MG ZR Power Steering

[LFB531]

I've posted this in the MG forum but it could apply to any 200/400 series car....

I've just swapped out a known good engine and ancillaries into a replacement ZR and all is well apart from the power steering. It (the pump) mutters away at tickover and positively groans when under load although it still seems to be working fine. I bled the system fully and there are no leaks, there's plenty of cavitation in the reservoir when under load though.

There was none of this in the old car even after the accident which brought it's demise.

I'm inclined to whip off the belt and run the engine without just to make sure it is the pump suddenly crying enough but wondered if I might be missing something more obvious. Any ideas out there?

Thanks, Duncan.

[oakdale]

LFB531 said:

I've posted this in the MG forum but it could apply to any 200/400 series car....

I've just swapped out a known good engine and ancillaries into a replacement ZR and all is well apart from the power steering. It (the pump) mutters away at tickover and positively groans when under load although it still seems to be working fine. I bled the system fully and there are no leaks, there's plenty of cavitation in the reservoir when under load though.

There was none of this in the old car even after the accident which brought it's demise.

I'm inclined to whip off the belt and run the engine without just to make sure it is the pump suddenly crying enough but wondered if I might be missing something more obvious. Any ideas out there?

Thanks, Duncan.

I think I've had this sort of problem with these in the past.
If it's the set up I remember, the reservoir is very low relative to the pump and as a result of this, a poor joint or loose clip on the large diameter hose will allow air in causing this sort of noise and cavitation.

[LFB531]

Thanks for the reply. Had a really good poke around but nothing obvious. Popped in to see some garage chums who scratched heads for a mo then put about a mugful of fluid into the reservoir which was already at the full mark. That cured it immediately! Seemes there is a fill pipe inside which has a neck almost at the same level as the fill mark on the outside.....doh!