Power Steering Fluid Lines

[Simon_td5]

Hi

I own a 1995 300 Tdi Discovery that has done 137k kms.

My Power Steering fluid lines, from the Power Steering Top Up Bottle to down under the engine, are covered in Power Steering fluid from a number of years of a very slow leak, from what looks like to be from around the hose clamp at the top of the line (underneath the bottle). Does that warrent changing the lines?

My dealer told me at the last service they needed replacing and that is the only reason why I can see that may be so. At $160 for replacement lines I am questioning their reasoning since up till now they have told me that the leak was nothing to worry about !

I am planning to degrease them and take a closer look at them. Will the wear and tear be obvious or should I just replace them at this age?

Any advice will be much appreciated !

Regards
Simon

[discowhite]

i put up with mine for a year like that.
dont pay 160 for the line. if its the larger of the two, just
take it off and go to a hose shop and get the same size
in ORTAC. this is a fuel/oil resistant hose. prob cost all of 20bucks.
i think its 5/8 hose from memory. i replaced mine with heater hose
1yr ago, its not the best to use, its starting to swell and go soft
because its not oil reststant.

one last thing, get the hose shop to supply you with some spiral armour
for the hose.

cheers phil

[sniperator]

Thanks for reminding me Simon i have the same prob with my 95 300tdi Defender.
I will take discowhites advice and get a new hose, i need some for other stuff too.Good tip with the spiral armour too. Thanks.

[101RRS]

My 94 disco was doing the same after about 5 years of age - try tightening the clamps first - I was thinking new pipes but a bit of a nip on the clamps did the trick - 6 years later and it still hasn't started to leak again - worth a try first up

The same happened to my Freelander - doesn't leak anymore

Gazz

[RichardK]

For Oil resistance you need a nitrile hose or can get away with neoprene although a shorter life.
If I remember I will look up the brands available tomorrow at work.

[DEFENDERZOOK]

they all do it......the PAS fluid hardens the hoses...they can be tightened one or twice to stop the leaks then they will eventually happen again....

it wont cause any harm as long as you dont run out of PAS fluid....it just makes a bit of mess easily cleaned up with a bit of degreaser....

i would tighten it then wash it and check it a week or two to see if it stops...
if it still leaks i would then replace the hose...

[Simon_td5]

Thank you all !

I figured it was another typical Landy thing. I will wash it this weekend and tighten the clamps up a bit and see how I go.

Regards
Simon

[CraigE]

If you are looking at getting bothe replaced, more so for the one with the pressed on fitting get hold of someone like Pirtek, Enzed or any hose service company. If you can take them off and take them to them it will be much cheaper than a call out. Next time you see one of the mobile vans have a chat with them. Should be a damn sight cheaper.

[cewilson]

Originally posted by CraigE
If you are looking at getting bothe replaced, more so for the one with the pressed on fitting get hold of someone like Pirtek, Enzed or any hose service company. If you can take them off and take them to them it will be much cheaper than a call out. Next time you see one of the mobile vans have a chat with them. Should be a damn sight cheaper.

Pirtek is a good bet. But definetely pull them off yourself though!