my DRL off