Discovery 2 Power Steering

[paulhbowen]

Hello All,

I have owned a 2000 Discovery 2 for 2 years now. The power steering has always made a noise I have added 10,000 miles to it and the noise is still there no change. I do notice that the fluid going back into the reservoir, does so at quite a rate of knots and as such I would think puts air back into the tank. This is directly over the suction line. I would suspect this causes pump cavitation. Should the return line contain a flow restricter that could be missing? or is this normal?

Thanks for any help
Paul.

 

[joey]

What you are saying is normal as far as the flow goes.... what noise do you hear and when? If when turning do you have ACE? If so it is the ACE making noise.

 

[paulhbowen]

Thanks for the reply

Joey,

My vehicle is not fitted with ACE. The noise is like a whirring, it is more prominent when turning the wheel and whilst on "full lock". It does sound like pump cavitation. The level is loud enough to be heard above all engine noise at upto 2000RPM. Hope this helps and thanks again.

Paul.

 

[joey]

How many miles on the Disco and have you ever flushed or at least tried to change the PS fluid... like all fluids it is best to change them once in a while.

 

[paulhbowen]

Thanks again

Joey,

The vehicle has 126K on it and I have not tried a fluid change. I have added only 6K of the total but although the vehicle is very clean I would doubt it has been changed or flushed. I'll try this, anything I should know before I do?

Paul.

 

[joey]

Do you have the Rave CD? If not download it.... it is worth its files size in gold if you own a rover....

 

[Disco Mike]

So with your mileage, I would ask how mechanical are you? I would suggest you start doing a full service on that truck before it turns around and bites you from lack of maintance.
Here is a list I put together, consider doing it all to get your truck current.
1 Oil filter, K&N 3001 or Mobil 1- 301
1 Factory air filter
6 Qts. of engine oil
2 feet of 3/16th vacuum tube
2 feet of 5/16th vacuum tube
12 Qts. of ATF
7 Qts. of 80/90W synthetic gear oil, 85W/140 for HD use
3 Pints of synthetic DOT 4 Brake fluid
2 Qts of synthetic Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of OAT, orange coolant, also called DexCool
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb. Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platinum Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt
2 Bottles of SeaFoam gas additive
1 T/Stat
1 bottle of WaterWetter or Purple Ice
Hoses and belts, as necessary

60,000 Mile Service or Major Service for High Mileage Used Vehicle just purchased

Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

Hopefully I didn't leave anything out.

If you want me to walk you thru this and your p/s problem let me know, and if you send me your number I'll call you.
Also, just so you know, a neglected Rover will break your piggy bank in the worst possible ways.

 

[paulhbowen]

Service

Mike,

Bleed the brakes - Done new discs/pads and pistons
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat - Fluid change but not theromstat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil - Done
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter - Done
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc. - Done most OK

I think I can handle most of the other work, when it gets a bit warmer, I am concerned about the transmission overhaul, how detailed is this? I have the Rave CD. There is a leak around both rocker covers, is this worth looking at, I lose about 1 pint of oil every 2,000 miles or so. There seems to be only 4 bolts holding each cover so would doubt they would create a leak free seal for very long anyway, Brings back memories of an 2.0L Opel Manta I had must have changed the rocker gasket 4 times before getting to a cast aluminium cover to finialy seal.

Thanks for you input
Paul.

 

[Disco Mike]

Send me your number and lets talk.

 

[paulhbowen]

Service

Mike,

Thanks for the advice, I am off to Mexico in the next week for 3-4 weeks work (Freightliner providing an RTLS (component tracking system)).

I'll get in touch when I return and get prepared to do this work.

Thanks again
Paul.