I hope this finds everyone well. My first post here and I am hoping I can get some help.

I lost my job and started to drive Uber. I had a late mileage saab and it didn't last with full time driving. I picked up a V-8 Jag s type.... bought with 96k (for $1400) and have put 13k miles. All of a sudden today I had significant trouble trouble steering the wheel. It was the straightforward feel you get when power steering fluid is in need. I replaced it then 10 minutes later the fluid was gone...reservoir empty. I know nothing about cars..... but I was thinking that if the leak was so fast and the reservoir was empty it might not be the pump. Seems such a quick loss of fluid would mean a real hole somewhere like a hose..... Its a Sunday and I can't go to a mechanic until Monday. Additionally I can't afford a fix much above 100 bucks. TIMES ARE TOUGH......

While I knew it wouldn't repair a leak of any meaningful size - I added the lucas stop leak (their stop slip in my saab gave me another 5k on the transmission...fyi) and was hoping that it might be thick enough to have some kind of clotting effect....I know I know....again I don't know aything about cars.

I guess in the interim until Monday it would be great to set my expectations....I also want to go into the mechanic informed so I don't get taken for a ride.... Does this sound like a hose, pump, fitting.....I know its tough.....what can I do to figure it out and possibly fix it

Thx very much in advance for your help...its really a tough time and any meaningful insight would be awesome


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2004 S-Type (added by GGG)

 

Welcome to the forum Brian,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to S-Type forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some information about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

To get you started troubleshooting, here's the Power Steering System:


(double click on the image to enlarge it)

Most likely cause of a very rapid loss is a burst in the hose from the reservoir to the pump (item 2 to item 3) or one of the lines (item 5). A damaged cooler (item 4) could also result in rapid loss. leaking seals on either the pump (item 3) or the rack (item 6) aren't usually so dramatic.

Graham

 

Really appreciate your response.

It seems there are two hoses...with that said one is much more expensive than the other....which one is this likely to be?

 

I didnt look at thr diagram...I see its more than two hoses.....if it was so sudden would it likely be the set of what looks to be rubber like hoses rather than the lines.....

 

I could guess but the best bet is for someone to get underneath and have a look.
Don't forget that intro!

 

+1 on Norri's advice.


Bear in mind that older Jaguars are not inexpensive to repair and maintain, so unless you're able to 'DIY' the replacement of parts, it may be best to get a different vehicle until your situation improves.

 

Seems like the worst case scenario.....The fluid is pouring out of the rack....I learned you cannot replace seals on the rack.

I tried the stop leak formula by Lucas....it didn't work. Is there ANYTHING I can do to just slow down the leak?

The mechanic said the rack was 800...I am finding them online for roughly 200. He did say there were two kinds of chasiss that I need to make sure I get the right one...is this true?

 

Look at this link:
https://shop.rackdoctor.net/S-TYPE-SERIES_c190.htm


I have used this company for replacement steering racks, which are both affordable and dependable. The Technician looking at your car can tell you which is the correct one to order.

 

Also, bear in mind the vehicle is going to need a wheel alignment after replacing the rack assembly.



Hopefully the upper and lower front suspension ball joints are still serviceable.

 

Yes the replacement rack is the only fix. Forget replacing seals.


Steering racks are about $200-$800 maybe more at a dealer. You can get a cheap one off EBay and take it to your mechanic to save money?
Otherwise just let the mechanic do it.
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Can I continue to refill the reservoir and drive? The mechanic said yes,,, as in the fluid isnt't hurting anything

 

Yes but how fast is it leaking out?
Might be hard to outrun it?


Don't want to add a burned out P/S pump to your list of repairs!
Man that's some good pricing at Rack Doctor! I would use them.
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Quite fast.....within 30 minutes....I wish I could just slow it down with something.

 

Trying Lucas stop leak big bottle..32 fluid ounces..... and yes, I will probably try blue devil even though I KNOW I AM FLUSHING MONEY DOWN TH E TOILET

That said lucas transmisson stop slip was great....but even thinking about it logically its tough to imagine a fluid stopping a leak....

 

let me also say that this "I can't repair a leak but only replace the whole rack" business is absurd...... plug that ****...industrialized cement that leak...

 

It's not that you can't fix the leak? You can it's just cheaper and better to replace the rack as it's old and worn so how long would just a seal replacement last before something else went out?

What made it leak? Plus after you open up your old one now you have time and money in something that may have bigger problems and in the end need replacing anyway?

It's just about playing the odds and how much you can or can't do yourself. That's the real key. DIY your repairs.
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if its cheaper in the long run....I'll take short run cost savings. I bought the car cheap just to get me through a period of unemployment when my old saab 9-3 (hell I miss that car) crapped out.....The rack repair doesnt seem to be more than another car so im not mad at Jag... the 04 has only a little over 100k....

 

is there even such a thing as a seal replacement on this rack?

 

Typically, when the rack seals leak, the fluid ends up in the bellows that cover the inner tie rods. The teflon piston seal is most likely worn as well.



Usually what causes a steering rack to fail is an impact at some point to one of the wheels causing the rack piston to distort and cause wear to the housing or end seals.


There is no way to just stop the leak without also damaging the pump, as has been already mentioned. Constantly adding fluid is also not the answer as if the fluid finally gushes out and comes into contact with the exhaust pipes or catalyst, there is also a fire danger.


Have the steering rack replaced or get another vehicle.