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The mkiv Supra Owners Club

Help needed, strange symptoms with power steering (with videos)


Al Massey

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So, this mainly started this morning and it's got me baffled.

 

Symptoms.

A few days ago, steering started to get hard, but was intermittent.

This morning, every time I move the steering wheel for a turn, steering goes hard and the red oil light comes on then extinguishes.

Once warm it's fine.

 

I pulled over, checked oil, looked low, went to top up but only had 0.5 litres in can so drove to garage.

 

Problem seemed to disappear, checked oil, all was fine.

Check power steering reservoir and was full, however fluid is very dark.

Bought some just in case.

 

Left work, same symptoms until warm and then disappeared.

 

Got home, and whilst still running and very hot, turn wheel and it becomes very hard and same light comes on.

Let go of wheel and it extinguishes. (Video below)

Check power steering reservoir again, still full but this time it appears to be bubbling, like if something was boiling or air was in the system. (Video below)

 

Recent history.

Within the past few weeks I've done a bit of work.

4 weeks ago - Fitted a turbo blanket

3 weeks ago - Changed spark plugs

2 week ago - Made and fitted air filter shield

1 week ago - Removed bumper due to catching it on a kerb, whilst off I removed the inter cooler and pipes for a clean, noticed the radiator was extremely dirty so washed off, no pressure, and the fan that sits in front of the AC condenser was hanging off, so removed it but cut the wires in the process, didn't think much to it as I was removing it.

Had to undo and move the power steering pipes out of the way but placed back.

 

Every since that the steering has been intermittent and got worse today.

 

Sorry for the big write up, just trying to be as thorough as possible with all details on the off chance it's something I did.

 

Videos

Steering and oil light

https://vimeo.com/108924037

Power steering fluid bubbling

https://vimeo.com/108924277

General video of engine running/idling with possible hunting?

https://vimeo.com/108924363

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In the first instance clean the filter - it's like a Brillo pad inside the reservoir , this gets clogged and stops fluid getting to the pump , hence no return flow (bubbles)

To clean the filter you need to take the reservoir off and fill /shake with a solvent , it's a good time to replace the fluid too .

I've had this on 3 cars each time it cured the problem , bonus , as it's the cheapest too .

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In the first instance clean the filter - it's like a Brillo pad inside the reservoir , this gets clogged and stops fluid getting to the pump , hence no return flow (bubbles)

To clean the filter you need to take the reservoir off and fill /shake with a solvent , it's a good time to replace the fluid too .

I've had this on 3 cars each time it cured the problem , bonus , as it's the cheapest too .

 

Cheers, I will give that a try tomorrow

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What "oil light" comes on? I would check carefully which light is really coming on, and also do the Tipex test on the crank damper outer pulley. I suspect it's come unbonded.

 

It's funny you should mention that.

 

It is the red oil light far right one, that is oil pressure?

 

I broke down this morning, no charge from alternator, AA have came out and on closer inspection it does look like the crank damper has failed, as when turning the wheel, the pulleys seem to slow down.

 

So maybe the alternator hasn't gone and it's just the crank damper failing so no turning fast enough.

 

I'm guessing your thoughts would be the same?

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The light that may have come on was a no charge light, but Supra dash displays do odd things with low voltage input. Needs a new damper, I see Paul is here, he's the man for discounted ones. Jerky power steering is one of the ways a slipping crank damper drive pulley manifests itself.

 

Cheers.

Well I'm glad it broke down before the damper went flying.

 

And really glad for this forum :)

 

 

Cheers Paul

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