D2 ACE & steering fluid problem

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Aeromole

Member
Posts
10
Location
Cornwall
Hi.
I just wondered if anyone has seen this before. 2002 D2, the ACE fluid seems to be transferring to the power steering side - ACE goes down, PS goes up! I know they are the reservoirs are in the same unit, but I understand that the two systems are otherwise separate.
My best guess at the moment is that there is a crack somewhere which allows the suction side of the steering pump to pull fluid from the ACE side.....plausible?
No work has been done to the system, and until this started appearing there were no obvious leaks.
Any ideas welcome! Thanks. Pete
 
Aeromole said:
Hi.
I just wondered if anyone has seen this before. 2002 D2, the ACE fluid seems to be transferring to the power steering side - ACE goes down, PS goes up! I know they are the reservoirs are in the same unit, but I understand that the two systems are otherwise separate.
My best guess at the moment is that there is a crack somewhere which allows the suction side of the steering pump to pull fluid from the ACE side.....plausible?
No work has been done to the system, and until this started appearing there were no obvious leaks.
Any ideas welcome! Thanks. Pete
Click to expand...
Tis weird.
Do the two halves of the reservoir eventually come to a rest at equal heights? Cos if not then there is a partial, and accidental, one way valve going on there. All pipes to and from the reservoir are completely separate.
At least I think so, cannot imagine why not.
When I had a leak in a low pressure pipe from the reservoir, the other side stayed at the same level as always.
There are massive opportunities for pipes to leak under the bonnet, through rubbing together or against other things. So many are in close proximity. This is what happened with me, they are accessible via the removable panels under the wheel arches so first thing, check all pipes for leaks. Both sides and insulate those rubbing and keep them away from one another.

Others will come on with more knowledge about how to check both sides for leaks. My PS is always covered in oil, but doesn't seem to leak.

Funnily I just had a look at mine and the level in my ACE part is higher then the PS part, but I think I probably have a slight leak in the PS. It6 is up to "max" and the other one is higher, so higher than it should be. :rolleyes:
 
Aeromole said:
Hi.
I just wondered if anyone has seen this before. 2002 D2, the ACE fluid seems to be transferring to the power steering side - ACE goes down, PS goes up! I know they are the reservoirs are in the same unit, but I understand that the two systems are otherwise separate.
My best guess at the moment is that there is a crack somewhere which allows the suction side of the steering pump to pull fluid from the ACE side.....plausible?
;.....
Click to expand...
not plausible at all... though it's possible to be a visual illusion as the ACE draws fluid to make up to 140 bar pressure into the rams while the PAS has a closed loop at much lower pressure... the two halves of reservoir are 100% separated so you can rest your mind IMO
 
Aeromole said:
Thanks guys. No, the ACE level went right down and the PS side went right up and overflowed. I'm now watching it very carefully. Paranoia has nothing on me!
Click to expand...
In that case I would detach all pipes, having syphoned out all fluid from the reservoirs.
Take the tanks off, clean it and examine it very carefully, with powerful light, filling it with water to see where it all flows. Then you might fins some sort of a crack.
You could use spare hose, plugs and hoseclips to keep the liquid in.

I am beginning to wonder if someone has accidentally swopped two hoses.
 
Ha, the old hose-swapping fairy has been at it again! Seriously the fluid was changed 2 years ago and nothing has been worked on in that area since. Looks like I will have to get my hands dirty....again!
 
Aeromole said:
Thanks guys. No, the ACE level went right down and the PS side went right up and overflowed. I'm now watching it very carefully. Paranoia has nothing on me!
Click to expand...
What @Stanleysteamer said, but first of all make sure that the return pipes are not connected wrong as the ACE return to be connected to the PAS and vice-versa cos then it can happen what you described cos the ACE flow is stronger so the return rate higher and the PAS can't pump at that speed hence the overflow.... i have the feeling that's your problem
 
Last edited:
I've been watching it carefully. The ACE level is dropping slowly, but I'm wondering if what I saw on the PS side was frothing as fluid returned (engine running). Whatever, the front ACE ram is covered in fluid now, so I think that is where the problem lies. I could change the ram myself, but the bleeding procedure (wheels in the air) looks daunting so it's booked into my local independent garage next week. It's only money....
 
Stanleysteamer said:
Take the tanks off, clean it
Click to expand...
Not to derail, but when I drained out the fluid in my PAS and ACE tanks the other week, I noticed that the plastic filter inside it was filled with black marks. I think they were on the underside (so not accessible via the top cap).

Is it worth cleaning those/how? Spray something in? Risk is that it breaks down the PAS fluid.

I'd like to avoid removing the whole assembly as I'm not thrilled about disconnecting all of the hoses...
 
MAF Diver said:
Not to derail, but when I drained out the fluid in my PAS and ACE tanks the other week, I noticed that the plastic filter inside it was filled with black marks. I think they were on the underside (so not accessible via the top cap).

Is it worth cleaning those/how? Spray something in? Risk is that it breaks down the PAS fluid.

I'd like to avoid removing the whole assembly as I'm not thrilled about disconnecting all of the hoses...
Click to expand...
I think if you want to clean it out you will need to disconnect the pipes and replace them. No real problem just label their p[ositions properly and then use new jubilee clips.
Then you can take it out and try simply washing it out with washing up liquid and water, blowing it dry, if that doesn't fix it then maybe brake cleaner? Then you can rinse it out again finally rinsing with ATF. The point is really to ensure it is clean and dry before proceeding, others use volatile liquids to do it apparently.
 
That's a great step-by-step! Will follow if I end up going down this route!

Stanleysteamer said:
I think if you want to clean it out you will need to disconnect the pipes and replace them.
Click to expand...
All new hoses you mean?

Stanleysteamer said:
Then you can take it out and try simply washing it out with washing up liquid and water, blowing it dry
Click to expand...
I'd love to do this, because look at the state of mine, but not sure I want to replace all those hoses and go through all of the steps of bleeding, etc.

res 2.jpg

res.jpg
 
MAF Diver said:
That's a great step-by-step! Will follow if I end up going down this route!


All new hoses you mean?


I'd love to do this, because look at the state of mine, but not sure I want to replace all those hoses and go through all of the steps of bleeding, etc.

View attachment 322781
View attachment 322782
Click to expand...
No, not new hoses, just put the old ones back in the correct order.
 
MAF Diver said:
Cheers! Good.

Do you know if the reservoir comes apart? Like if it's possible to get in there better to scrub that black stuff somehow?
Click to expand...
No I don't but as it has to hold fluid unless there are gaskets etc it wouldn't work if it wasn't whole. So no, I am pretty sure it doesn't come apart.
 
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