Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?

[monkey bongo]

Stuck in France for two weeks on holiday and leaking fluid under the Bongo!!
A garage identified a leaking steering joint and refilled an almost empty power steering reservoir.
If I keep this topped up will it be ok to drive home?(500km)..
What happens if it runs dry and the power steering goes.. Can I still steer?. With effort?
Help appreciated
Monkey bongo

[Bob]

Hi, and welcome.

If you can keep topping up you should be OK.

If you run with it dry you will be able to steer but it will be VERY hard work and you will damage/destroy the pump, this may do more harm like catching fire.

Sorry to hear of your problem, good luck.

[monkey bongo]

Thanks Bob!, will monitor closely until I get it home!!!.. It's not gushing out!, maybe it get worse on a long journey!!.. Fingers crossed

[Bob]

If you can see where its coming from some silicon Rescue Tape may help.

Available from Bongo Shop or likely local to you.

[mikeonb4c]

Could one of the power steering leak additives such as Wynns help maybe?

[monkey bongo]

Hi and Thankyou, what would that do?..
No further leakage over night... So still have my fingers crossed..

[mikeWalsall]

Power steering / auto gearbox 'Stop leak' may help as it softens hardened 'rubber' seals ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from= ... k&_sacat=0

[Bob]

Hi and Thankyou, what would that do?..
No further leakage over night... So still have my fingers crossed..

You might find it only leaks when running, ie under pressure.

The product recommended has to be worth a try.

[monkey bongo]

Hi Bob,
If I can locate some do I just poor into the power steering reservoir?
Thx

[Bob]

Yes, no bleeding with the power steering.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Bob,
If I can locate some do I just poor into the power steering reservoir?
Thx

Have a google for instructions on use. This stuff has been around for years and i seem to recall other Bongo owners finding it effective. Must be known on the continent and available from motor factors.

[Gasy]

A couple of cap fulls of BRAKE FLUID into the steering fluid res will do the same job as the leak stop stuff
And is a lot more readily available
In an emergency
That's a years old tried and tested get you home solution

[monkey bongo]

Really Gasy?.. Does that just soften up the seals?

[Gasy]

Yes
Soft ends and swells the rubber seals
Been used by loads of peeps for years
Obviously not a permanent repair same as the leak stop
Leak stop is prob b rake fluid in a different bottle with a diff price tag

[monkey bongo]

Gasy, I see it swells all the seals.. Would it mean I have to replace all the seals in the power steering when I get back. Or would a couple of capfuls limit this.
I know.. I know in an emergency I will have todo!!