Engine temp gauge / Power steering

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:09 pm

Ok I think i am going mad for one thing,
I was driving home today and everything felt diffent in my 1.4 16v 6n2.
I always think this so ignored it.
Suddenly my steering got stiff, and then a little more.
I look at the engine temp and it was on 0.
It suddenly went back up to mid way again.

Out driving again it does the same thing but does not rise.

My question(s) is.

Whats up with my power steering?
Is my temp gauge brocken, can i fix it, if not how much to get it done?

Do the two problems relate? ( im guessing not )

Thanks for the help guys.
Greatest forum for Polos ever

Post by **alexperkins** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:10 pm

Temp sender has gone. its an inexpensive part from a dealer or euro car parts and can be changed yourself for less than Â£20

As for the power steering, im afraid I cant help there, but im sure someone else can

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:11 am

Thanks for the reply

I now know what I need to buy, I am now trying to find a guide on how to fit this part.

The steering is really strange. Just this morning it felt fine. Power steering either works of it doesnt, right?

Could be a leak in the hose?

I really think its time to buy a haynes manual.

Cheers guys

BTW Alex PM Sent

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:31 pm

Temp sensor is easy to change, just don't forget to take off the metal clip engine side of the sensor! (i did and it cased alot of problems lol),
Do it on a cold engine aswell.

Sounds like you may have a leak, I had one on my old car, it was a nightmare.

First of all have a look in the bay and under the car to see if you can see a leak. If there is one you should also be able to smell it when the bonnets up (unless it's really small). IIRC the pipe leads around the back of the engine. Just follow it round from the PS fluid reservoir

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:45 pm

Hey thanks for the useful reply
I will remember those things when changing the unit

My steering is fine today so it could be a leak a guess but I have not noticed any stuff spilling out.

I am just so confused over this because I know I was not imagining it. My steering was about 40% tighter than usual.

If it was a leak however, I am guessing that once the fluid had spilled out the steering would not gain power again?

Cheers folks

Chris

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:55 pm

chrisjames wrote:
If it was a leak however, I am guessing that once the fluid had spilled out the steering would not gain power again?

No, it does. Mine did anyway. I think it's something to do with buidling up or decreasing of pressure. Once the fluid runs out though it will stay tight, and if you don't top it up or get it fixed, it'll brake the pump.

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:17 pm

it'll brake the pump

That bit worries me.

I thought, hey, I can just drive it like it was a racing car and get big muscles while I am at it

Ok if it goes again I will have to book it into a garage. Probs not something I should fix. Funny how problems all happen at once.

Thanks again

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:20 pm

I was pretty skint and had to wait a while for the part to get in, so I was driving mine around with the leak for a while. I kept topping the fluid up whenever I could and put a bucket underneath the car when I was parked for long periods of time.

Haha good ol'd days

Post by **alexperkins** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 11:10 pm

It probably needs three of four vacuum pipe repair kits. They often split behind the main block about 6 inches from the column itself. My GTI has had it repaired and all seems groovy now

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:21 pm

Ok all today seemed fine (2 hours of driving)

I guess it could still be brocken though.
My temp gauge is fine all day and cuts out at the same spot each day.

Its getting kinda weird

Anyway how much to repair power steering if I do need to?

Cost at garage
Cost at DIY but sounds a hard job

Cheers folks

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 1:16 pm

Ok I took some photos of a leak I have.

Could this be power steering fluid? If its not then I have another leak.

It is slightly red in colour and hardly smells of anything.
As you can see it is dripping onto the drive shaft gator on the passenger side.

What could this be?

Edit :just found out its coolant fluid. And now my fluid is low. It says this can happen due to over heating and a build up of pressure. Of course I wouldnt know when I have no temp gauge. Could all these problems be related I wonder.

Thanks folks

Chris

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:30 pm

Power steering fluid is red and has quite a sweet and distinctive smell. Open up the resevior and smell it.

Have you ahd your garage check it out yet?

chrisjames · Post by **chrisjames** » Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:28 pm

Im afraid not

A simple top up of fluid is all thats been done.
Its definitely colant fluid coming from above. My levels were a little low and I noticed it running down from there.

The power steering fluid is fine and I have had no further problems yet. I guess I am just trying to forget about that problem at the moment. If I put it in a garage I will be sure to get all things checked.

I was thinking my temp sender and colant levels might be related problems.

Thanks