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Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:30 pm
by 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
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 8:45 pm
by 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.

Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:01 pm
by 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
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:47 pm
by Bob
If you can see where its coming from some silicon Rescue Tape may help.
Available from Bongo Shop or likely local to you.
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2016 10:38 pm
by mikeonb4c
Could one of the power steering leak additives such as Wynns help maybe?
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:47 am
by monkey bongo
Hi and Thankyou, what would that do?..
No further leakage over night... So still have my fingers crossed..
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 8:53 am
by 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
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:00 am
by Bob
monkey bongo wrote: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.

Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 2:04 pm
by monkey bongo
Hi Bob,
If I can locate some do I just poor into the power steering reservoir?
Thx
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 2:38 pm
by Bob
Yes, no bleeding with the power steering.
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2016 4:05 pm
by mikeonb4c
monkey bongo wrote: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.
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:09 pm
by 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
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:45 pm
by monkey bongo
Really Gasy?.. Does that just soften up the seals?
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:53 pm
by 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
Re: Steering Fluid.. Loss.. Is it dangerous?
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 8:01 pm
by 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!!